Hunter Valley

We were incredibly lucky to be the first hot air balloon to take off that day.
We had a perfect view of the entire sunrise process from up in the air.
After sunrise, there were seven balloons in the sky. It felt surreal - like we had stepped right into one of those scenes we'd only ever seen on TV.

Hunter Valley is about 160 kilometers from Sydney's city center, roughly a two-hour drive. Although the opposite-side driving took some getting used to, the journey wasn't difficult since everyone strictly follows traffic rules and courteously gives way - it really makes you reflect on civic consciousness. Since we were traveling independently, mobile navigation was crucial. I had downloaded both Explore and Baidu offline maps before leaving China. Using them together provided reliable navigation even without signal, with accurate positioning and directions.

The road conditions were excellent and the scenery was beautiful. I particularly loved the residential cottages in the small towns we passed through. Each house had its own unique character and distinctive design, with colorful flowers blooming in every front yard and lawns manicured as perfectly as football fields - absolutely gorgeous.

After more than two hours of driving, we arrived at Hunter Valley. It was like stepping into Snow White's fairy tale world with the seven dwarfs! Green meadows stretched across the hillsides, pretty wooden cabins perched on hilltops, and vineyards spread out everywhere. Kangaroos could be seen poking their heads up in the grasslands, and charming wineries were tucked away in this paradise-like setting.

After the hot air balloon ride, the driver took us to Hunter Valley Estate for breakfast. The buffet was abundant with plenty of choices - finally, the most proper breakfast we'd had since arriving in Australia!

It's a peaceful and beautiful estate, lush with greenery and flowing streams.

The estate also keeps alpacas, which are very friendly to humans. During my time there, I hadn't seen a single one spit - contrary to their reputation!

I couldn't resist taking a photo of an adorably cute baby alpaca, but being shy, it gave me quite the tsundere face.

I really enjoy it here - there's the wine estates and golf, though golf is my main draw. I try to come back for a round periodically.

For sale: 2 Hunter Valley hot air balloon tickets, flexible dates, valid until 2026. Package includes hotel transfers and breakfast. Please DM if interested.

The setting is stunning - rolling vineyards extend across the landscape. The wine quality is superb, and it's just a convenient drive from Sydney. No wonder it's such a renowned wine region!

Hunter Valley offers countless experiences: hot air balloon rides over vineyards at sunrise, wild kangaroo spotting, wine tasting, winery photo tours, outdoor dining by Swan Lake, horseback riding, botanical garden visits, and mountain bike rentals (single or tandem) for exploring the estates. You can stay in boutique villas, castles, or resorts. Nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers will always find something that suits their taste here.

Locals even have flying clubs, and you'll spot private planes parked in various locations. For the full experience, I strongly recommend staying at least one night, especially if you want to catch the sunrise hot air balloon ride.

The only drawback is transportation - having your own car gives you the most freedom. We stayed for one night and less than two full days. Unfortunately, weather conditions prevented us from seeing the most beautiful sunrise from the balloon - I wish we could have stayed three or four nights to explore at a more relaxed pace.

Many scenic wineries have their own restaurants, featuring organic farms and excellent chefs - the food quality is guaranteed and highly recommended! If you're not interested in wineries, a day trip might feel underwhelming. It's better to treat this as a resort destination and explore it slowly. As for accommodation, five-star hotels here are slightly cheaper than their Sydney counterparts.

Skip the organized tours - they're too rushed to truly appreciate the area. Self-driving is the way to go here. The landscape is stunning, and you'll love how peaceful and uncrowded it is.

Unfortunately, our tight schedule only allowed for a brief drive-through and lunch before we had to return to Sydney's city center. We didn't get the chance to properly explore the wineries as they deserve.

With over 120 wineries to choose from, Hunter Valley offers an incredible variety of wines. While the vast vineyards show only their bare frames and branches during off-season, one can imagine the alluring sight of plump, ripe grape clusters during harvest time.

While the natural scenery is stunning, wine tasting is the main attraction in Hunter Valley. Most wineries offer complimentary tastings, and although some display signs indicating a AUD5 fee for non-members, we weren't charged at any of the wineries we visited. The wineries are spread out, so you'll need transportation to get around. If you can't drive, local wine tours are an excellent option - you can fully enjoy the tastings without worrying about drinking and driving. Many locals prefer to make it a weekend getaway, staying overnight to enjoy a leisurely two-day experience.

Another delightful way to explore is by horse-drawn carriage. The winery staff are incredibly welcoming, sharing their knowledge about each wine's characteristics while engaging in friendly conversation during tastings.

We visited four wineries, sampling wines from their tasting lists. There's no pressure to buy - you're free to taste and purchase only what you like, and the staff remain cheerful and friendly regardless of whether you make a purchase. It was perfect - fine wines, beautiful scenery, and great company. What more could you ask for?

Generally, the price of a bottle of wine is between 20 and 30 Australian dollars, and the best ones are only 60 dollars. If we didn't have to drive further north, we probably would have bought a lot of wine to take back and share with our friends. I also tasted a kind of wine here that really impressed my taste buds. I was as happy as if I had found a treasure.

This valley is a basin surrounded by mountains on all sides, with only one entrance and exit. That's why Sydney's prison is located here. The prison provides three meals a day. Inmates are allowed to go out to buy things, and there are facilities like tennis courts and the like.  

The Hunter Valley, a name full of poetry, is about a two-hour drive from the urban area of Sydney. It is the largest river valley in New South Wales and Australia's most famous wine-making region. With more than 120 wineries, it has become a favorite leisure destination for locals, second only to the beach.

In the Hunter Valley, vineyards and wineries can be seen everywhere. Each winery offers a variety of wines for tourists to taste. No matter which winery's tasting area you go to, the staff will actively take out glasses and present their winery's signature wines for you to sample. And it's definitely not just one kind. Usually, according to your preference after tasting, and after asking about your taste habits, they will continuously bring out more types of wine for you to try. 

For those who love red wine, it's a good idea to stay there for one night. You can taste a lot of red wine produced by local wineries and also play golf. There are many accommodation options. It's about a two-hour drive from Sydney.