12 Best Sights in The Hunter Valley Wine Region, New South Wales

Garden lovers and those who admire beauty in general should flock to the Hunter Valley Gardens, in the heart of the Pokolbin wine-growing district. The 12 separate gardens occupy 50 acres and include European formal gardens, a Chinese Moongate garden, and a delightful children's storybook garden featuring characters such as the Mad Hatter and Jack and Jill. The gardens have a dazzling Christmas lights display each year; the park is open at night during the holiday season (mid-November–late January) from 6 to 10. The adjacent complex houses restaurants, a popular pub, a hotel, a cute wedding chapel, the underground Hunter Cellars, and a selection of boutiques selling gifts as well as wonderful chocolates and fudge.

You can't miss this ultramodern facility in the heart of Pokolbin. This futuristic winery is a joint venture between two leading Hunter Valley families: the Roches (owners of Hunter Valley Gardens) and the McGuigans, who have made wine for four generations. The winery is best known for its Pinot Gris; however, you can sample a wide variety, including Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Shiraz. There's also a Goldfish Wine Bar and Oishii, an on-site fine-dining Japanese-Thai restaurant serving the finest sashimi. If you can, stop in at the winery's branch of the Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop. In the summer the winery hosts major concerts in its 10,000-seat amphitheater—past performers have included Elton John, Rod Stewart, and the Beach Boys.

Established in 1923, this winery has grown to become one of the country's largest and most prestigious winemakers. Beyond its historic Hunter Valley vineyards, Ben Ean also owns vineyard properties in South Australia and Victoria. Visitors can explore a variety of outstanding wines from these regions at the winery's tasting room, where highlights include their renowned Shiraz, Sémillon, and Chardonnay. Additionally, the winery offers a fascinating museum displaying vintage wine-making equipment, the Baume Restaurant for dining, and two picturesque picnic areas—one conveniently located near the parking lot and another nestled by the serene willow trees surrounding the dam.

This winery is particularly well-known for its very popular Day on the Green concerts, which are held several times between October and March. Beyond the shows, the winery also produces some very good wines—try the signature Chardonnay or Sémillon. It is also home to one of the Hunter's best restaurants, Esca, which has fantastic views across the vineyards towards the Brokenback Mountains. To take full advantage of the views, you could also prebook a picnic (A$125), which comes with deli meats, cheeses, fresh bread, and a bottle of the winery's best. The restaurant serves lunch every day and dinner Wednesday through Saturday. The cellar door is open daily for tastings.

This renowned artisan cheese producer is well-known for its high-quality cheeses, particularly their range of handcrafted goat cheeses. Binnorie Dairy has gained a reputation for excellence in cheese making, utilizing traditional techniques and locally sourced ingredients to produce a variety of gourmet cheeses that are celebrated both locally and internationally. Their offerings include soft cheeses, semi-hard cheeses, and unique flavored cheeses, all crafted with a commitment to quality and flavor.

In a delightful rural corner of the Mt. View region, this is one of the Hunter Valley's most prestigious small wineries. It produces a limited selection of sought-after reds, whites, and sparkling wines. The Sémillon, Chardonnay, Shiraz, and intense Cabernet Sauvignon are highly recommended. The vineyard is on the southern periphery of the Lower Hunter vineyards, about a five-minute drive from Pokolbin.

This family-owned winery is celebrated for its sustainable viticulture practices and exceptional wines. Founded by Lisa and Andrew Margan, the winery specializes in producing estate-grown wines, including Sémillon and Shiraz. Margan Family Winegrowers is renowned for its commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation in wine-making, offering visitors a memorable wine-tasting experience amid scenic vineyard landscapes. When it comes to the fine-dining lunch menu, many of the ingredients are sourced from the chef's vegetable and herb garden on-site, along with fresh eggs. Open every day 10--5 for lunch or wine tasting.

Adjoining the Hunter Valley Gardens is the cellar-door complex of McGuigan Wines, one of the most well-known wine labels in the Hunter Valley. Here you can taste and buy wines, such as Vineyard Select and Personal Reserve labels, that are not available in suburban wine shops. Wine tastings are 10–5 every day. While you're there try some of the superb cheeses at the adjacent Hunter Valley Cheese Company—look out for the washed-rind Hunter Valley Gold and the deliciously marinated soft cows'-milk cheese. You can also see the cheeses being made by hand.

At this estate chief winemaker Jim Chatto (only the fourth since the winery was founded in 1921) continues the tradition of producing classic Hunter wines. The flagship Maurice O'Shea Shiraz and Chardonnay, and the celebrated Elizabeth Sémillon, are among the wines that can be sampled in the huge cellar door.

Here you'll find a winery with a long-standing reputation in producing high-quality wines, particularly their acclaimed Chardonnays and Sémillons. Established in 1987 by Ian and Merralea Scarborough, the winery emphasizes sustainable wine-making practices and meticulous grape selection to craft wines that reflect the region's terroir. Visitors can enjoy tastings and tours at their picturesque estate. No lunch option.

Founded in 1858, Tyrrell's Wines is one of the Hunter Valley's oldest family-owned vineyards. This venerable establishment crafts a wide selection of wines and was the first to produce Chardonnay commercially in Australia. Its famous Vat 47 Chardonnay is still a winner. Enjoy the experience of sampling fine wines in the rustic tasting room, or take a picnic lunch to a site overlooking the valley. Guided tours (A$10) are given daily at 10:30.

Nothing seems to have changed in the atmospheric town of Wollombi, 24 km (15 miles) southwest of Cessnock, since the days when the Cobb & Co. stagecoaches rumbled through town. Founded in 1820, Wollombi was the overnight stop for the coaches on the second day of the journey from Sydney along the convict-built Great Northern Road—at that time the only route north. The town is full of delightful old sandstone buildings and antiques shops, and there's also a museum in the old courthouse with 19th-century clothing and bushranger memorabilia.