Although Hunter Valley is well known for its world-renowned wines, there are many other things to do in the area. Since it is only a couple of hours from Sydney, it is a popular area for weekend visitors and it’s an excellent wedding destination. Here are five things that you can do or see while visiting the Hunter Valley area.
Art Appreciation Tour
Although it isn’t a formal tour, art lovers will enjoy visiting the many places where art can be seen and appreciated while you’re in the Hunter Valley region. There is the Cessnock Regional Art Gallery that features many contemporary paintings, the Maitland Regional Art Gallery with over 2,800 pieces on exhibit, and the Australian Woodwork Hunter Valley Gallery featuring woodwork made exclusively by Australian artists and craftsmen. You will also find many other places to view works by local artists.
Hunter Valley Gardens
If you enjoy seeing many types of flowers and plant life, the Hunter Valley Gardens should be put on your itinerary. There are gardens for both young and older visitors including the Storybook Gardens that feature topiaries and sculptures of children’s favourite nursery rhyme characters, the Indian Mosaic Garden with both bronze and topiary elephants, the Rose Garden featuring 150 different varieties, and the Lakes Walk. The Lakes Walk has a waterfall that leads to the lake and while you are walking around it, you can enjoy a variety of flowers, trees, and bird species.
Go on an Adventure
If you feel like doing something daring between winery tours, consider flying an old Australian warplane, experiencing Rally racing, or speeding around a go-kart track. The warplanes are some of the rarest left from the WWI/WWII era and are flown by RAAF members or aerobatic pilots. There is a Rally school that is open most weekends for a thrilling experience or you can drive smaller vehicles by racing on a 220-metre go-kart racecourse.
Buy Alpaca Products
There are several alpaca barns in the Hunter Valley region where you can buy Australian, New Zealand, or Peruvian alpaca products. You will find products such as coats, clothing, bedding, yarn, and other accessories. While visiting the Hunter Valley area, you will find many places to stay including a Hunter Valley house accommodation in one of the many vineyards.
Places for Architecture Lovers
If you are someone who enjoys architecture, there are many older buildings within the area that you may enjoy visiting. There is the Paterson Historical Courthouse Museum, the Maitland Gaol that was built over 150 years ago and housed prisoners until 1998, the Singleton Heritage Walk, the Tocal Homestead, and St. Peter’s Anglican Church, which is one of the oldest Anglican churches in Australia. If you are a train lover, there are several historical railways to visit as well.
There are many things to do and see throughout the Hunter Valley region. Whether you’re visiting the area for a wine tour, attending a wedding, or just getting away from the city for a few hours, you shouldn’t be bored while visiting the area.