New South Wales
New South Wales
 The Hunter Valley - comprising the two distinct areas of the Lower and Upper Hunter - is the heart of the New South Wales premium wine industry.

The Lower Hunter in particular produces Australia's greatest Semillons and excellent Chardonnay and Shiraz.

From the Griffith, Riverina, Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area comes more than half of New South Wales annual crush and it is predominantly white wine country.

Mudgee, Aboriginal for Nest in the Hills, is renowned for marvellously rich and densely coloured Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wine is now produced along the length of the spectacular Great Dividing Range with an emphasis on Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, much of it going to sparkling wine making.

The undulating and peaceful Cowra district is recognised for magnificent Chardonnay.

The Industry is expanding at a rapid rate in New South Wales, particularly along coastal regions from Bega in the extreme south to Port Macquarie in the north.

Many small wineries producing all the major varietal wines are clustered in beautiful settings around Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory.

New South Wales
T o u r i n g

WT/NSW01 The Best of the Hunter Valley
WT/NSW02 Historic Hunter Valley Vintage Tour
WT/NSW03 2 Day Hunter Valley Wine Experience
WT/NSW04 3 Day Blue Mountains & Hunter Valley
WT/NSW05 3 Day Hunter Valley & High Country
WT/NSW06 4 Day Hunter Valley & Port Stephens
The Best of New South Wales - Extended Tour

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WT/NSW01
Depart Sydney and travel to the north over the Sydney Harbour Bridge into Australia's oldest commercial wine producing district, the Hunter Valley. Cross the Hawkesbury River to Wollombi. Wine tasting at the McWilliams Mount Pleasant Winery, and Golden Grape Estate before inspecting the Wine Museum. After lunch continue through the Lower Hunter Valley passing famous estates such as Lindemans Hunter Estate, Hungerford Hill and the Hunter Cellars. Opportunity to taste local cheese produce and fine wines. Stop at Branxton Road for a unique opportunity to view kangaroos in the wild. A brief stop at Pokolbin Village before returning via Cessnock and Freemans Water Hole to Sydney.

Prices on application.
Inclusions: courtesy hotel pick up & set down, driver guide, wine tasting and lunch
[ WT/NSW01 | WT/NSW02 | WT/NSW03 | WT/NSW04 | WT/NSW05 | WT/NSW06 | Best Of NSW ]



WT/NSW02
An educational and entertaining tour which takes you across the Hawkesbury River. Stop for morning tea before proceeding to the sleepy and quaint village of Wollombi for a chance to taste the local brew. It's then on to Cessnock, the heart of the wine growing district. We visit a number of boutique wineries, such as Briar Ridge, Petersons and Mount View Estate, giving you the opportunity to taste local wines and speak to the actual wine growers and makers. Enjoy a lunch including sparkling wine, and a gourmet buffet. Visit several of the larger commercial wineries in the Lower Hunter Valley before returning to Sydney.

Prices on application.
Inclusions: courtesy hotel pick up & set down, private vehicle, driver guide, morning tea, lunch with wine, wine & fruit juice, winery tours and informative wine tastings
[ WT/NSW01 | WT/NSW02 | WT/NSW03 | WT/NSW04 | WT/NSW05 | WT/NSW06 | Best Of NSW ]



WT/NSW03
DAY 1 Depart Sydney and travel to the north over the Sydney Harbour Bridge into Australia's oldest commercial wine producing district, the Hunter Valley. Cross the Hawkesbury River to Wollombi for a chance to taste the local brew. Then it's on to Cessnock, the heart of the wine growing district. We visit a number of boutique wineries before enjoying a gourmet buffet lunch. Visit several larger commercial wineries in the Lower Hunter Valley before setting down at your overnight accommodation. Dinner at the hotel restaurant. (LD)

DAY 2 After breakfast, proceed through the Lower Hunter region towards the coast arriving at Port Stephens with it's white sands and emerald waters. Here we join a Catamaran for a Dolphin Cruise and gourmet luncheon. Travel along the beach towards Newcastle where the area resembles a moonscape with it's rolling sand hills before returning to Sydney. (BL)

Prices on application.
Inclusions: courtesy hotel pick up & set down, private vehicle with experienced driver guide, morning tea, buffet lunch including wine & champagne, winery tour and tasting, dolphin cruise, 1 night Hunter Valley, breakfast and dinner

