Travel Safety

As with any trip, we encourage all travellers to seek the most updated travel information relating to their destination prior to departure. Please be sure to monitor the information we are releasing on the changing environment while in the Hunter Valley region to stay up-to-date with the latest travel alerts.

For all general traffic enquiries relating to getting here please visit livetraffic.com.

For all general travel enquiries relating to the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic please visit the Smart Traveller Site.

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association (HVWTA) is working closely with Tourism Australia, Destination NSW and Wine Australia to bring you the most updated travel information.  We are following the advice and regulations set out by the World Health Organisation, Australian Government, NSW Government and NSW Department of Health.  However, everyone is encouraged to exercise personal responsibility for personal hygiene and social distancing to prevent community transmission.

As of Monday 1st June all travel restrictions within NSW have been lifted, which includes travel to regional areas such as the Hunter Valley.  We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back and are following the guidelines and regulations as set out by the NSW Government. We're also encouraging everyone to exercise personal responsibility for social distancing to keep all our community and visitors safe. However, as of Wednesday 8th July the NSW Government has temporarily closed the NSW-Victoria border. Under the Public Health (COVID-19 Border Control) Order 2020, people who have been in Victoria within the previous 14 days will not be allowed to enter NSW unless they are exempt or they have a border entry permit. As of 1am Saturday 8th August, Queensland will close its border to all of New South Wales and the ACT.

We have created a downloadable and printable guide with the amended business operations and trading hours for operators in the Hunter Valley as at Thursday 6th August 2020.  However, due to the range of restriction changes to guidelines we will be updating this guide regularly as we hear from our operators in the Hunter Valley.

As of Friday 17 July 2020 new rules have been introduced to pubs across NSW that will limit group bookings to a maximum of 10 people and cap the number of customers inside a venue to 300 people. For those venues which have multiple dining areas on the premises, the 300 people cap applies per individual dining area. View changes on the NSW Government website here.  From Friday 24 July 2020 cafes, restaurants, cellar doors, breweries, distilleries, bars, clubs and all other indoor and hospitality venues will have the same restrictions that currently apply to pubs. Please keep updated via the NSW Government website for all changes regarding COVID-19 restrictions.

From 17 July businesses can open and operate under the one person per four square metre rule with a maximum upper limit of 300 (previously no upper limit).  There are different rules and regulations which apply to different businesses within the Hunter Valley, these can be found below:

• Cellar Doors, Restaurants, Cafes and Bars
• Tour Operators
• Accommodation
• Attractions / Retail / Function Centres

If in doubt please refer to the NSW Government website for what you can and can't do under the current rules. You can also read the Public Health Order amendment No. 4.

As businesses adapt to COVID-19 restrictions, visitors are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and make a booking, whether it be for a tasting experience at a cellar door, dining in a restaurant or cafe, embarking on a wine tour, making an accommodation reservation or taking part in an activity. Bookings are essential to ensure businesses have capacity to host you and so you don't miss out.  We want to make sure you have the best possible experience in Hunter Valley Wine Country and booking ahead will allow that to happen.

We understand the adjustment to the ‘new normal’ is challenging, so we ask that you please be mindful of current regulations and remain patient and calm as we all navigate our way through these uncertain times together.

The HVWTA aims to provide the most up-to-date changes in business operations for listings on our website but if in doubt please contact the business direct to confirm. We also recommend that you stay informed by downloading the official Australian Government “Coronavirus Australia” app in the Apple App Store or Google Play, or join the Australian Government WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android.  The COVIDSafe app speeds up contacting people exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19). This helps health officials support and protect you, your friends and family. The app is now available from the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Please remember to be kind to each other in this challenging time of uncertainty. Stay safe, be mindful of others and check in on your family, friends and loved ones.

For all enquiries please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0499 053 655 and a member of our team will respond to you in a timely manner.