Australia / Sydney, New South Wales & the ACT / Hunter ValleyHunter Valley
Semillon, Shiraz and Hot-Air Balloons
Australia's oldest wine region, around Pokolbin, two and a half hours north of Sydney: about 150 cellar doors, cheese and chocolate makers, and dawn balloon flights over the vines. Wine tours with a driver are the usual way round, since the cellar doors are spread out and drink-driving limits are strict. Busiest on weekends and during the concert season at the big estates.
Highlights
- Cellar-door tastings of Hunter Semillon and Shiraz
- Sunrise hot-air balloon flight
- Hunter Valley Gardens
- Cheese, chocolate and olive tastings
- Wollombi's old pub and village
- Guided wine tour with a driver
Things to do
- Guided cellar-door wine tourAfternoon · 5h
- Sunrise hot-air balloon flightMorning · 3h
- Hunter Valley GardensMorning · 2h
Tours & tickets
Tourisma may earn a small commission if you book — it never changes your price.
When to go
Best time: February – April (harvest), September – November
Worth knowing
Bushfire Season
December to February is bushfire season. On days of extreme or catastrophic fire danger, national parks and walking tracks close and total fire bans apply. Check the state fire service app (Fires Near Me in NSW, VicEmergency, Alert SA, Emergency WA) each morning, keep plans flexible, and leave early if told to.