Events Survival Guide

Are you planning to attend one (or a few!) of the fabulous events we have coming up in the Hunter Valley? If so, there is a list of things you should make sure you tick off before the event date.

See below a ‘To Do List’ to follow to ensure you are fully prepared for your getaway to Wine Country:

 Book your Accommodation – This the first & most important step! If you are planning to stay in the Hunter Valley to attend the event, it’s important that you book your accommodation as soon as (or sometime before) you purchase your tickets. When a big act is announced, accommodation books up almost immediately & if you leave it too late, you will be disappointed. Also keep in mind that a lot of places in Wine Country have a two night minimum on weekends, so expect to make a weekend of it & stay the two nights. Click here to start your Accommodation Search.

 Book your Tickets – If you are keen, book your tickets as soon as your hear the event tickets go on sale. There are many ticket outlets that sell tickets to Hunter Valley shows including Ticketek & Ticketmaster, however you may also be able to book your tickets from local venues, tour websites such as www.adayonthegreen.com.au or from the Visitors Centre (where you can purchase your tickets will depend on the event you wish to attend)

 Book your Transfers – If you are planning to attend an event in the Hunter Valley, surely you want to enjoy a drop or two of our finest? In that case, you will need to get to & from the concert the safest & easiest way possible. Rover Coaches is our local bus company which offers transfers to & from concerts from most of the accommodation in the Valley as well as afar. You can either book your transfer through the Visitors Centre or at Rover Coaches directly. And if you missed the all important first step (booking your accommodation) they also provide transfers from outside the local area such as Port Stephens, Newcastle, Maitland & Central Coast. Check out their website for pick up times & where they will be picking up from: www.rovercoaches.com.au

 Research the FAQ’s – Depending on the event you are attending & where it is being held, there are some questions you might have that can be answered simply. Such as; "Is there parking?", "Can I BYO food or alcohol?", "Who is the support act?", "What time do the gates open?". Almost all of the time, you can find these details on the event website. For events at Hope Estate, go to www.hopeestate.com.au, for event at Bimbadgen Estate (A Day on the Green), go to www.adayonthegreen.com.au, for Jazz in the Vines go to www.jazzinthevines.com.au.

 Organise your weekend – So you have organised to visit Wine Country for the weekend to see your favourite act. However the concert only goes for 3 hours on Saturday or Sunday night, so what are you going to do the rest of the time you are here? This is your chance to explore & find your own Hunter Valley gems & secrets. Discover one, or many, of the 150 wineries, indulge in local produce, dine out in one of our fabulous restaurants or enjoy a pre or post-event drink. You can unearth some exciting local artisans, wander the Hunter Valley Gardens, take a wine tour or even attend another event!! There is a myriad of options, find out by clicking on the links above or click here to order your copy of our 2012 Visitors Guide.

 How to get to the Hunter Valley – There are many different ways to get to the Hunter Valley. Here are some options:

Self Drive from Sydney
Route 1 (For the quickest & most straightforward route): Over Sydney Harbour Bridge and follow the Pacific Highway towards Hornsby. Before Hornsby (at Wahroonga) take National Highway 1 (F3 Freeway) north towards Newcastle. After 100 kms (1 hour), exit the National Highway 1 at the Cessnock/Hunter Valley Vineyards exit sign. Follow the signs to Cessnock/Vineyards.
Route 2 (For a scenic, leisurely drive): Tourist Route T33 – Turn off National Highway 1 (F3 Freeway) at Peats Ridge. This route will take you through scenic mountains and into the Hunter Valley at the historic town of Wollombi.

By Bus
Experience the freedom of travelling by coach. Click here to view several local & Sydney based tour operators that pick up & and drop off from Sydney. For a public coach, Rover Coaches can pick up from Morisset Train Station & they match their transfers with the train timetable. For more information on getting to the Hunter Valley by train, see below.

By Train
To travel by train, the most convenient stations to depart from are at Maitland, Newcastle or Morisset. There are connecting buses from each of these stations to the Hunter Valley. For train timetables, click here or call 131500. For information on connecting buses, click here or call 02 4990 1699.

By Plane
If you are travelling in style (or can afford to!), Cessnock Airport is the closest airport, based in the heart of Hunter Valley Wine Country. However it is accessible by private charter & helicopters only.  For domestic flights, Newcastle Airport is approximately 1 hour drive from Hunter Valley Wine Country. Flights depart from Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane & Melbourne daily direct to Newcastle. For more information, click here or call 02 4928 9800.