If there is one thing that the Hunter Valley is known for, it is the range of wines that are produced there. But not only are there several prize winning drops waiting for you to sample them, there are plenty of other things to do and see as well. To make your stay truly memorable, there are plenty of Hunter Valley resorts that offer special packages to visitors to the region.
Located merely 120 kilometres north of Sydney and 50 kilometres from Newcastle, you can quickly and easily access the region. For wine lovers and gourmands, golfers, hikers and home chefs, a getaway to the Hunter offers untold delights.
There are several different wineries and vineyards throughout the area that produce prize winning semillon, shiraz, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir wines. You can sample these fine drops by taking part in winery tours or by dropping by for cellar door tastings. Some of the wineries in the region that offer cellar door tasting include: Oakvale, Peacock Hill, Pepper Tree, Peterson’s, Poole’s Rock and many others.
Many of the wineries also have onsite dining and restaurants where you can combine the very best of locally made wines with some of the region’s freshest produce. One of the newest onsite restaurants can be found at Tallavera Grove and the menu takes advantage of the wide variety of locally grown goods and organic produce. Drayton Wines, which is a fifth generation cellar sells many locally produced good such as tapenade, dukkah and oils and serves up a killer devonshire tea.
In order to make the most of the rich produce in the region, there are many cooking schools that are based there. Some of these schools will teach you how to make the best use of organic ingredients and you can pick up a tip or two in relation to cooking some of the best Australian fusion dishes around.
The landscape and scenery throughout the area is also sublime and there are several national parks in the region that you can visit and explore. Among these are the Mount Royal National Park, Goulburn River National Park, Myall Lakes National Park, Barrington Tops National Park and Werakata National Park. Barrington Tops is part of the World Heritage Site of Gondwana Rain Forests of Australia.
If you are partial to a golf round or two, then you will be delighted by the array of world class golf courses that are offered in the area. The stunning landscapes as well as the designs of the courses make this a fun place to tee off. After a stressful day of sporting and dining engagements a trip to a day spa may be just what the doctor ordered. There are plenty of luxurious spas offering all the beauty and relaxation treatments you can imagine.
A holiday to the Hunter Valley offers a romantic combination of experiences: it is no wonder that it is one of the country’s most popular vacation destinations. There are many wonderful Hunter Valley resorts around the region offering excellent facilities and specially priced packages. With the revitalising blend fresh country air, good food and relaxing things to do, you will leave with a fresh take on life and pleasant memories.
John Bryce-Thornton came to the region along with a delight for writing about red wine and also fine foods. He eventually made the decision he’d found out his spot in life and set about organising his very own Hunter Valley accommodation which he now carries on for all those holidaymakers to the district.