Dave's Travel & Events Grains and Grapes from Newcastle

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A full day in the Hunter Valley from Newcastle for people who like both wine and beer: tastings at small family wineries, a local distillery's gin and liqueurs, wine with local cheeses, lunch with a drink, and a final choice of wine with chocolate or a paddle of Hunter craft beers.

Days

Full day, about 9:45am to 5pm

Age

18 years and over

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Cameron Park, Newcastle / Hunter Valley / Cameron Park
Cameron Park, around 5pm

Return

Cameron Park, around 5pm

Transport

Small tour vehicle from Cameron Park, Newcastle

Meals

One-course lunch with one drink

Route

Map of Dave's Travel & Events Grains and Grapes from Newcastle

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Included experiences

Family winery — vineyard or production tour and first tasting
Winery lunch — shared plates or wood-fired pizza with a drink
Family distillery — gin, vodka and liqueur tasting
Cheese and wine — a tasting with local cheeses
Final stop — wine with chocolate or a craft beer paddle

Dave's Travel & Events Grains and Grapes from Newcastle

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: CAMERON PARK TO THE VINES

The day starts at about 9:45am at the Ampol service station on Stenhouse Drive, Cameron Park, on the western edge of Newcastle. From there it's about an hour's drive in a small tour vehicle into the Hunter Valley, past the coal towns of the lower Hunter and on into wine country. Newcastle grew up on coal: the first shipments left its harbour in 1799, and it is still one of the largest coal ports in the world. By mid-morning you swap that history for rows of vines.

FIRST WINERY: BEHIND THE SCENES

The first stop is a small family winery. Before you taste anything, your guide takes you out into the vineyard, into the production area or both, so you see where the grapes grow and how they become wine. The Hunter Valley is Australia's oldest wine region, planted in the 1820s, and its hot, humid summers make it an odd place for vines. The answer is an early harvest, which gives the valley's famous Semillon: light and zesty when young, golden and toasty after ten years in the bottle. Then it's your first tasting.

MIDDAY: LUNCH AT A WINERY

Lunch is usually at the second winery: a one-course café-style meal, often a shared lunch or wood-fired pizzas and salads, with a glass of wine, a beer or a soft drink. Beer is never compulsory on this tour, but if you like it, here's your first chance. Take your time. Much of the valley floor around Pokolbin is vineyard, and the Brokenback Range, part of the Great Dividing Range, rises above the vines to the west.

AFTERNOON: GIN, CHEESE AND THE LAST POUR

After lunch you call at a family distillery's cellar door to taste gin, vodka and liqueurs. Next comes a second wine tasting matched with local cheeses, with the staff suggesting which wine goes best with each. The last stop is your call: a wine and chocolate pairing, or a tasting paddle of craft beers brewed in the Hunter. Venues change with the producers' schedules, so if there's somewhere you'd love to visit, say so when you book. Then it's back to Cameron Park, with whatever bottles you've bought, by about 5pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Ampol, 119 Stenhouse Drive, Cameron Park, Newcastle. Please be on time.
Departure time: About 9:45am.
Finishes: Back at the same place at about 5pm.
Minimum age: 18 years, as alcohol is part of every stop.
Suits: Food and drink lovers, couples, friends, workmates and families with adult children. You don't have to drink beer, and soft drink is available at lunch.
Dietary needs: Most dietary needs can be managed if you tell us when you book. Most wine is not vegan, so vegans should let us know early.
Accommodation note: Vehicles have no lift or ramp. A folding wheelchair can travel if arranged before you book.
Please note: The tour visits small family producers, and the venues can change to suit their operations or local events.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Phone and charger
Reusable water bottle
Song ideas for the bus playlist

What is included

Return transport from Cameron Park, Newcastle
Vineyard or winery tour
Wine tastings at two or three wineries
Cheese tasting with wine
Gin, vodka and liqueur tasting
Wine and chocolate pairing or a craft beer tasting paddle
One-course lunch with a wine, beer or soft drink

Not included

Pick-up from Newcastle hotels
Extra tastings
Wine, beer or spirits you buy to take home

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.