what to do in the hunter valley
Pokolbin · Hunter Valley · NSW
What are the best things to do in the Hunter Valley?
Wine tasting may be what first brings you to the Hunter Valley, but there is much more to do once you arrive. Explore vineyards, food, wine experiences, outdoor adventures, horse riding, family attractions, gardens and some of the Hunter Valley's most memorable ways to see wine country.
Hunter Valley Resort + Farm is a family-owned 100-acre property in Pokolbin, giving visitors a base for exploring the region while also offering many Hunter Valley experiences in one location. Here are 10 ideas to help plan your visit, including experiences at the Farm and attractions around the wider Hunter Valley.
Our Hunter Valley Guide
10 things to do in the Hunter Valley.
From tasting Hunter Valley wine to seeing the vineyards from horseback or from the sky, these experiences give first-time and returning visitors plenty of ways to discover the region.
Go wine tasting in Pokolbin
The Hunter Valley is one of Australia's best-known wine regions, and exploring its cellar doors remains one of the essential things to do while visiting. Pokolbin and Hermitage Road place visitors amongst vineyards and cellar doors, making it easy to build wine tasting into a day in the Hunter Valley.
At Hunter Farm Cellars, you can taste our estate-grown Hunter Valley wines from grapes grown on our Pokolbin property. Our wines are made locally in the Hunter Valley rather than vinified onsite.
Explore Hunter Farm Cellars →Enjoy Hunter Valley food, wine + a local beer
Food and drink are central to a Hunter Valley visit. At the Farm in Pokolbin, you can combine dining with Hunter Valley wine and beer from 4 Pines without having to leave the property.
4 Pines at the Farm serves breakfast and lunch, while Barrel Bistro opens for dinner. It makes dining easy to combine with wine experiences, activities or an overnight stay.
Explore dining at the Farm →Try a Hunter Valley adventure activity
The Hunter Valley is not only about sitting around a tasting table. Outdoor experiences around Pokolbin give families, couples, friends and groups a completely different way to experience wine country.
Activities available at the Farm include experiences such as Segway tours, archery, axe throwing and laser target shooting. Individual experiences are operated by their respective onsite activity providers.
Explore Hunter Valley activities →See the Hunter Valley on horseback
Horse riding gives visitors a slower, more immersive way to experience the countryside around Pokolbin. Horse riding and horse and carriage experiences are available from the Farm through Hunter Valley Horses.
It is an experience that can work for visitors wanting something beyond cellar doors, as well as couples, families and groups looking to spend more time outdoors.
Explore Hunter Valley horse riding →Learn more about Hunter Valley wine
If you want to understand what is in your glass rather than simply taste it, add a wine experience to your itinerary. The Hunter Wine Theatre and Wine School at the Farm offer two different ways to explore wine, tasting and the Hunter Valley's wine story.
These experiences are particularly useful for visitors who enjoy wine but would like to build their confidence and understanding while in one of Australia's historic wine regions.
Explore Hunter Valley Wine School → Explore the Wine Theatre →Get hands-on with a Hunter Valley experience
Some of the most memorable Hunter Valley activities are the ones where you actually take part. At the Farm, experiences include grape stomping, cooking activities, pizza making, candy making and barrel rolling.
These hands-on experiences can add something different to a family day, weekend with friends, corporate program or group visit to Pokolbin.
Explore grape stomping → Explore barrel rolling →Visit Hunter Valley Gardens
Hunter Valley Gardens is one of the region's established visitor attractions and adds something different to a wine-country itinerary. The gardens are in Pokolbin and are known for their landscaped garden areas and seasonal events.
It is particularly useful for families and visitors wanting to combine wineries, food and outdoor attractions during their stay.
Visit Hunter Valley Gardens website →Meet the animals
Animal experiences can be a welcome change of pace, particularly when visiting the Hunter Valley with children. Hunter Valley Wildlife Park is one of the region's family attractions, while farm experiences are also available in Pokolbin.
If you are planning a family itinerary, combining animals with outdoor activities and a relaxed meal can make the Hunter Valley about much more than cellar doors.
Explore Hunter Valley Wildlife Park →Explore wine country by electric bike
An electric bike offers another way to experience Pokolbin and the Hunter Valley landscape. E-bikes make it possible to explore at a different pace while still covering more ground than you would comfortably manage on foot.
