The Hunter Valley Road Trip Route

A long weekend out of the city sounds dreamy to most people until it comes to booking flights, reviewing the prices, and organising the logistics. That’s when a lot of people lose the nerve and simply give up. Unless you choose to take the car and go on a road trip adventure.

The Hunter Valley route in South Australia is one of the country’s most popular wine regions, especially if you choose to go off the beaten paths. It offers a large concentration of cellars and wineries, restaurants, and places where you can rest your body and soul. But, most of all, it hides many hidden gems. Keep reading to find out how to make the most of your road trip to Hunter Valley.

Hitting the Road

The best way to get there is by taking the Tourist Drive 33 off the M1. This route was originally built by the convicts, and is a slower-paced way that follows a windy road, so you can enjoy incredible scenery, farmlands, barns, country houses, cattle grazing by the roadsides, and farm-gate stalls with fresh, local produce.

At the end of this pleasant drive, you’ll be greeted by hosts of family owned and run businesses that produce all the wonderful food and wines of the region, most often doing the work themselves. They’re not just producers, but more like artisans who pride themselves in their sustainable and organic craft.

Start your journey at Noyce Brothers Wine in Wollombi whose cellar door is housed in a gorgeous 19th-century sandstone building. It also houses Grey's Inn and is located at the heart of the historical village. The vineyard is just a few minutes up the road where you'll get the opportunity to taste the amazing Verdelho.

Among the many heritage-listed colonial buildings in the village, the store owned by Kellie Jones and the General Store across the road are worth your visit. You’ll be able to stock up on fantastic produce, such as hand-woven Turkish bath towels, handmade Indian table runners, and locally made honey, jams, and relishes. At the end of your busy day when hunger strikes, stop by for dinner at any of the local places–Café Wollombi, Italian-style eatery Panino, or the Wollombi Tavern.

Soak up the great outdoors.

Taking the Tourist Drive 33 opens up the amazing scenic gateway into the lower Hunter Valley that stretches from the Pacific Motorway all the way down to the township of Branxton, situated at the heart of the wine region. All the way through, there’s an abundance of outdoor activities and sporting adventures you can try.

From whichever way you’re traveling on the Tourist Drive 33, you’re already on the part of Great North Road along the Convict Trail. It’s a 240km of masterpiece built by convicts between 1826 and 1836 to create an overland route from Sydney to Newcastle. It’s an extraordinary engineering feat, as it goes over unfriendly ridges, gorges, and towering passes.

The Astills trail will take about 45 minutes of your time and will lead you through the natural habitat of rare and endangered birds. It’s an easy and scenic walk of 2km that ends near the Astills picnic area, so pack up your picnic basket and make a day of it.

There are many more adventures you can opt for, such as mountain biking, horseback trail riding, four-wheel driving, and hot air ballooning. One practical recommendation is while you’re enjoying your adrenaline rush, make a call to an experienced mechanic from Hunter Valley who knows all the tricks and can quickly fix problems others have trouble with, to check up on your parked car, so when the adventure is over, you can continue your trip worry-free.

Experience the wines.

If you’re looking for a quieter and calmer backdrop for your road trip adventure, head up to Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard, some 20 minutes north of Wollombi. This cellar door is nestled among olive groves, provincial-style gardens and gorgeous vineyards. The farm is run in an organic, sustainable, and biodynamic way, producing wines of specific taste, and superior quality.

You won’t be disappointed when you visit other places, such as Morgan winery and restaurant, and Whispering Brook. Both produce wine on site, prune their wines by hand, and pour their souls into their produce. At Morgan restaurant, you’ll treat your palate with dishes prepared with their own free-range chicken, lamb, honey, and olive oil.

The Hunter Valley has already established its position as one of the most desired road trip destinations, and if these tips are enough to get you envisioning yourself soaking up the natural beauties of the region, and tasting award-winning wines, pack up your essentials and start the car!