
Hunter Valley: A Gourmet Food and Wine Getaway Near Sydney
When you're in New South Wales, Australia, don’t limit yourself to just Sydney. As much as I love the energy of the city, my most memorable escape was just a couple of hours inland—to the beautiful, slow-paced Hunter Valley. On my last trip, I decided to spend two nights in this iconic wine region, which is one of the oldest wine regions of Australia. What followed was a deeply indulgent journey through vineyards, rolling hills, unforgettable meals, and some of the best wines you’d have tasted. It’s no wonder locals head here often to unwind.

I began my visit at Margan Wines, in the quiet village of Broke. We opted for their Ultimate Experience, a guided walk through the vineyard and kitchen garden, followed by a wine tasting and a seasonal degustation lunch made with ingredients grown on-site. It turned out to be the perfect introduction to the region. While the wine production is at scale, the operations are like a boutique winery ensuring personal care for each vintage. The food philosophy is simple. Use local produce to come up with tasty dishes. Many chefs, having worked in bustling cities across Australia, have started moving to quieter places like Hunter Valley and work at kitchens of prominent vineyards such as Margan. The meal perfectly paired with the wines was worth the drive. Many prefer taking a day trip to visit the cellar doors and enjoy such a meal and wine experience and return.
Next stop was Tulloch Wines, one of the oldest in the region. I booked their wine and chocolate tasting, and to be honest, I didn’t expect it to be as delightful as it was. But each handcrafted chocolate was perfectly matched to a wine, bringing out flavour notes I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. It was playful and informative—an experience I’d absolutely repeat.
For dinner, I headed to éRemo Restaurant at Spicers Guesthouse. This is where Hunter Valley’s culinary reputation truly shines. The food—modern Italian made with local produce—was beautifully balanced and paired with a standout some of the best wines from the valley. Many of the chefs here have moved from Sydney, and it shows. There's city-level finesse, but with a warmth and generosity you only find in the countryside.

The next morning, I kicked things off a little differently—with Hunter Valley Trike Tours. Riding through Lovedale, Pokolbin and Mount View on a custom-made trike, the wind against your face and vineyards all around, was surprisingly peaceful and totally exhilarating. It gave me a new appreciation for the landscape beyond the cellar doors.
From there, I visited Audrey Wilkinson Winery, perched on a hill with jaw-dropping views. Their fortified wines & fromage tasting was one of my favourite parts of the trip—aged fortified wines paired with local cheeses, all while looking out over rows of vines that stretched to the horizon. It felt like stepping into a painting.
And because no indulgent escape is complete without dessert, I made a quick detour to Sabor Dessert Bar. Set among the vineyards, this place is a sweet lover’s paradise. With more than 50 treats on offer, from tarts to cheesecakes, I had trouble picking just one—so naturally, I tried a few.
I ended my Hunter Valley experience with dinner at EXP. Restaurant. And, what a finale it was. With its open kitchen, intimate setting, and ever-evolving tasting menu, EXP. is all about telling a story through food. Each plate was a piece of art, crafted with local ingredients and a sense of place. It felt like a celebration of everything I’d come to love about the region.
If you're heading to NSW, don’t stop at Sydney. Spend a night—or more—in Hunter Valley. Whether you’re into wine, food, or just need a breath of fresh air, this place has a way of working its magic. For me, it was more than a weekend escape—it was the kind of trip that stays with you long after the last sip.
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