Free Guide: Local’s Favourites
Cafes & Coffee
The Deck Cafe
Fine-dining breakfast and tapas, on a stunning dam and bushland location — need we say more? The Deck Cafe provides top quality meals seven days a week, with a mouth-watering selection of beverages and gourmet coffee.
Cafe Enzo
This captivating and enchanting cafe serving Italian-style food and drinks is notable for its charming courtyard where guests can unwind and enjoy a unique ambience. Serving up a range of dishes made with locally grown produce, Cafe Enzo is sure to satisfy your appetite.
Fawk Foods
A casual venue serving up delicious barista-made coffee, with all day breakfast and other goodies on offer. Stop by for a taste of their delicious sourdough and other delicacies from the Fawk Foods bakery.
Lovedale Smokehouse and Cafe
This artisan smokehouse specialises in charcuterie and barbecue, with lovely indoor and outdoor seating areas to enjoy. Take in the water features and French architecture while enjoying a variety of house-made smoked produce.
Restaurants
EXP Restaurant
This interactive restaurant hosts a unique dining experience with its kitchen on full display. Watch the chefs work their magic while you enjoy seasonal produce in a range of flavourful Australian-cuisine dishes.
Oishii
When the mood for Japanese and Thai food arises, Oishii is where you want to be. This charming venue serves up a wide range of delectable dishes that will leave you coming back for more.
Indian at Hunter
Many mouthwatering Indian dishes we all know and love are served up exquisitely in this local favourite food spot. Offering both dine-in and delivery services, you can’t go wrong with this fan favourite choice for dinner.
Leaves and Fishes
Enjoy seafood with an Asian kick at this cozy, atmospheric lunch and dinner restaurant. Enjoy Hunter Valley wines and vineyard views as you relax in this beautiful modern eatery.
Lovedale Bar & Restaurant Crowne Plaza
Classic meal options and bar favourites meet scenic views and award winning beverages on tap at this beloved Lovedale spot. Crowne Plaza’s alfresco dining area provides sunset views over the Brokenback Mountain Range; the perfect spot to sit back and relax.
Pubs & Clubs
Foghorn Brewery
This large craft brewery features an industrial-chic setting with New York-style pizza and an American menu. The beers served at Foghorn Brewery are brewed on site from start to finish and served cold in this award winning brewpub.
Harrigan’s Irish Pub
This local favourite is known to keep the party going. Offering a comfortable burger bar, relaxing indoor/outdoor bistro, and lively action-packed sports bar, pop in and enjoy the live music, events, and daily specials at Harrigan’s.
Vincent Street Bar
Casual drinking and dining is elevated at this stylish restaurant and bar venue. Offering crowd pleasing favourites with extra flair, Vincent Street Bar is a highly recommended location for a house-made cocktail or indulgent meal inspired by global flavours.
Cessnock Leagues Club
This newly renovated location includes a comfortable bistro and cafe, a relaxing kick-back lounge bar, and a bustling sports bar. Catch a sports game, enjoy a get-together, or check out the live entertainment at this local attraction, perfect for any time of day.
Peden’s Hotel Cessnock
Friendly, traditional, and local — with value lunches, delicious dinners, a variety of beers on tap, and many Hunter Valley wines ready to be poured, Peden’s Hotel is an enjoyable venue to take in some regional flavours.
Royal Federal Hotel Branxton
This classic country pub steeped in local history is always ready to welcome new visitors. Savour wood-fired pizzas, pub favourites, mouth-watering locally sourced steaks, and a large selection of tap beers while enjoying a game of pool or catching the live music.
Wollombi Tavern
Old fashioned hospitality in a historic colonial village. Offering an a-la-carte menu as well as bar favourites, this rustic, cozy, and friendly pub is sure to be a highlight.
Afterwards
Binnorie Dairy
The ultimate source for your dream cheese platter — the selection of gourmet cheese, salami, and pantry items at Binnorie Dairy will leave your face smiling and your stomach full. Pop in for tastings or a coffee and meal at this Hunter Valley staple.
Sabor Dessert Bar
Chocoholics, pay attention: get ready to indulge in a decadent range of desserts while soaking in views of the beautiful vineyard that is home to Sabor Dessert Bar. With a selection of creative, fun-shaped (and sometimes flaming!) dishes and sweets, this treat-yourself food stop backed by a stunning mountain range is not one to be missed.
The Smelly Cheese Shop
This artisan cheesemaker is ready to impress with their globally sourced cheese selections, Cheese Master Classes, and awe-inspiring Maturing Room. Stop by this shop for an excellent retail selection along with many opportunities to enjoy a full cheese-loving experience with the passionate experts at The Smelly Cheese Shop.
Hunter Valley Chocolate Company
Belgian chocolates and decadent fudge are crafted onsite at this unmissable, high-quality chocolate shop. With a great selection of chocolate treats blended with Australian dried fruit and nuts, everyone will find something drool-worthy at this legendary Hunter Valley attraction.
Wineries
Allandale Winery
Stop by this exquisite cellar door for delectable wine tastings on a dreamy vineyard. Offering group bookings as well as walk-ins, enjoy Allandale’s variety of regional wines while you soak in endless vineyard views backed by the Brokenback Mountain Range.
Tatler Wines
A range of boutique wines are made on-site at this fun venue. Tatler Wines produces small-volume, high-quality wines with all the precision and care they are proud to teach you about at this exciting wine tasting location.
Capercaillie Wines
This winery is known for its many award-winners across its range of red, white, and sparkling wines. Enjoy premium wines guided by knowledgable staff, with ingredients sourced from vineyards across Australia.
