Hunter Valley Hot Air Balloon

The joyous fun of a Hunter Valley hot air balloon ride

The Hunter Valley has plenty to offer aside from vineyard hopping: it is a truly spectacular region of rolling hills, temperate forests and delectable produce. Whether you’re hiking the gorgeous trails at Barrington Tops National Park, gazing upon fine art at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery or taking part in a local cooking class, the Hunter Valley is full of fun that everyone can enjoy!

Given the Hunter Valley is an area of such significant beauty, it’s only natural that it is the perfect place for a sunrise hot air balloon ride! It’s the best way to take in the valley’s lush hills, fields and forests, as well as plenty of hopping kangaroos. The sunrise hot air balloon ride is ideal for special occasions, and is a great thing to do when you’re not having a couple of wines at one of the valley’s world class vineyards.

A hot air balloon ride should be part of any Hunter Valley itinerary, which should also include these special activities…

• A gourmet cooking class

  Ever wanted to learn how to cook like a pro? The Hunter Valley is the ultimate place to do it! The Hunter Valley is a world class food destination, with sumptuous cheeses, chocolates, honey and (obviously) grapes all produced in the region, and you have the opportunity to cook with these local delights.

  The Hunter Valley Cooking School and Majors Lane Cooking School both offer amazing classes, using local ingredients to provide fun, action-packed odes to food.

  Of course, you get to eat your cooking at the end.

• Hiking at Barrington Tops National Park

  Barrington Tops National Park is replete with gorgeous wetlands and woodlands, making it a wonderful place to work off that gourmet food and fine wine. Take either the Aeroplane Hill Walking Track or the Antarctic Beech Forest Walking Track, both offering plenty of lush scenery of huge fern trees and thick mossy floors.

• Fine art at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery

  The wine isn’t the only thing that’s fine in the Hunter Valley: the Maitland Region Art Gallery houses works by some of Australia’s most revered artists, including those of Australia’s most famous painter, Sidney Nolan. The gallery houses works that are mostly done on paper, but there are also installations, photographs, sculptures and more!