The Autumn school holidays are hot on the horizon, and what better place to seek adventure and make memories with the family than in the Hunter Valley! With an abundance of fun activities and plenty of accommodation offerings to suit your tribe, book your Autumn escape today. Here are ten fun things to do with kids in the Hunter Valley these school holidays.
Mega Creatures at Hunter Valley Gardens
Step into a prehistoric world of imagination, where towering dinosaurs, giant insects and mythical creatures roam the Gardens! Discover dinosaurs, giant insects and mythical creatures, including T-Rex, Stegosaurus, Spinosaurus and more! Come during the day, or book the after dark 'Night Safari' experience with dazzling lights illuminated the dinosaurs and mythical creatures. Continue the adventure with the amazing rides including the Ferris Wheel and tea-cups. Mega Creatures is on every day between Saturday 28th March and Sunday 26th April. Click here for more information.
Family friendly wineries and kids tasting experiences
Why should the adults get to have all the fun? Many Hunter Valley wineries are family friendly offering expansive outdoor areas to play, colouring in and other activities. Check out places like Talits Estate, Degen Wines, Mercer Wines, Scarborough Wine Co., Elbourne Wines, and Stomp! Wines who offer outdoor activities, or take a self-guided tour through the impressive sculpture park with the kids at Winmark Wines where kids will receive A3 colouring maps and crayons to spark their creativity as they stop and sketch the artworks they see.
For something extra special, let the kids join in with their own non-alcoholic tastings, usually offering tasty juices matched with sweet treats. Places like Tulloch Wines, Wild Ren Wines, Pokolbin Estate, Scarborough Wines (during Easter long weekend), Winmark Wines, Degen Estate and Saddler's Creek Wines offer kids tastings to go along-side your wine tasting. It's a fun and delicious way for everyone to be entertained!
Say G’Day to the Easter Bunny
If you are visiting over Easter, be sure to pay a visit to the Easter bunny who will hopping-along to many venues in the Hunter Valley. Over the long weekend, young adventurers can embark on the ultimate quest during the Easter Egg Hunt at Hunter Valley Gardens spanning across the Easter long weekend. Enjoy an Easter Feast at Chateau Elan's Feaster on Saturday 4th April, or on Easter Sunday join the excitement at Nineteen with live music, face painting and a visit from the Easter bunny, or the petting zoo and live music at Chateau Elan from 1pm. For more information on Easter in the Hunter Valley, click here.
Visit Starline Alpaca Farmstay
Take the kids to visit the Starline Alpaca Farmstay, a working alpaca farm in the Broke Fordwich region of the Hunter Valley. Get up close to the alpacas with their hands-on feeding experience, walking around the farm you'll see not only alpacas but donkeys too! Their peaceful and relaxing farm also offers 15 self-contained cottages, ranging from family style cottages, three-bedroom deluxe cottages, cottages for larger groups, and a cottage just perfect for two.
Horse Riding
Saddle up and enjoy spectacular valley views. Take it outdoors and explore the Hunter Valley's natural wonders with a horse riding adventure, trail ride or tour. Check out Hunter Valley Horses and Hunter Valley Horse Riding and Adventures.
Four wheeled fun
Get the adrenaline pumping at the region's biggest, fastest and most exciting 4-stroke go kart hire track with a massive 850m long track at Go Karts Go Hunter Valley! Or get the heart racing in a performance rally car at the Rally School! Located just out of Pokolbin in Aberdare, the Rally School offers a team of professional and experienced drivers to show you the ropes for an exhilarating time.
Aqua Golf & Putt Putt
Be sure to check out Hunter Valley Putt-Putt and Aqua Golf at the Hunter Valley Gardens. Whether it's your first time or tenth time playing, it is always guaranteed to be great fun for the whole family - plus you can win some epic local prizes!
E-Bikes and Escape Rooms
Activities are aplenty at Sutton Estate! Whether you’re wanting to solve a scary mystery, be engrossed in strategic games or taking a leisurely electric bike ride through the Around Hermitage area, they have the plenty on offer to keep your tribe busy.
On-site resort children’s activities
Book your getaway at one of the many resorts with plenty of fun to be had by the whole family! Plan your family getaway at places like Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, voco Kirkton Park, Oaks Cypress Lakes, Palmers Lane Estate or Chateau Elan Hunter Valley.
If you are looking for a holiday home, check out Hunter Valley Stays, Whitevale Estate Accommodation, Weekenda, Englewood Ridge, Millfield Waters, Pokolbin Farmstay, Sweetacres Hunter Valley and Winmark Wines. For the full list of holiday homes click here.
Zip around on a Segway
The Adventure Centre offers a range of activities for the whole family including off-road Segways! Whether you want to shoot your shot and play Segway soccer, or zip around on an off-road segway tour through the vineyards, The Adventure Centre at The Farm has you covered.
Bush walk through our national parks
Get the heart rate pumping with an unhurried bush walk through one of the many national parks. For breathtaking views across the Hunter Valley, you can hike up to Mount Bright Lookout, Bimbadeen Lookout or Pokolbin Mountains Road lookout. Check our all the walks here.
This article was created by Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association.