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| Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort & Country Club, Hunter Valley, NSW © |
How excited was I to discover that the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) was holding its convention in my 'hood'? Over the moon, actually, as I'd just returned from living overseas for many months and was trying to re-connect with my surrounds and people, including fellow members of the ASTW.
I'd been living in a 500-year-old cottage in the Cotswolds, worrying about leaving the history, countryside, ancient landscapes and, of course, friends. But when I did come back, I realised how much I had missed our mountain in Wollombi, the incredible sandstone landscapes, the adorable flora and fauna, the vineyards, the history, and a sense of place I realised I already had.
Our highly-anticipated ASTW annual conferences have been held around the world during my 30+ years of membership and there are many fabled stories. I was ASTW Vice President the years we went to Rotorua, and Lombok where there was a ton of sand involved at the beach-side awards dinner!
For 2024, with Destination NSW as a strategic sponsor, the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association and Oaks Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club became hosts (sand only in the golf bunkers at Oaks). Neighbouring partner Elysia Wellness Retreat was on hand for a welcome touch of wellbeing.
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| Elysia Wellness Retreat, Hunter Valley, NSW © |
I signed up and realised that it had been a while since I'd focused on Hunter Wine Country as a destination. Living in the beautiful Wollombi Valley, our drive routes often skirt Pokolbin's vineyards, instead using Lovedale Road on the way to Maitland, and Broke Road en route to the beautiful Winmark Wines, Margan Wines & Restaurant, Whispering Brook and the Upper Hunter. Winmark is a favourite, specialising in Chardonnay with a stylish tasting room, gallery and irresistible shop as well as boutique accommodation.
Sometimes we drive the scenic Mount View Road from Millfield, up across the Brokenback Escarpment (see photo above), past beloved Bistro Molines and down to Pokolbin, passing famous vineyards such as Sadler's Creek, Audrey Wilkinson, Tamburlaine, and Brokenwood Wines.
Hunter Wine Legends
The Hunter's historic wine families include the McGuigans, celebrating over 100 years of winemaking. Now Lisa McGuigan is taking the family name in new directions with her Vamp Wine Rooms, think Gothic/Medieval Knights+ (check the website). Lisa and the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association hosted a fun cocktail party here for the ASTW.
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| ASTW cocktail party at Lisa McGuigan Vamp Wine Rooms Photos © Alison Plummer |
As with many Hunter winemakers, Lisa's range includes varietals from other signature Australian wine regions for the best of all worlds. From the Hunter come the likes of her Silver Pinot Grigio, Platinum Gruner Veltliner, Platinum Chardonnay and Velvet Vin-Rose, then Renaissance Cabernet Merlot and Renaissance Spartacus Shiraz from Langhorne Creek (South Australia), and Pinot Gris from the Alpine Valley (Victoria).
Australia's oldest wine region, the Hunter has around 150 wineries and cellar doors including historic estates and new boutique vineyards. Yes, something for everyone but one of our ASTW members visiting for the first time in a while remarked that the region is much more 'boutiquey' now.
For the Hunter's own traditional Shiraz and Semillon, we love Thomas Wines where winemaker Andrew Thomas is passionate about local, producing single vineyard wines from the signature grape varietals including Kiss Shiraz, Sweetwater Ridge Shiraz and Braemore Semillon.
Tasting menus and local produce
Restaurants trending 'feed me' tasting menus include Wood Restaurant at Brokenwood Wines and the farm-to-table experience at Margan Wines & Restaurant, Broke. Fixed price two or three course choices are also common to many including iconic Bistro Molines and 'food over fire' Yellow Billy Restaurant. Most menus feature local and regional produce.
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| Fresh from the garden at Margan Wines & Restaurant. Photo © Alison Plummer. |
As well as wine-tasting and restaurants, the Hunter is a favourite wedding venue, has lovely rose and other gardens at Hunter Valley Gardens and is a top spot for hot air ballooning, horse-riding, and tours. Up for a beer you'll head to Harrigan's Hunter Valley, IronBark Hill Brewing Co at the Peter Drayton cellar door or maybe Potters Hotel & Brewery.
Tourist Drive 33
Tourist Drive 33 through Wollombi is a scenic way to drive to the Hunter – stop off for a wander around our historic village, enjoy a gelato, coffee and food at the Wollombi General Store. Have coffee/brunch/lunch at Myrtle and Stone, shop at stylish Twine, treasure hunt at The Forge and shop for local crafts at The Roadside Gallery. We have vineyards and cellar doors, too, including Stonehurst Cedar Creek, Noyce Brothers and Undercliff. Wollombi Tavern is a meeting place for all.
Off the beaten track, cultural experiences take you into the heart of the beautiful backdrop of the sandstone country surrounding the plains. Finchley Trig lookout in the Wollombi Valley is a special place for me.
I'm delighted that my own backyard is as vast and varied as the Hunter Valley!
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| Magical Mount Yengo from Finchley Trig. Photo © Alison Plummer |
Planning a trip
The Hunter is an easy drive from Sydney (around two and a half hours), Newcastle Airport (around an hour). For more Hunter Valley info and inspiration visit the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism website, and call in to the Hunter Valley Visitor Centre when you're here.
Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort & Country Club is centrally placed on Thompsons Road, Pokolbin, with a range of villas and suites, two restaurants and two bars. Leisure facilities include the resort's signature golf course, the partner onsite spa, Elysia Wellness Retreat, plus three pools and two tennis courts.
Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association
Oaks Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club
Cultural Experiences
