Hunter Valley Wine & Cheese Tour: Pokolbin Wineries

Three boutique wineries, twenty wines, artisan cheese, and lunch by the lake—all in one day from Sydney

A small-group wine and cheese tour from Sydney to Hunter Valley's Pokolbin area, visiting 3–4 family-owned boutique wineries where winemakers share their craft in person. You taste up to 20 premium Hunter Valley varietals including Semillon and Shiraz, sample local artisan cheeses with expert guidance, enjoy lakeside lunch with a glass of wine, and travel in a comfortable air-conditioned coach with a certified guide. The tour runs 11 hours and returns to Sydney by early evening; minimum age is 18 for wine tastings.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hunter Valley wine and cheese tour

• Board coach at pickup point
• Drive 2 hours to Hunter Valley
• Pass through Cessnock town
• Visit two boutique family-owned wineries
• Sample up to 20 premium wines
• Enjoy lunch with wine and lake views
• Drive past Hunter Valley Gardens
• Guided tasting of local artisan cheeses
• Visit Saddler's Creek winery for wine tasting
• Return drive crossing Hawkesbury River
• Arrive back at original pickup points

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from central Sydney and a 2-hour scenic drive across Sydney Harbour Bridge, past Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, and over the Hawkesbury River to reach Hunter Valley. Your guide shares regional history and points out landmarks along the way, so the journey itself frames what you're about to taste. The route passes through Cessnock, the historic gateway town, before arriving in Pokolbin—the heart of Australia's oldest wine region.

In the morning you visit two carefully selected boutique family-owned wineries, the kind that don't dominate the mainstream circuit. Saddlers Creek, Hanging Tree Wines, and Ernest Hill Wines are the types of properties where passionate winemakers personally share their craft and vineyard stories instead of pouring from behind a counter. You sample up to 20 premium wine varieties—classic Hunter Valley Semillon, elegant Chardonnay, robust Shiraz, and innovative blends—many available exclusively at these cellar doors. The small-group format (maximum 14 participants) is what makes this access possible; larger tours cannot fit into these intimate spaces.

Lunch arrives in a relaxed setting surrounded by lake views, with both hot and cold options and a glass of wine included. After eating, you move into guided artisan cheese tastings featuring local varieties crafted by regional producers—the guide explains how premium cheeses enhance wine appreciation and the stories behind the makers. The tour then passes the Hunter Valley Gardens precinct, a 60-acre botanical display with over 5,000 rose bushes and a scenic lake walk, before concluding at another handpicked boutique winery where you sample final varietals and hear deeper insights into Hunter Valley's winemaking traditions. The return journey crosses the Hawkesbury River and Mooney Mooney Bridge, arriving back at your original Sydney pickup points by 6–6:30pm depending on traffic.

What’s included

• Comfortable air-conditioned coach for the full 2-hour drive each way.
• pickup and drop-off from central Sydney meeting points.
• tastings at 3–4 boutique family-owned wineries in Pokolbin featuring up to 20 premium Hunter Valley varietals.
• guided artisan cheese tasting with local varieties and expert explanations.
• lakeside lunch with hot and cold options and a glass of wine.
• award-winning guide with certified wine knowledge.
• kangaroo spotting amongst the vines (sightings not guaranteed).

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Activity Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling without a car—pickup from central Sydney means you skip driving unfamiliar roads and can drink freely throughout the day.

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Top questions

What kinds of wines will I taste on this Hunter Valley tour?

You sample up to 20 premium varieties across 3–4 boutique wineries, including classic Hunter Valley Semillon and Shiraz, elegant Chardonnay, and innovative blends. Many are available exclusively at the family-owned properties you visit, so you're tasting wines you cannot find elsewhere.

How long is the drive from Sydney to Hunter Valley?

The scenic drive to Pokolbin takes 2 hours each way, crossing Sydney Harbour Bridge, passing Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, and traveling over the Hawkesbury River. Your guide shares regional history and landmarks during the journey, so the travel time is part of the experience.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Yes, lakeside lunch with both hot and cold options is included, along with a glass of wine to complement your meal. You eat in a relaxed setting surrounded by lake views.

What is the cheese tasting like on this tour?

The guided artisan cheese tasting features local varieties crafted by regional producers. An expert explains how premium cheeses enhance wine appreciation and shares the stories behind the makers, so you understand what you're tasting and why it pairs with the wines.

What time does the tour return to Sydney?

The tour arrives back at your original pickup points by 6–6:30pm, depending on traffic. The full day runs 11 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Do I need to be a wine expert to join this tour?

No. Your award-winning guide and certified sommeliers share wine knowledge at every stop, explaining varietals, terroir, and winemaking traditions. The small-group format means you can ask questions as you taste, and the winemakers themselves often share their craft personally.