A Hunter Valley day is one of the most popular trips we run, and a minibus is the easiest way to do it. Your group travels together from Sydney, visits the cellar doors you choose, takes a proper lunch and comes home with nobody behind the wheel. With 12, 20 and 24 seat vehicles, we can size the tour to a few couples, a group of friends, a club or an office team.
How far is the Hunter Valley from Sydney?
Pokolbin, the heart of the Hunter wine country, is about a two hour drive north of Sydney, depending on where you are picked up and the traffic on the way out of the city. Most groups leave between 7am and 8:30am, reach the first cellar door mid morning and are back in Sydney in the early evening. Visit NSW has a good overview of Pokolbin and the surrounding area to help with planning.
A typical day
- Morning pickup: from one or two meeting points, or a short run of home pickups for small groups.
- First cellar door: arrive around mid morning for a tasting while the group is fresh.
- Second stop: another winery, or a cheese, chocolate or olive oil stop for variety.
- Lunch: a booked lunch at a winery restaurant or cafe, usually the longest stop of the day.
- Afternoon: one or two more tastings, a lookout or a browse through the shops.
- Home: a relaxed drive back to Sydney with drop-offs at your meeting points.
Four or five stops is a comfortable day. Packing in more tends to mean more time getting on and off the bus and less time enjoying each place.
Which vehicle for a winery day?
- 12 seater minibus: couples and small groups. Easy to park at smaller cellar doors.
- 20 seater minibus: friends, clubs and work teams of 13 to 20.
- 24 seater mini coach: coach-style seats and large windows for a long day on the road.
Planning tips
- Book tastings ahead. Many cellar doors take group bookings and some require them, especially on weekends.
- Book lunch early. Popular winery restaurants fill quickly on Saturdays and in spring.
- Keep the route tight. Wineries are spread across the valley, so ask us to help put your stops in a sensible order.
- Allow for driver breaks. A full day to the Hunter and back needs breaks for the driver, which we build into the plan.
- Bring water. Bottled water is fine on board. Food and other drinks, including wine bought during the day, must stay sealed and stored.
Who books Hunter Valley tours with us
Groups of friends, couples celebrating an anniversary, office teams on a reward day, sporting and social clubs, and visitors from overseas who want to see more of NSW than the city. We also run Hunter transfers for weddings at vineyard venues. See wedding transfers.
What is included
- A professional driver who holds a Working With Children Check
- Fuel and the vehicle for the full day
- Private use: your group only, with no other passengers
- Seatbelt-equipped vehicles, which can be confirmed when you book
Tastings, lunch and entry fees are booked and paid by your group directly with each venue.
Choosing your stops
The Hunter has far more cellar doors than any group can visit in a day, so it helps to decide what kind of day you want. Some groups like a mix of large, well known estates and small family wineries. Others plan around one long lunch and keep the tastings short. If your group includes people who do not drink wine, add a cheese, chocolate, olive oil or distillery stop so everyone has something to enjoy. Keep stops in the same part of the valley where you can, because time spent driving between distant wineries adds up quickly. Tell us your shortlist and we will suggest an order that keeps the driving to a minimum and gets you home at a sensible hour.
Hunter Valley tour FAQs
Can you suggest wineries?
We can suggest a running order and how many stops will fit. You choose the venues and book the tastings and lunch.
Can we change the plan on the day?
Small changes are usually fine, such as swapping the order of two stops. Larger changes may affect the finish time, so talk to the driver early.
Can we combine a tour with an overnight stay?
Yes. We can take your group up on one day and collect you on another. Ask for a two day quote.
Is the Hunter too far for a 12 seater?
No. The 12 seater is a common choice for small groups, and the drive is comfortable with a stop on the way.
Plan your Hunter Valley day: send your date, pickup points and group size through our online quote form or call 0452 104 173. See more day tours from Sydney.