BROKE FORDWICH
Pack your bags and head for the pastoral paradise that is Broke Fordwich. It’s a peaceful pocket of the Hunter Valley that flies under the radar – just a 20-minute drive but a world away from Pokolbin.
This is where locals go to chill out and relax. It’s home to the largest organic vineyard in the Hunter, a chef’s hatted restaurant, significant aboriginal history, stunning scenery, sprawling olive groves and hands-on, award-winning winemakers. And peace and quiet. Lots and lots of peace and quiet.
You may be surprised to learn that it’s the location of many of the Hunter’s greatest vineyards but only has a handful of dedicated wine producers and cellar doors. They may be small in number but they punch above their weight, serving some of the best boutique wines around.
And the locals love a social shindig, holding countless events with a food and wine focus throughout the year. These include the monthly community market held on the first Sunday of each month in Broke village and two big-ticket events: A Little Bit of Italy held each April, which celebrates all things Italian, and the Broke Village Fair & Vintage Car Display in September.
It’s just what the doctor ordered if you want to really unwind, with plenty of comfy country style accommodation tucked away in the hills and in olive groves, farms and vineyards.
Planning a visit to Hunter Valley Wine Country and hoping to take the road less travelled? Why not enjoy a scenic drive on Tourist Drive 33, along the Great North Road or Convict Trail, and through the beautiful countryside. Tourist Drive 33 is the scenic gateway to the spectacular Hunter Valley stretching from the Peats Ridge exit on the M1 near Sydney, to Branxton in the heart of wine country along the historic Great North Road.