[ WT/NSW01 | WT/NSW02 | WT/NSW03 | WT/NSW04 | WT/NSW05 | WT/NSW06 | Best Of NSW ]



WT/NSW04
DAY 1 Travel in into the Blue Mountains where breakfast is served amongst wild kangaroos and birdlife. Learn boomerang throwing. Enjoy the spectacular vista, take a short bush walk to a magnificent lookout. Visit the Three Sisters away from the tourist crush. Travel off road into the impressive Narrowneck Plateau providing dynamic views you'll find hard to leave. Set down at your overnight accommodation. Dinner own arrangement (BL)

DAY 2 Meet your guide and travel further up the Blue Mountains to Mt Tomah. Stop at Bulga and be introduced to ancient Aboriginal Heritage and Art. Enter the Hunter Valley wine region and enjoy tastings at 3 boutique wineries and lunch at the exclusive Cafe Enzo at Peppers Creek Winery. Drive across the Hunter Valley to Eaglereach Wilderness Resort. Enjoy the views from your overnight accommodation. Dine this evening at the hotel restaurant. (BLD)

DAY 3 This morning you are free to enjoy the many resort activities including horse riding, mountain biking, tennis, yabbying, fishing or swimming in the salt-water rock pool. Return to Sydney in the afternoon. (BL)

Prices on application.
Inclusions: courtesy hotel pick up & set down, private vehicle with experienced driver guide, breakfast with kangaroos, National Parks, Hunter Valley wineries, 1 night Eaglereach Wilderness Resort, 1 night Blue Mountains, daily breakfast, 3 lunches, 1 dinner

[ WT/NSW01 | WT/NSW02 | WT/NSW03 | WT/NSW04 | WT/NSW05 | WT/NSW06 | Best Of NSW ]



WT/NSW05
DAY 1 Travel north to Berowra Waters where we visit two Aboriginal Art Sites where you will be introduced to the ancient Aboriginal culture. Continue to the Hawkesbury River for a river crossing aboard the Wiseman's Ferry. Enter Dharug National Park where we explore sections of the convict built Great Northern Road then enjoy lunch at the Settlers Arms, an old coach inn built in 1836. Continue to the McDonald Valley before climbing into the rugged ridge and valley country of Yengo National Park. Pause in historic Wollombi village before arriving at Pokolbin Vineyards for tasting of some of the Hunter Valley's famous wines. Enjoy a delightful lunch at Cafe Enzo in the grounds of Peppers Creek Winery. Travel to the spectacular Eaglereach Wilderness Resort where you watch the sunset over the valley whilst enjoying a country BBQ meal. (LD)

DAY 2 Today you are free to enjoy the resort. Eaglereach is a nature based private wilderness resort with 1000 acres of natural wilderness which is home to a variety of flora and fauna. Activities offered at the resort include bush walking, horse riding, mountain biking, tennis, yabbying, fishing or swimming in the salt-water rock pool. (B)

DAY 3 After breakfast this morning, we depart across the hunter Valley through the historic townships of Paterson and Raymond Terrace to Port Stephens. Arriving at Nelson Bay with it's white sands and emerald waters we join a 1 1/2 hour Dolphin Cruise around the bay. At the completion of the cruise we rejoin our vehicle and return to Sydney. (BL)

Prices on application.
Inclusions: courtesy hotel pick up & set down, private vehicle with experienced driver guide, National Parks, Wiseman's Ferry, Hunter Valley wineries, 2 nights at Eaglereach Wilderness Resort, daily breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner

[ WT/NSW01 | WT/NSW02 | WT/NSW03 | WT/NSW04 | WT/NSW05 | WT/NSW06 | Best Of NSW ]



WT/NSW06
DAY 1 Transfer to the Hunter Valley in the afternoon and check into your accommodation. Tour the vineyards by Horse & Carriage followed by a wine and cheese tasting at Pokolbin Estate. See the Australian countryside and experience country hospitality! Dinner at the hotel. (D)

DAY 2 After breakfast, proceed on a comprehensive winery tour. Walk through the vineyard and learn the hows and whys. The cellarmaster takes you through a tasting of wines, you'll walk away with a newfound knowledge of winemaking and tasting. Join your driver and enjoy the Australian countryside as you taste your way around the Hunter Valley including lunch and wine tasting at three or more boutique wineries. Enjoy a specially selected menu from the best local seafood, game and beef for dinner this evening. (BLD)

DAY 3 Today travel to Port Stephens and the Blue Water Wonderland. Join a memorable Dolphin Watch cruise including morning tea. Lunch at Salamander Shores before returning to your hotel for some rest & relaxation. Dinner this evening in the multi-award winning Peppers Guest House Restaurant (BLD).

