Hunter Valley Tours Full Day Wine and Food Experience

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A full day in the Hunter Valley with a small group of no more than 12, tasting at three boutique cellar doors with the tasting fees and a sit-down lunch already paid. A local guide does the driving and picks you up from your accommodation in the valley.

Days

7 hours

Age

18 years and over

Group size

Small group, up to 12

Start / finish

Hunter Valley accommodation / Pokolbin wineries / back to your accommodation

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Air-conditioned minibus with pick-up from your accommodation

Meals

One-course lunch with a drink

Route

Map of Hunter Valley Tours Full Day Wine and Food Experience

View map

Included experiences

Boutique cellar doors — tastings at three wineries, fees paid
Working winery — hear how the wine is made
Chocolate shop — samples included
Cheese maker — local cheeses to buy
Distillery tasting — local vodka and gin, optional
Lunch — sit-down meal with a complimentary drink

Hunter Valley Tours Full Day Wine and Food Experience

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: PICK-UP AND THE FIRST TASTING

Your pick-up time arrives the night before, and your guide collects you from your accommodation in the valley in an air-conditioned minibus with chilled water on board. There are never more than 12 of you, so there's room to ask questions all day. The first glass is poured at about 10am. You're in Pokolbin, the heart of the Hunter Valley, Australia's oldest continuously producing wine region, where vines were first planted in the 1820s. The wineries on this tour are boutique ones, smaller family places where the person pouring often knows exactly which block the grapes came from.

THREE BOUTIQUE CELLAR DOORS

Over the day you taste at three boutique cellar doors, with the tasting fees already paid. At the working wineries you hear how the wine is made, from the vines to the barrel room, and the tastings come with local food to match, such as cheese and olives grown on site. Ask about Hunter Semillon, the valley's signature white. It is picked early, so it is light and low in alcohol when young, and the best bottles keep developing in the cellar for ten years or more, turning toasty and golden. Shiraz is the valley's other great grape.

LUNCH

Around the middle of the day you sit down to lunch: one course from the menu, with a complimentary drink. It's a proper unhurried meal at a table rather than a platter on the run, and a good moment to compare notes on the morning's favourites. A few dishes carry a small surcharge, which you pay at the restaurant. Vegetarian and gluten-free choices are on offer at most venues, so mention any needs when you book.

AFTERNOON: CHOCOLATE, CHEESE AND SPIRITS

The afternoon brings sweeter stops. At an independent chocolate shop, samples are included, and at a local cheese maker you can pick up something to take home. If spirits appeal, there's a tasting of locally distilled vodka and gin, and it's up to you whether to join in. Between stops, keep an eye on the paddocks and vineyard edges, where eastern grey kangaroos often lie in the shade and come out to graze. Cellar doors close around 5pm, and your guide drops you back where the day began.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from your accommodation within 10 km of Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin. Guests staying at Hunter Valley Gardens meet in the short-stay bus and coach parking area.
Departure time: Morning pick-up, timed for the first tasting at about 10am. Your exact time is sent the night before; drivers can wait only about 10 minutes.
Duration: About 7 hours, or close to 8 hours door to door.
Minimum age: 18. Shared tours are for adults only.
Dietary needs: Vegetarian and gluten-free lunches are available at most venues but can't be guaranteed; note your needs when you book.
Suits: Wine lovers of any level. Wheelchair users are welcome: the minibus has a hydraulic lift and every venue is checked for access; mention it when you book.
Please note: No alcohol may be carried or opened on the bus. The tour runs in all weather. It isn't for 18th, 21st, hens or bucks parties. Bookings made within 12 hours of the tour may not get a pick-up.

What is included

Tasting fees at three boutique cellar doors
Sit-down one-course lunch with one complimentary drink
Chocolate samples
Local vodka and gin tasting (optional)
Chilled water on board
Air-conditioned minibus and experienced local guide
Pick-up and return within 10 km of Hunter Valley Gardens, including Pokolbin and Cessnock

Not included

Cheese and any wine or produce you buy
Lunch menu surcharges on some dishes, paid at the restaurant
Pick-up from Newcastle, Maitland, Singleton and nearby areas — a per-booking transfer charge applies

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.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

We were picked up from our accommodation for a seven-hour wine tour around the Hunter Valley with Julie, who was friendly and informative. Lunch at one of the wineries was great, with plenty of tastings and tasty food including cheese platters.

Tony Usher Verified· Travelled 18th August 2022

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