Electric bicycle activities promoted from the Farm are operated by Sutton Estate, rather than Hunter Valley Resort + Farm.
Explore more things to do →See the Hunter Valley from a hot-air balloon
For an entirely different perspective on wine country, a hot-air balloon flight takes the Hunter Valley experience into the sky. Early-morning ballooning has long been one of the region's distinctive visitor experiences.
It can be a memorable addition to a romantic getaway, special occasion or longer Hunter Valley stay, while leaving the rest of the day free for wine, food and activities around Pokolbin.
Explore Hunter Valley ballooning →Everything in One Place
Spend less time driving around the Hunter Valley. Spend more time doing it.
The Hunter Valley covers a large area, so it is worth thinking about how much of your day you want to spend travelling between experiences.
At our 100-acre family-owned property in Pokolbin, you can stay amongst the vineyards and combine wine tasting, wine experiences, dining, outdoor activities, horse experiences and hands-on activities in one location.
You do not need to be staying with us to visit the Farm for many of these experiences.
Planning Your Visit
How to make the most of your time in the Hunter Valley.
Choose a base
Staying in Pokolbin places you amongst many of the Hunter Valley's cellar doors, restaurants, activities and visitor attractions.
Book key experiences
If there are particular wine, dining, horse, adventure or hands-on experiences you do not want to miss, check availability and book them before your visit.
Don't overfill the day
The Hunter Valley is best enjoyed with time to stop, taste and explore. Combining several experiences in one location can reduce driving and make the day considerably more relaxed.
Hunter Valley Visitor FAQ
Questions about things to do in the Hunter Valley.
What are the best things to do in the Hunter Valley?
Popular ways to experience the Hunter Valley include wine tasting, cellar doors, dining, vineyard experiences, horse riding, outdoor adventures, hands-on food and wine activities, gardens, wildlife attractions, cycling and hot-air ballooning. What suits you best depends on whether you are visiting as a couple, family, group or for a special occasion.
What can you do in the Hunter Valley besides wine tasting?
There is plenty to do beyond cellar doors. Visitors can explore outdoor adventure activities, horse riding, carriage experiences, cooking activities, grape stomping, gardens, wildlife attractions, electric bikes, farm experiences and hot-air ballooning.
What are some things to do in Pokolbin?
Pokolbin is at the heart of Hunter Valley wine country and offers cellar doors, restaurants, accommodation, vineyards and visitor experiences. At Hunter Valley Resort + Farm you can combine accommodation, dining, wine experiences and a range of activities on one 100-acre property.
What can families do in the Hunter Valley?
Families can build a Hunter Valley visit around animals, outdoor activities, gardens, food experiences and hands-on activities. Individual activities have their own requirements, so check the relevant experience before booking for children.
What can couples do in the Hunter Valley?
Couples can combine wine tasting, dining, vineyard experiences, horse and carriage experiences, outdoor activities and accommodation. A longer stay also gives you time to explore Pokolbin without trying to fit everything into a single day.
Can you visit the Hunter Valley for just one day?
Yes. A day trip can include several Hunter Valley experiences, particularly if you choose activities located close together. Staying overnight gives you more time for dining, wine experiences and activities without rushing between locations.
Do Hunter Valley activities need to be booked in advance?
Some activities and experiences require advance bookings or operate at set times. If an experience is important to your visit, check its individual page and availability before arriving.
Where can you do several Hunter Valley activities in one place?
Hunter Valley Resort + Farm is set across 100 acres in Pokolbin and brings together accommodation, dining, wine experiences and a range of activities in one location. Visitors do not necessarily need to stay onsite to participate in many of the experiences.
Explore the Farm
Looking for more things to do in the Hunter Valley?
Explore the full range of wine, food, farm, horse and adventure experiences available at the Farm in Pokolbin.
FARM TOURS
Don't miss feeding time! This is a great way for kids to see how farms work and get up close and personal with the barn yard crew. Including sheep, goats, cows, ducks, chickens, donkey, mules, pigs, ponies, bulls, llamas, alpacas and more!
PHOTO
GALLERY
Get active or take time to relax. Be our guest at Hunter Farm and experience so much of the Hunter Valley in one location.
