The Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s most famous wine regions.
Combined with locally grown produce, fresh ingredients, delicious chocolate and home made cheese, Hunter Valley wine tours will easily impress all visitors.
However, if you are wondering which are the best, we’ve found the 10 best wine tasting tours.
Enjoy sampling delicious wines, and experience pairing wine and cheese, as well as wine and chocolate.
Have a delightful meal matched with wine, while admiring vineyards and olive groves.
Every one of these tours will engage all your senses.
1. Hunter Valley Helicopter and Degustation Tour
This truly is a private and exclusive wine tasting and lunch tour.
First, you’ll enjoy a scenic helicopter flight over the Hunter Valley.
Admire the patchwork of vineyards and olive groves while listening to interesting stories from your pilots.
Next on the list is a fantastic lunch prepared by award-winning chefs.
In the end, delicious meals are matched with a selection of vines at one of the Hunter Valley’s best known Cellar Door’s.
The flight departs from Cessnock Airport and you can choose the flight time that suits you best.
Keep in mind that people under 18 are not allowed to drink alcohol on this 2.5 hour tour.
Also, dress in smart casual clothing and feel like a VIP on this exclusive tour to the Hunter Valley.
What can you expect on this Hunter Valley Tour?
- Wine tasting.
- Lunch.
- Headsets to hear the guide clearly.
- Professional guide.
- All taxes, fees, and handling charges, including GST (Goods and Services Tax) are included in the price.
2. Hunter Valley Helicopter Tour with a Bubbly Breakfast
Imagine this: You are having a Bubbly Breakfast on a verandah with scenic views of locally grown vines?
Do you like the sound of that?
Well, on this tour you’ll have the chance to do precisely that.
The tour will lead you to Restaurant Cuvee overlooking the beautiful Peterson House’ vines.
In addition, you can start your day with a scenic morning flight over the Hunter Valley, and the local vineyards.
Admire the natural beauty of the Valley on the morning sun.
On arrival, take your time with breakfast.
You can also couple your breakfast with a wine tasting or products available at the chocolate shop.
After breakfast, your pilot will organise the return flight to the original departure point, the Cessnock Airport.
The tour is an enjoyable 2 to 3 hours long, perfect for romantic dates.
What can you expect on this Hunter Valley Tour?
- Bubbly “champagne” Breakfast on the Verandah at the Restaurant Cuvee.
- VIP helicopter pick up and return.
- Live commentary on board.
- Headsets to hear the guide clearly.
- Landing and facility fees.
- All taxes, fees, and handling charges, including GST (Goods and Services Tax) are included in the price.
3. Hunter Valley Scenic Helicopter Tour with Lunch
This 3-hour tour is a perfect romantic experience.
At the beginning of the journey, you’ll have the chance to enjoy the amazing views during your private helicopter flight.
You’ll fly over the mesmerizing Hunter Valley wine region, and you’ll get to see the vines, the Hunter Valley Gardens, and even the Cypress Lakes Golf Course.
After the flight, you can choose where you would like to have lunch.
There are three different venues to choose from, including Hunters Quarter, Emersons at Adina vineyard, and Esca at Bimbadgen.
Match your dish with a vine for a memorable experience.
Your flight departs from Cessnock Airport.
Accommodation pick-up is also available and can be organized for an additional fee.
You can also choose the flight time that suits you best.
However, keep in mind that you have to be at least 18 to book this tour.
What can you expect on this Hunter Valley Tour?
- Private helicopter tour.
- Three-course lunch.
- Beautiful views of the Hunter Valley.
4. Hunter Valley Wine-Tasting Day Tour from Sydney
Would you like to spend a whole day in the Hunter Valley wine region but you’re stuck in crowded Sydney?
This tour gives you the chance to do that.
After a pick-up by luxury bus in Sydney, you’ll visit four wineries throughout the day and sample wines.
During the trip, you will also hear all about vineyards, the style of wine-making, as well as the vintages you’re tasting.
Depending on a day, you’ll have lunch at one of several venues.
In addition, you’ll visit a cheese and chocolate shop to sweeten this experience.
The tour ends in the mid-afternoon.
However, if you don’t want to go back to Sydney, you can stay in Hunter Valley on your own.
Your pick-up and return to Sydney can be arranged for the following day.
The departure time from Sydney is at 7 am, and you can expect to return to the city centre at around 6:00-6:30 pm.
The maximum number of travellers for this tour is 17.
What can you expect on this Hunter Valley Tour?
- Transport by air-conditioned mini-bus.
- Wine tastings.
- Light cafe lunch.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off (selected hotels only).
- All entrance fees included in the price.
5. Private Hunter Valley Ultimate Food And Wine Trail Tour
On this private 9-hour tour you’ll have the chance to enjoy some of the best gourmet delights and world-class wines.
The departure time is 8 am.
Pick-up can be arranged from all hotels, and other types of accommodation, and cruise terminals in Sydney.
Relax on your journey to the Hunter Valley while watching amazing Australian scenery.
When you get there, you’ll visit boutique vineyards, as well as well-known vineyards, and sample some award-winning wines.
In addition, you’ll visit gourmet producers of organic cheese, olive oils and handmade chocolate makers.
Your driver and guide will take you to a venue you choose for lunch.
Take your time and soak in the atmosphere of the region.
This is a private tour and can be customised easily.
It’s perfect for families with children, or couples and groups of friends who prefer a spontaneous trip.
What can you expect on this Hunter Valley Tour?
