Hunter Valley

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.