Maree

Maree is a serene pocket of the Hunter Valley, where vineyard-draped hills meet quiet country lanes and world-class wineries feel refreshingly uncrowded. This is the Hunter without the throngs — a place to taste exceptional Semillon and Shiraz straight from the cellar door, chat with winemakers who have time for a yarn, and soak up the valley's golden light over a long lunch. Maree rewards those who slow down and let the region's deep wine culture and pastoral beauty sink in.

Highlights & What to See

• Cellar-door tastings at boutique wineries — Maree is home to several acclaimed small producers; ask for a vertical tasting of aged Semillon to understand why the Hunter is famous for it.
• Maree Creek Walk — a gentle, shady stroll along the creek, perfect for a morning leg-stretch before the tasting begins, with birdlife and glimpses of grazing cattle.
• Local cheese and produce stores — pick up artisanal goat's cheese, olive oils, and honey from roadside farm gates; many cellar doors also offer cheese platters to match their wines.
• Historic homesteads — several 19th-century farmhouses have been lovingly restored as cellar doors or accommodation; their sandstone walls and wraparound verandahs evoke the valley's pastoral heritage.
• Hot-air balloon flights over the valley — launch sites near Maree offer sunrise views across the patchwork of vineyards, a truly magical perspective of the Hunter.

Suggested Time to Spend

Maree is best enjoyed as a half-day detour within a broader Hunter Valley itinerary. Plan for three to four hours to visit two or three cellar doors, enjoy a leisurely tasting and a cheese platter, and take the short Maree Creek Walk. If you're a serious wine enthusiast, you could easily stretch this to a full day, especially if you book a private tasting or a vineyard tour. Combine it with a morning in Pokolbin or a late afternoon in Broke for a well-rounded Hunter experience.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Pokolbin — the Hunter's wine-tourism hub, with dozens of cellar doors, restaurants, and the Hunter Valley Gardens.
• Broke — a quieter, even more rustic wine sub-region with a strong community feel and excellent fortified wines.
• Wollombi — a historic village with a famous pub, art galleries, and a scenic drive through the Watagan Mountains.
• Cessnock — the main service town, with a growing craft-beer scene, museums, and practical amenities.
• Lovedale — another wine district known for its family-run wineries and the Lovedale Long Lunch event.

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