Comyns & Co
Rustic-chic meets contemporary and cozy in this modern farmhouse-styled cellar door. Led by a husband and wife team, Comyns & Co provides fun wine tastings and great photo opportunities in an endearing, memorable venue.
Becker Wines
With a distinctive philosophy of creating wines that reflect the unique character of the vineyards, Becker Wines is an excellent choice to enjoy passionately crafted winemaking in a beautiful location.
Brokenwood Wines
This special winery aims to do two things: make great wine and have fun. This iconic Australian label offers tastings and winery tours at this jaw-dropping, architecturally stunning venue — it’s simply not one to be missed.
Matilda Bay Brewhouse
This boutique brewhouse offers craft beer tastings next to a view of its original brewing facilities. Try out a range of expertly crafted brews to suit all favour profiles; a great switch up through your many Hunter Valley wine tastings.
Hunter Distillery
Let yourself be guided through an amusing Vodka and Gin tasting tour with unique sense of humour and vibrancy. With a huge range of spirit flavours, from sweet to spicy and everything in between, Hunter Distillery is a great place to pick up your favourite drinkable souvenir.
What To Do
Ubika Spa Crowne Plaza
This sanctuary offers rest, relaxation, and ultimate treat-yourself services in the heart of wine country. Level up your Hunter Valley vacation with a spectacular range of spa, beauty, and massage services.
Hunter Valley Gardens
With many inspiring garden features with various themes, Hunter Valley Gardens is a great location for some jaw-dropping relaxation while surrounded by nature. This attraction offers all kinds of fun events for the whole family, year-round and always changing.
Hunter Valley Zoo
Animal encounters, picnic grounds, daily shows and more add to the all-encompassing excitement of Hunter Valley Zoo. Meet all the adorable animals at this local favourite, family-fun location.
Beyond Ballooning
Experience the Hunter Valley from above. Beyond Ballooning’s hot air balloon rides offer breathtaking views of vineyards as far as the eye can see. Experience ultimate peace and serenity as you float above the memorable scenery with your group of any size.
Hunter Valley Horses
Enhance your Hunter Valley experience with horseback riding and horse-drawn carriage wine tours. Hunter Valley Horses provides unique ways to experience a wine tour, ensuring it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
Majors Lane Cooking School
This outdoor, vineyard-based cooking school offers cooking classes for a wide range of international cuisines and dishes. Offering both individual and group bookings, this experience is an excellent way to learn new skills while taking in the refreshing outdoor air of the Hunter Valley.
Sutton Estate Wine Escape Room
Wine tasting with a major twist — make your escape by analyzing clues and solving puzzles in this interactive wine-themed escape room. This attraction provides a unique Hunter Valley perspective on the exhilarating escape room concept.
Go Karts Go Hunter Valley
Fun for all ages happens here: with a large 850-metre Go Kart track and ultra-fast karts, plus an additional putt-putt golf course and archery range, Go Karts Go Hunter Valley ensures the entertainment is never-ending.
Adventure Center Hunter Valley
Calling all thrill-seekers — Adventure Center Hunter Valley offers horse riding, electric bike hire, Segway tours, wine and beer tasting, candy making, pizza making, grape stomping, barrel rolling and more.
Play Golf
The Vintage Golf Club
Luxurious golfing at its finest: boasting an 18-hole championship golf course and extravagant clubhouse, as well as golfing lessons and a driving range, The Vintage Golf Club is among the best golf courses in Australia.
Oaks Cypress Lakes Golf Club
This golf club offers a beautiful course among stunning scenery, featuring a lavish country club along with facilities including restaurants, bars, pools, and tennis courts.
Hunter Valley Golf and Country Club
This expansive 18-hole course is situated along endless rows of green vines. Capture the Hunter Valley spirit while you make your way through this championship course, which also boasts a country club and pro shop.
Aqua Golf and Putt Putt
In this family-fun version of golf, your ball is meant to hit the water! Grab a bucket of golf balls and hit them far and wide to win prizes from a variety of Hunter Valley wineries, restaurants, and attractions.
Stonebridge Golf Club
Named after its picturesque stone bridge feature on the golf course, this scenic 18-hole course is extra appealing with its beautiful lake backdrop. This local favourite course also includes a golf shop, cafe, and bar overlooking the 18th green.
Tour Companies
All Around the Vines
Hiring a private tour bus is one of the best ways to experience the Hunter Valley’s many exciting wineries, and All Around the Vines does it well — they know how to carry out a lively tour and hit iconic local spots. Services include golf tours and transfers.
iHop Hunter Valley
Providing both day and night tours to a variety of regional gems including wineries, dining venues, brewhouses, shopping villages, and more, iHop Hunter Valley will ensure you see all the unmissable spots. With a wide range of tours on offer, you will be able to find the perfect service for your group.
Hunter Trikes
A relaxing, beautiful outdoor ride is made possible through Hunter Trikes’ fascinating trike tours. With options for wine tasting tours, sunset tours, picnic cruises, and much more, trike tours are an excellent option for a leisurely Hunter Valley experience.
Hunter Valley Classic Carriages
It doesn’t get more charming than a horse-drawn carriage ride through wine country. Hunter Valley Classic Carriages offers tours, picnics, and private charters to add some unforgettable magic to your trip.
Vineyard Shuttle
With knowledgable staff and personalised service, Vineyard Shuttle’s flexible packages are an excellent choice for hopping from winery to winery around the region. Your wine tour will be safe in Vineyard Shuttle’s experienced hands.
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