Upper Hunter Wine Country

Escape the crowds and discover the rugged, sun-baked charm of Upper Hunter Wine Country, a quieter, more laid-back cousin of the Lower Hunter. Here, rolling hills, volcanic soils, and a warmer climate produce bold, full-flavoured semillons and shirazes that rival any in Australia. This is a region for travellers who value unhurried cellar-door tastings, genuine conversations with winemakers, and wide-open landscapes dotted with ancient trees and grazing cattle.

Highlights & What to See

• Wine Tasting at Pioneering Wineries: Visit historic estates like De Bortoli (known for its robust reds), Baillie Lodges’ Tower Estate, and boutique labels such as First Creek and Braemore Estate. Many offer cellar-door tastings by appointment, ensuring a personal experience.
• Hunter Valley Gardens: Although technically in the Lower Hunter, these sprawling themed gardens (including a rose garden, Italian grotto, and children’s play area) are a perfect stop on a self-drive loop connecting the two wine regions.
• Wollemi National Park: Just west of the wine country, this vast wilderness is home to the prehistoric Wollemi Pine, deep gorges, and Aboriginal rock art. Take a scenic drive or join a guided walk to explore its dramatic sandstone escarpments.
• Local Produce & Farm Gates: Pick up artisan cheeses, olive oils, and honey from farm gates along the winding country roads. The Hunter Valley Cheese Company is a must for a tasting plate.
• Historic Towns: Wander through Singleton, a charming town with a heritage main street, and Merriwa, known for its country hospitality and the annual Merriwa Festival of the Fleeces.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allocate at least one full day to explore the Upper Hunter Wine Country properly. If you’re based in the Lower Hunter, a day trip is feasible, but staying overnight in a cosy B&B or farm stay allows you to savour the region’s rhythm without rushing. Two days give you time to combine wine tasting with a walk in Wollemi National Park and a leisurely lunch at a vineyard restaurant.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Lower Hunter Valley – The more famous sibling, with dozens of wineries, fine dining, and the Hunter Valley Gardens. A 45-minute drive south.
• Broke – A scenic pocket of the Hunter with boutique wineries and the stunning Broke Fordwich wine trail, ideal for cycling.
• Pokolbin – The heart of Hunter Valley tourism, offering hot-air ballooning, cooking schools, and the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company.
• Barrington Tops National Park – A World Heritage-listed wilderness of ancient rainforests and alpine plateaus, about 1.5 hours north, perfect for hiking and wildlife spotting.
• Newcastle – A vibrant coastal city with surf beaches, a revitalised harbour precinct, and excellent seafood restaurants, just over an hour’s drive southeast.

Please check official sources for current details.