Hunter Valley

  Hunter Valley holidays may be on your mind now but the region has an interesting history. The Wonnarua ("people of the hills and plains") were the first inhabitants of the (Coquun) Hunter Valley, with the Worimi to the north eastern shores, and the Awabakal to the south eastern shores. The Wonnarua have occupied the upper Hunter for at least 30,000 years. The three tribes travelled along an ancient trading route between the Sydney area and the Hunter Valley, to exchange goods and perform ceremonies at various sites along the way. With the arrival of European settlers in the early 19th century, the lands of the Hunter Valley were estranged and transformed by occupation, clearing, cultivation and building, driving out Aboriginal communities and greatly reducing their numbers through disease. There are plenty of opportunities to learn about the areas on history when you plan you Hunter Valley itinerary.

  The first sighting of the Hunter River by European settlers was in 1797, when it was discovered by chance by Lieutenant John Shortland during a search for escaped convicts. The Hunter Valley’s initial value was as a source of timber and coal for the steamships that provided much of the transport for Sydney and its surroundings. The first overland route to the Hunter was discovered in 1820 by John Howe and a road-way was constructed largely along his path from Windsor to Singleton in 1823. This is now the Putty Road, familiar as a picturesque, if rather winding, shortcut for travellers from western Sydney to the Hunter Valley. Howe’s Valley, towards the northern end, commemorates the route’s pioneer.

  By 1930 the Pokolbin area had built a reputation for quality wine production. A number of qualified winemakers enhanced the Hunter Valley’s reputation in Sydney and Melbourne, led by the famous Maurice O’Shea of Mount Pleasant, arguably the father of Australian table wine. At Lindeman’s Ben Ean, two pioneer winemakers helped establish the reputation of the Hunter Valley, Hans Mollenhauer and Karl Stockhausen. The great families of the Hunter Valley, of which some have been in the area for six generations, also made significant contributions to what the area is today. The Tullochs, the Tyrrells and the Draytons are considered pioneers of the Australian wine industry and to this day continue to leave their mark on the Hunter Valley and the wider industry.

About 150km north of Sydney, this stunning food and wine region is easily accessible by car, train or tour. The most direct route by car is an easy drive that takes about two hours from Sydney. Daily train services depart from Sydney's Central Station for the Hunter towns of Maitland, Newcastle or Singleton. Connecting buses and tours will help you explore the area further. Several operators run day tours from Sydney and Newcastle. Flying to the Hunter Valley is another option with daily flights from Sydney to Newcastle Airport, from where you can hire a car.

The climate in the Hunter Valley is moderate, similar to a Mediterranean climate. In summer the average daily temperature exceeds 21.1°C and in winter the average minimum temperature is 4.4°C. January is the hottest month and July the coldest. 

  The heaviest rainfalls are in summer, with a secondary peak just before winter with an average annual rainfall of 750mm.

Summer

  Summer can be warm in the Hunter Valley. However, the intermittent thunderstorms throughout the season as well as the cool breezes coming from the ocean at night make sure both grapes and visitors alike are cooled. There are plenty of crisp, cool Hunter Valley whites to enjoy and swimming pools to dive into to make summer a great time for a visit. Summer is harvest time and therefore also an exciting and vibrant time of year. Harvest starts around the end of January and continues on until March.

AUTUMN

  As the summer rolls on and autumn days draw closer, many of the vine leaves turn a warm orange-red hue and start dropping off the vines. Autumn is the time to celebrate nature’s bounty and the year’s harvest. Lovedale Long Lunch is a popular annual event celebrated by seasoned regulars & newcomers to the experience in May.

Winter

  Winter in Wine Country is a beautiful time of the year, with clear blue skies and mild temperatures averaging 18°C during the day and cozy fireplaces and winter-warming food at night. Even in winter, the Hunter Valley is a sight to be seen. The stark contrast of the dormant grapevines and display of winter grass and flowers in the vineyards will delight every photographer.

Spring

Spring is a particularly picturesque time in the area. The vines spring to life with delicate light green foliage and the hills and pastures are green. The gardens of the Hunter Valley are brimming with blooms and the Festival of Flowers is on in the months of August and September. Temperatures are in the early 20's, and the good weather lends itself to outdoor events such as the Jazz in the Vines and Opera in the Vineyards.