What is the recommended accommodation for first timer to stay in Hunter Valley, NSW?

Question

I'm going with a friend and we intend to rent a car and drive there and stay for a night or two at Hunter Valley in Aug. Am looking for the best accommodation in town that offers the best value-low in price, good location and clean & comfortable. Any suggestions on what to do there other than visiting wineries since Aug is still winter month? How much can one expect to spend for this visit?

Answer 1

Hello Dee,

The Hunter Valley wine region is centred around Pokolbin and includes many smaller communities such as Lovedale, Wollombi and Rothbury.

There are a broad range of accommodation options in the area including guesthouses, hotels, self-contained, bed and breakfasts, resorts and motels. For the most part, prices are comparable with Sydney but be mindful that many providers will have a minimum two-night stay on weekends as this is when they are at their busiest. When there are large events in the area minimum stays may be even longer depending on the venue.

Having worked in the Hunter Valley for a number of years, I can advise that the best prices are often available by calling after lunch on the day you would like to stay but this can also be a little risky as they may book out.

To be in the centre of Wine Country, you should consider staying in Pokolbin but for lower price options you may consider moving out a little. As a general rule of thumb, the further you move away from Pokolbin the cheaper the prices will be.

In the heart of Pokolbin, try Harrigan’s Irish Pub as everything is at your doorstep and the entertainment will be brought to you. If you’re interested in something a little more secluded it’s worth looking at Billabong Moon. Finally while I haven’t been to the Neath Hotel and it’s about 15 minutes drive from Pokolbin, I’ve heard many great reports of its accommodation and food.

Apart from eating great food and drinking top quality wines there are also many activities available in the area including hot air balloon flights, art galleries, golf courses, horse riding, bike hire, brewery tours and much more. The major city of Newcastle is about one-hour’s drive away and Port Stephens beaches and dolphin watching is about the same travel time.

The budget for the trip really depends on where you stay, what you eat and what you do. It is an area where you can spend as little or as much as you want depending on your intinery.

I hope this information proves useful in planning your trip.

Answer 2

The Hunter Valley is not a town, it is an area and a very big area at that. It has some beautiful country in the upper Hunter, from Scone westward with lots of horse studs and orchards. The lower and middle Hunter are famous for wineries. The city of Newcastle is at the mouth of the Hunter River. There are coal mines throughout the valley and big power stations providing electricity for the aluminium smelters in the lower Hunter.

Accommodation in the valley is motels or pubs in all the small towns. Some wineries offer accommodation as well. The cheapest will be country pubs which are basic but clean. The rooms usually do not have their own bathrooms. Motels will cost you $50 to $100 a night. If you are in Newcastle, the Formule 1 motel at Wallsend is clean, comfortable and cheap. Newcastle is, however, about 150km from Scone so it is a long way from the rest of the valley.

Answer 3

Jagsea, have a look around and see what the Hunter Valley Winery's have to offer. Don't go for one and be it. I was surprised that some of the smaller places had good wines, which we tasted. I think 6 hours your leaving yourselves short. Australia has some really good wines now being exported around the world, we get them here, and a few brands are from that region. Your doing yourself an injustice.