About 2 hours north of Sydney and under an hour from Newcastle — here's how to reach the Hunter Valley and get between the cellar doors without anyone having to drive.
Newcastle Airport at Williamtown is the closest, about an hour east; Sydney Airport is around 2 hours south.
The most popular choice — a tour handles the route and the driving so everyone can taste freely.
Private drivers and local shuttles link the wineries on your own schedule.
Hire a bike to pedal between the closer Pokolbin cellar doors — a relaxed, scenic option.
Handy for reaching the region and the Gardens, but tastings and driving don't mix — nominate a driver.
The cellar doors are spread out and the wine flows freely — a tour or driver is by far the safest and most relaxing way to spend the day.
About 2 hours' drive north (around 160km) via the M1 and the Hunter Expressway. There's no direct train to the wine country, so most people drive or join a tour.
The cellar doors are spread out, so the easiest options are a guided wine tour, a hired driver, or cycling between the closer wineries. A car is useful for getting to the region but tastings and driving don't mix.
Newcastle Airport at Williamtown is the closest, about an hour east, with flights from Brisbane, Melbourne and other capitals. Sydney Airport is about 2 hours south.
Yes — guided wine tours run from Sydney, Newcastle and within the Hunter itself, and local shuttles and hired drivers connect the cellar doors, so you never need to drive.
It's under an hour's drive west from Newcastle to Pokolbin, making the coast and the wine country an easy pair — many visitors base themselves in one and day-trip to the other.
Cooee Tours acknowledges the Wonnarua people as the Traditional Custodians of the Hunter Valley, and pays respect to their Elders past and present.