- Wine Tasting.
- Gourmet Cheese Tasting.
- Morning Tea.
- Bottled Water and Snacks.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off.
- Private driver and vehicle.
- Friendly, knowledgeable guide.
6. Hunter Valley Gatherer’s Full-Day Food and Wine Tour
Would you like to enjoy pairing wine and cheese as well as wine and chocolate?
This tour with no more than 14 participants will give you that and more.
You’ll start your day with a free pick-up from your Hunter Valley hotel by a comfortable luxury van.
Departure time is 10 am, however, hotel pick-ups are 30-60 minutes prior.
Your knowledgable guide will take you for a tasting at four or five wineries.
This experience includes the fantastic matching 9 different kinds of cheese and 9 different wines at the De Iuliis winery.
You’ll have lunch among the vines, take a vineyard walk, experience a chocolate and wine pairing, and have a chance to see kangaroos in the wild.
A tour of the Hunter Beer Co is also included in the itinerary.
This 7-hour tour ends with the drop-off to your accommodation.
What can you expect on this Hunter Valley Tour?
- Lunch.
- Wine tasting.
- Driver/guide.
- Entry/Admission – De Iuliis and Hunter Beer Co.
- Bottled water.
7. Hunter Valley Wine Tour with Wine, Craft Beer, Cheese & Chocolate
If you are wondering what to do on a Saturday, join this tour.
You can find out why Hunter Valley is one of the best award-winning wine regions.
This tour starts with a free pick-up between 8.30am and 9.45am from your Hunter Valley accommodation.
Enjoy the atmosphere on a 20-seat air-conditioned minibus as you drive between wineries.
You’ll have the chance to learn about the traditions of wine-making and taste 5-8 wines at each of three different cellar doors.
The tour wouldn’t be complete without savouring cheeses as well as indulging in some delights.
If you want, you can refresh with a craft beer, and have an Italian inspired lunch.
Admire the scenery and various tastes.
At the end of the tour, you will be dropped off to your accommodation between 4:45pm-6pm.
What can you expect on this Hunter Valley Tour?
- Pick-up from your Hunter Valley accommodation.
- Transport between wineries.
- Drop-off to your Hunter Valley accommodation.
- Wine, Cheese and Chocolate tastings (tasting fees and gratuities included).
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Bottled water.
8. Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard: Private Picnic with Wine Class Tasting
This is actually a self-guided tour of the museum at Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard.
Join them in celebrating 150 years of wine-making.
If you want to learn about the history of vines and the area, or enjoy a master class with a premium tasting from an in-house wine expert, this is a perfect tour for you.
Take your loved one, collect a bottle of wine, and a picnic hamper.
You’ll have the chance to explore the spacious property and find a perfect location just for you.
Relax, and enjoy the food, wine and scenic views.
You can choose between morning and afternoon departures for this 2-hour tour.
What can you expect on this Hunter Valley Tour?
- Bottle of wine.
- Bottled soft drink.
- Lunch (two deli rolls, two cheese varieties, house-made crackers and bakery dessert).
- Wine tasting.
- Professional guide.
- Snacks.
- Entry/Admission – Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard.
9. Bimbadgen Vineyard: Picnic Painting And Wine Tasting Tour
This private tour is a unique experience which combines Bimbadgen history with wine tasting and painting.
You’ll have the chance to learn about various events at Bimbadgen Winery, and details about the wine-making process.
After an insight into the history, grab a bottle of wine, a picnic hamper, and head to the vineyard.
Find a perfect spot and admire stunning scenery while having lunch.
Enjoy a mix of premium cheese, antipasto, deli meats, and bread.
Painting kit, blanket, as well as cutlery and plates, are provided.
After the meal, you can paint the scenery around you or anything else that reminds you of this experience.
This tour lasts 2 to 3 hours, and you can choose between two departures.
Get away from the hustle for a couple of hours and relax.
What can you expect on this Hunter Valley Tour?
- Picnic for 2 people.
- Bottle of Bimbadgen wine.
- Painting kit.
- Wine tasting.
- Private tour.
- Lunch.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
10. Hunter Valley Hop-On and Hop-Off Bus
Hop-on & hop-off tours allow you to customise your Hunter Valley experience.
You can choose various destination and venues and visit them at your own pace.
Cellar doors, breweries, chocolate and cheese shops, and Hunter Valley Gardens are just some of the attractions.
The tours last from 2 to 7 hours and you can hop-on and hop-off as many times as you like.
You can also book a complimentary transfer from your Pokolbin, Lovedale and Cessnock accommodation.
Central Pokolbin Tour has 16 stops and will lead you to more than 40 attractions.
Route stops include Bimbadgen Estate, Glandore Estate Wines, Potters Brewery, Hungerford Hill Wines, as well as Shopping Village at Hunter Valley Gardens.
Lovedale & North Pokolbin tour has 14 stops and gives you access to over 20 attractions.
The stops include popular attractions such as Emmas Cottage Vineyard, Calais Estate Winery and Verandah Restaurant, Lovedale Brewery at Crowne Plaza, Binnorie Dairy, and Lovedale Smokehouse.
What can you expect on this Hunter Valley Tour?
- Hop-on hop-off bus tour.
- Designated driver.
- Assistance with planning your itinerary.
- Recommendations from our experienced guides.
- Access to over 40 attractions.
- Complimentary storage and cooler boxes on board.
Central Pokolbin Lovedale & North Pokolbin