DAY 4 Return to Sydney. (B)

Prices on application.
Inclusions: courtesy hotel pick up & set down, private vehicle with experienced driver guide, vineyard tour by Horse & Carriage, wine & cheese tasting, Hunter Valley wines, winery tour, Dolphin Watch Cruise, 3 nights Hunter Valley with daily breakfast, 2 lunches, 3 dinners

[ WT/NSW01 | WT/NSW02 | WT/NSW03 | WT/NSW04 | WT/NSW05 | WT/NSW06 | Best Of NSW ]


Best Of
DAY 1 Travel in a luxury vehicle into the Blue Mountains National Park where breakfast is served amongst wild kangaroos and birdlife. Learn the ancient art of boomerang throwing. Enjoy the spectacular blue vista introduced via a beautiful private garden, take a short bush walk to a magnificent lookout that never fails to impress. Visit the Three Sisters away from the tourist crush. Travel off road into the impressive Narrowneck Plateau providing dynamic views you'll find hard to leave. Set down at your Blue Mountains accommodation. This afternoon is free for you to wander the many tracks that run through the mountains, relax in the grounds of your accommodation or take an optional tour. (LD)

DAY 2 Meet your guide and travel further up the Blue Mountains to Mt Victoria for a visit to Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens. Stop at Bulga and be introduced to the ancient Aboriginal Heritage and Art - view a painting of the Spirit God Biame and learn about the Dreamtime. Enter the Hunter Valley wine region and enjoy tastings at 3 fine boutique wineries and lunch at the exclusive Cafe Enzo at Peppers Creek Winery. Set down at your accommodation. (BLD)

DAY 3 We start today at the Hunter Cellars School of Wine where you will join a 2 hour intensive wine etiquette course. Lunch follows in Elizabeth's Cafe at McWilliams Mt Pleasant Winery highlighting the marriage of food and wine. Next stop is at Peppertree Winery, a boutique winery with a reputation for exclusive award winning wines, for a private tasting in their upstairs boardroom. Before our final winery - the Scarborough Wine Co for outstanding views of the valley and Chardonnays. Set down at your overnight accommodation. (BL)

DAY 4 After breakfast travel to Tinklers Vineyard and Farm for an overview the growing and tending of grapes. Take a guided walk through the vineyard followed by an opportunity to taste some Tinklers wines and fresh fruits. Tour of Tyrrell's Winery one of the Hunters oldest and largest family owned wineries. View crushing, fermentation, maturation and storage. Lunch at Rothbury Estate Winery accompanied by their own wines. Next you'll visit Petersons Champagne House the Hunters only specialist in Sparkling wine. Last stop is at Tamburlaine Winery before returning to your accommodation. Dinner this evening at the award winning Robert's Restaurant (BLD)

DAY 5 After breakfast, proceed through the Lower Hunter region towards the coast arriving at Port Stephens with it's white sands and emerald waters. Here we join a Catamaran for a 1 1/2 hour Dolphin Cruise around Nelson Bay. At the completion of the cruise we rejoin our vehicle and transfer to Stockton Beach for a 1 hour sand dune adventure through the largest sand dunes in the southern hemisphere.. Dinner this evening will be Salamander Shores. Overnight at Port Stephens. (BLD)

DAY 6 A leisurely start today and time free to explore on your own or relax around the pool before returning to Sydney. (B)

Prices on application.
Inclusions: courtesy hotel pick up & set down, private vehicle with experienced driver guide, Hunter Cellars School, Hunter Valley wineries tasting and tours, dolphin cruise, national parks, 1 night Leura Blue Mountains Resort, 3 nights at Vineyard Resort Hunter Valley, 1 night Port Stephens Country Comfort Hotel, daily breakfast, 5 lunches, 4 dinners

Tour costs are based on a minimum of 2 passengers
(tour costs for group sizes over 4 passengers are available on request)
SIC = Coach tour with other travellers
private charter = exclusive vehicle with personal driver/guide
Customised tour itineraries are available on request
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Last Updated: 20.10.04 | Copyright 1998 of Encounter Australia