Black Spur Drive

Winding through the heart of the Hunter Valley, the Black Spur Drive is a scenic 40-kilometre loop that delivers a quintessential Australian road-trip experience. This sealed route takes you past rolling vineyards, historic villages, and pockets of remnant bushland, offering a slower, more intimate counterpoint to the main wine-touring drag. With the Brokenback Range as a constant backdrop, it's a drive made for stopping — for a cellar-door tasting, a country pub lunch, or simply to photograph the golden light over the vines.

Highlights & What to See

• Pokolbin Village – A charming cluster of cellar doors, galleries and a micro-brewery; perfect for a relaxed afternoon of tasting and shopping.
• Brokenback Range Lookouts – Several pull-offs along the drive offer panoramic views across the valley to the distant mountains; dawn and dusk are especially photogenic.
• Historic Wollombi – At the southern end of the loop, this 19th-century village is home to the famous Wollombi Tavern, a classic country pub serving hearty meals and local wines.
• Hunter Valley Gardens – A sprawling 60-acre garden complex with themed sections, including a rose garden, a Japanese garden, and a storybook garden for kids.
• Small-Batch Wineries – The drive passes boutique producers like Glandore Estate and Tamburlaine Organic Wines, where you can taste without the crowds.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allow at least half a day – ideally four to five hours – to complete the loop with stops. Start mid-morning from Pokolbin, take your time at two or three cellar doors, enjoy lunch at Wollombi, and wind back through the afternoon light. If you're a keen photographer or wine enthusiast, you could easily stretch it to a full day.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Pokolbin – The epicentre of Hunter Valley wine tourism, with dozens of cellar doors, restaurants and accommodation options.
• Cessnock – A practical base for budget travellers, with supermarkets, pubs and a historic main street.
• Broke – A quieter wine region just north, known for its rustic cellar doors and the scenic Broke Road drive.
• Lovedale – Home to some of the valley's best loved wineries, including Brokenwood and Tempus Two.
• Maitland – A heritage city with a vibrant arts scene, antique shopping and the historic Morpeth village.

Please check official sources for current details.