Driving north of Sydney for a couple of hours will take you to one of Australia’s most ancient grape-growing areas, Hunter Valley. You won’t regret going down there and staying at a Hunter Valley accommodation to enjoy the region’s beauty.
Apart from top-notch restaurant dinings, such as multi-course tasting menus to high tea and gourmet country lunches, there a plenty of things for visitors to do. These activities include hovering around in a hot air balloon, horseback riding and roaming the Hunter Valley Zoo.
This scenic area is also popular for chic day spas, picturesque vistas, golf courses and Barrington Top and Wollemi National Parks.
Here’s a detailed description of the enjoyable experience you can have in Hunter Valley, Australia.
1. Kayaking at the National Park of Wollemi
The National Park of Wollemi is a World Heritage site, blessed with the essence of canyons, gushing rivers, and cliffs. Massive patches of bushland touch the Wollemi and Colo riverbanks, allowing nature-lovers to kayak or have a picnic.
One of the most noteworthy features of this wilderness is Ganguddy, aka Dunn’s Swamp. It’s a mist-covered swamp exhibiting an attractive bunch of beehive-shaped rock formations.
Individuals can navigate this region on a kayak and explore the park’s rich heritage and distinct wildlife. Besides, a few kayak tours also include a brief hike. During the primary tourist season, you can rent kayaks to venture on self-guided tours.
2. Wandering Bathers Way in Newcastle
Newcastle is the biggest town in Hunter Valley and consists of exceptional surf beaches and a port. Moreover, it contains many artsy cafes and restaurants, a vibrant art scene, gardens and parks.
One of the best experiences in Newcastle unravels itself during a stroll around Bathers Way. This coastal adventure extends from the southern lighthouse at Nobby’s Headland to Merewether beach. You can soak in the convict heritage, natural environment and culture of the area via yellow signs throughout the venture.
While on the route, you can take a detour and eat in a café on Darby Street, learn about the initial coal network of the city or swim at a golden beach.
Another attraction nearby is the Newcastle Memorial Walk. It’s a bridge suspended in the air above the sea, which honours the martyrs of the (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
3. Visiting the Maitland Regional Art Gallery
The Maitland Regional Art Gallery is well-suited for a family visit. Sitting inside a federation building, this enigmatic space possesses eleven bright exhibition spaces exhibiting the art of popular Australian and international artists.
Apart from paper art, the gallery also encompasses a display of sculptures, photographs, installations, etc. A complete section is dedicated to kids and houses the Art Factory, comprising free activities and holiday workshops.
You can also visit the Newcastle Art Gallery, the home to 19th-century Australian art and the hemisphere’s most extensive collection of Japanese ceramics.
4. Exploring the Hunter Valley on a Horse
The Hunter Valley Horse Riding and Adventures association of Lovedale provides a wide variety of trail rides through the Molly Morgan Range. You can choose from a range of options like picnic rides, private tours, or romantic sunset rides.
Sightseeing on a horse is an excellent way to absorb the area’s appealing vistas. Also, it’s relatively easy to spot wildlife in this valley, ranging from cockatoos and galas to wombats and kangaroos.
The best part is that children can go on these trail rides on a pony!
Hunter Valley is the perfect blend of architectural beauties and ecological wonder. Apart from the aforementioned activities, you can take part in several adventures. However, the best way to enjoy this bliss is by spending time down there and staying in a Hunter Valley accommodation.
With all these fantastic and diverse attractions, it’s simple to understand why Hunter Valley is one of the most preferred getaways nearby Sydney.
