Days 1 - 2: Sydney
In the city bars, you’ll likely be spoiled with a selection of Australia’s best reds, whites and sparkling, but venture into the wider regional areas and you’ll find cellar doors offering an experience like nowhere else. Just over a two-hour drive north, the Hunter Valley is often cited as the nation’s most popular wine destination and the perfect day trip out of Sydney.
Our recommendations
Go for a long lunch in Lovedale
Kickstart your trip with a visit to the Lovedale Smokehouse, where you can enjoy a platter of cured meats accompanied by delightful drops of Semillon, Chardonnay, Temperanillo and Shiraz.Enjoy a scenic drive through the region's largest town and embrace the spontaneity of dropping into any of the charming wineries you might pass by, or even the Hunter Valley Zoo.
Enjoy local produce in Pokolbin
You’ll find most of the Hunter’s best wineries here, including the largest one at Brokenwood. It’s also well worth a trip to Muse, a two-hatted restaurant whose seasonal menu is constantly changing.