Although the Hunter Valley is renowned for its wine tours and cheese tastings, those certainly aren’t the limitations of what it has to offer. In fact, there are plenty of fun and even unexpected things to do in the Hunter Valley. Whether you need something to do on a rainy day, you’re an animal lover, an art buff or a leisurely day-tripper, the Hunter Valley has the perfect thing to tempt you into a visit.
Let’s dive right into how you can have a wonderful time exploring the beauty of the Hunter.
Relax with a light picnic lunch
The gorgeous vineyards offer a scenic backdrop for a perfectly leisurely thing to do in the Hunter Valley: a picnic. Sometimes it’s nice to break away from the ‘dining out’ lifestyle, allowing you to put your feet up with minimal fuss and be among the peace of nature. Imagine taking some time out to stretch out on the grass with some great conversation, a glass of wine or a craft beer, and of course, some incredible local produce.
Two Fat Blokes Deli offers a selection of options to suit your tastes – and your level of hunger! For an all-out decadent and romantic picnic, you can’t go past the Antipasto Tower which will give you a taste of the best Hunter Valley food around. For those with a big appetite, the Picnic Hamper is ideal which includes gourmet baguettes, cheeses and a sweet treat for after.
Escape with a hot air balloon ride
Whether you’re a thrill seeker or a romantic at heart, a hot air balloon ride is on the list of musts for things to do in the Hunter Valley. Have you ever imagined seeing beautiful vineyards, mountain ranges and farmland from the air at sunrise? What about stepping down afterwards to enjoy a glass of locally-produced bubbles? We thought so. I mean, surely everyone has thought about that! Luckily, that’s exactly what beyond ballooning provides.
But, what about a special occasion that you’d like to share in private with a loved one? That’s what Hunter Valley Ballooning’s Exclusive Flights for Two are for. Whether it’s time to put a ring on it or you’d like to commemorate an anniversary, you can indulge with champagne and chocolates while gazing down on the scenic Hunter Valley.
Get back to basics with horse riding
If you love animals and taking every opportunity to get back to nature, the Hunter Valley has the perfect thing to do – horse riding. Catering to all levels of experience (or inexperience as it may be!) Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures offers trail rides around the region, as well as sunset rides to allow you to experience the local wildlife coming out to feed. It’s also the ideal activity for families because they provide pony rides for the little ones. Not to mention the host of farm animals which you can feed on a tractor hayride!
Explore by electric bike
And if you’d like to be outdoors, but horse riding isn’t for you, then Sutton Estate has the perfect solution. Motor assisted electric bikes! It’s the ideal way to explore further than your own two legs can carry you, while not being confined to a car. Easy to ride for all fitness levels, and you can even team your ride with a Two Fat Blokes lunch package and boutique wine tasting! What more could you ask for?
Discover the region’s art
To experience a different kind of local culture, pay the Maitland Regional Art Gallery a visit. See the creativity of both Australian and International artists on semi-permanent display in a range of paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints and photographs. One of the collections unique to the gallery is ‘Images of Maitland’ – a great way to gain an appreciation for this Hunter Valley town.
If you have a passion for art or are looking for a rainy-day outing, a gallery visit is one of the things you must do in the Hunter Valley. Art buffs will love browsing the gallery shop for interesting artisan wares, and you’re also welcome to pop into the gallery cafe for breakfast or lunch with a cheeky wine.
Tee off in the Hunter
Nestled among the vineyards are several golf courses, adding a touch of luxury to our list of things to do in the Hunter Valley. One of the top choices is the 18-hole resort course at Cypress Lakes Golf and Country Club. From the green, you’ll have the stunning views of not only the Hunter Valley vineyards but also the Brokenback Mountain Range. They even offer golf lessons if you’re looking to improve your game.
And when you’ve played an enjoyable round, why not relax with some Hunter Valley gourmet eats. Taste what the resort bistro can offer or head over to the Two Fat Blokes for a beer tasting plate (and a couple of craft beers of course!).
Which of these things to do in the Hunter Valley will tempt you first?