THE GRAPEVINE BLOG

Looking for the latest news, stories, tips and local knowledge to help plan your trip? Discover what is happening on the Hunter Valley Grapevine.

Stress-free stays. Different ways to explore the Hunter Valley with our tour guide experts

Ditch the designated driver arguments – the secret to a stress-free getaway is to book a local tour guide to give you an insider's guide to the Hunter Valley.

We have hop-on, hop-off buses, small group tours, individual tour guides, horse carriages, helicopters – you name it! We have done the hard yards for you with our top picks below. Sit back, relax and enjoy the drive, the view and the wine.

Grape to Glass Boutique Wine Tours

Grape to Glass Boutique Wine Tours specialise in small, personalised, private tours of the Hunter Valley with the most popular tour being the dog-friendly wine tours. Offering a dedicated pet friendly tour van for up to 6 people and 2 doggos, you can visit cellar doors where the group and their pet are welcome into the main tasting areas (and always undercover if outside). They also provide dog walking and handmade treats from 'Pooches Patisserie' as well as providing doggy bowls, water and pet first aid on board.

Drive U Now

Drive U Now, with a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor, provides bespoke tours and transfers throughout the Hunter Valley Wine.

Our services include VIP Wine Tours for two in a vintage Rolls-Royce, wedding car hire and tours and transfers for groups of up to six.

Drive U Now also offer Concert, Function and Airport transfers.

Dave's Travel Group: Grains & Grapes in the Hunter

Dave's has been operating small group tours in the Hunter for over 6 years and while they started with just behind the scenes tours of breweries with our Hop Hunter tour, they have now expanded to the other best flavours of the region.

Daily dedicated wine, gin and chocolate tour, the Taste Of The Hunter includes a winery production tour and for those looking for all the drinks, the mixed brewery and winery tour, Grains & Grapes, visits breweries, wineries and distilleries, so everyone is happy, no matter their tipple.

For whatever flavours you are into, Dave's has you covered on our all-inclusive daily tours that include lunch and all tastings.

Operating 7 days departing Sydney and Newcastle with accommodation pick up and drop off in the Hunter from Cessnock, Lovedale, Pokolbin and Rothbury.

iHop Hunter Valley

In 2015 husband and wife team, Tim & Kristy, launched Australia's first wine region Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Service in the Hunter Valley, shortly followed with a range of fully guided day and night tours that focus on food and drink experiences designed to showcase the best the Hunter Valley Region has to offer.

Now specialising in a unique range of tours to suit all budgets and tastes from self-guided personalised Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, to On-Demand Transport Service, Premium Food and Drink Pairing Tours, Half Day Tours, Afternoon & Night Tours, customised Private and Corporate Tours!

  • Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours - Customise your own Hunter Valley Wine Tour aboard Hunter Valley's only Hop-On Hop-Off Buses. Choose between two different timetables that visits 30 designated stops, accessing over 60 venues throughout the Pokolbin and Lovedale

Regions – all at your own pace!

  • Food & Drink Pairing Tours - Taste and Dine your way around the scenic Hunter Region, indulging in 4 selected tasting experiences each at a different venue, that celebrates beautiful local produce paired with premium Hunter Valley wines and aged whiskies or craft beers on a tasting adventure with a difference!
  • Half Day Tours - What do you enjoy? You can have it all in this packed Half Day Tour visiting a trio of different venues. Enjoy local premium wines and produce, "get blind" and have some fun on our Mystery wine tasting and cap it all off with a delicious lunch with your choice of craft beers or wines.
  • Twilight Tours - Swirl, sip and taste your way around Australia's oldest wine producing region and thriving micro-brewery scene as we journey from day into night taking in views of rolling vineyards and indulging in the culinary delights of the Hunter after dark, on an all-inclusive guided tasting and dinner adventure!

Hunter Valley Helicopters

Hunter Valley Helicopters is a locally owned and operated company based at Cessnock Aerodrome, in the Heart of the Wine Region.

They offer a range of helicopter flights, including scenic flights, weddings, airport transfers or even a flight out over the coast. They also offer other services such as aerial survey, aerial photography/filming, corporate transfer or team building events.

One of the most popular tours is the Picnic amongst the Vines package

Experience the absolute romance of being whisked away for a picnic escape in your own private helicopter to the beautiful grounds and wines of Ivanhoe Wines. Relax next to the water, stroll the beautiful grounds and check out the vines or just kick back in the sun and let the world pass you by. This package is for the couple who just wants to sit back, relax and enjoy the most beautiful spot the hunter has to offer in each other's company.

Package includes:

Your own personal helicopter and pilot

Departure from Cessnock airport

Helicopter transfer to and from Ivan hoe wines

Picnic hamper and wine tasting

A personal tour of the hunter valley from the sky

Breath taking views that you can only get in a helicopter!

Enter the promo code Heli10 for 10% off any package

Hunter Valley Classic Carriages

Book an amazing classic carriage experience for the month of April to enjoy 20% off your booking! For more than 26 years Hunter Valley Classic Carriages has been a trusted tour brand and the Hunter Valleys foremost experiential tour option. With a fleet of over 18 vehicles see the spectacular Hunter Valley Wine Country from the comfort of one of the many Classic Carriages, Tour Buses or Tour Vehicles. Experience unique, immersive, experiential Wine Tours and Private Charters including Exclusive Couples Tours, Private Group Tours (4-30), Immersive Experiential Tours & Experiences, Kids & Family Tours, Wedding Carriages, Winery Experiences, Private Bus & 4 X 4. 'Truly Immersive Entertainment at its Best!'

Open 7 Days a Week, 8am to 10pm

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