I love wine. Wine tastings, cellar doors, vineyards – all of it!
So when I moved to Sydney, the first thing I did was look for the closest wine region to my new home. I quickly discovered that Hunter Valley is just 2 hours away – making it the perfect day trip for wine lovers like me.
I booked a tour to Hunter Valley as soon as I could, and it turned out to be one of my favourite day trips from Sydney.
In this post, I’m sharing what you can expect from a wine-filled day in the Hunter – plus the best (and most affordable) way to plan your trip.
How to visit Hunter Valley on a day trip
Hunter Valley is about a two hour drive from Sydney (if traffic is on your side).
You can rent a car and drive yourself. But if you only have one day, I suggest joining a wine tour, which is what we did. That way, you can indulge in all the tastings without worrying about staying sober for the drive home.
Gary and I booked this tour and were really happy with it. We also considered joining this tour as it had so many good reviews, but it was more expensive so we decided to go with the more affordable option.
We left Sydney at 8 am and spent the day visiting three wineries and a distillery, with a lazy lunch overlooking the vines. By the time we arrived back in Sydney at 6 pm, everyone was fast asleep on the bus – clearly a successful wine day.
What’s included
Hunter Valley day tours are affordable considering what you get. One tasting can easily cost $30 if you’re doing it independently – and these tours usually include three tastings plus lunch. But luckily, all is included in the tour costs.
Here’s what was included on my tour:
- Return transfer from Sydney.
- A visit to three wineries, with a tasting session at each of these.
- A wine and chocolate pairing at one of the wineries and a cheese pairing at another.
- A visit to one distillery, with gin and vodka tasting.
- Lunch at one of the wineries, including a glass of wine.
Find out more about the tour here.
Our Hunter Valley day trip itinerary
Below I’ve shared our itinerary on this tour, but the exact wineries can change depending on availability and the time of year. But it gives you an idea of the standard of the tour and what to expect.
Depart Sydney
We met at 7:45 am near Circular Quay in Sydney. Our tour had a maximum of 18 people, which I felt was just the right amount.
You can opt for private tour, but the price is much higher. I felt that the tour itself was well-organized with no delays, given the larger group.
First Winery
Our first stop was De Iuliis Wines, which is a smaller, boutique winery in the Hunter. We did a cellar tour here, followed by a generous tasting of their wines.
Second winery + lunch
Our second stop was at Wynwood Estate, where we had the most delicious lunch at their onsite restaurant, Twine. There were a few menu options for us to choose from and the meal included a glass of wine.
The setting was absolutely stunning and the views from the restaurant were incredible.
Lunch was followed by a tasting of the Wynwood Estate wines. Note: Since my visit, Wynwood Estate has closed, but their restaurant is still open.
Distillery stop
After lunch, we headed to Hunter Valley Gardens where we popped into a local distillery. We tried Small Mouth vodka, gin and a few liqueurs.
I’m not a fan of neat liqueurs, but the rest of the group loved these tastings.
Third winery
Our final stop was Glandore Estate for a wine and chocolate pairing. This was one of my favourite tastings of the day – both the wine and the chocolate were amazing
Return to sydney
By 4 pm we were all wined out and hopped back in the bus for the drive home.
Check availability for the tour I booked.
Is a Hunter valley Day Trip worth it
Absolutely. I’m not usually a fan of group tours, but I really enjoyed this one. The wineries were high quality, the food was great, the group was fun, and everything ran smoothly.
When you consider the inclusions, cost and convenience, it’s honestly the best way to visit the Hunter Valley from Sydney – especially if you’re short on time.
Browse all Hunter Valley day tours here.
If you’re looking for more adventures from Sydney, check out my other posts:
- Where to stay in Hunter Valley
- How to spend a day in the Blue Mountains
- The best wineries in Orange, NSW
- Best places to camp in Jervis bay
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