The ultimate 48-hour itinerary for exploring wine country

There’s something magnetic about the Hunter Valley. Just a short drive from Newcastle, this world-renowned wine region is right at our doorstep. Blending rolling vineyards, award-winning cellar doors, boutique shopping, and indulgent food experience – all against the backdrop of peaceful country charm. 

Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or a curious first-time, this curated 48-hour itinerary will help you uncover some of the best of the Hunter Valley in just two days. 

DAY 1 

3pm – Check in at Spicers Guesthouse

Accommodation options are aplenty in the Hunter Valley. With choices available for all budgets, it’s easy to find one suitable for you. 

For a short stint, whether it’s a special occasion trip or for a little getaway, one of the best picks is none other than Spicers Guesthouse in Pokolbin – your home base for the next two nights. 

Nestled in the heart of Pokolbin, this luxury retreat offers understated elegance, a tranquil atmosphere, and unbeatable vineyard views. 

With spacious suites, plush bedding, inviting pool and spa, on-site restaurant & bar, and abundant grounds to explore – it’s the perfect launchpad for your wine country getaway.

4pm – Afternoon tasting at First Creek Wines 

Once you’ve dropped your bags off and you’re settled in, ease into your first afternoon with a visit to First Creek Wines, just a short drive from Spicers. 

First Creek offers an intimate and educational tasting experience – or if you just want to move at your own pace, order yourself a glass, pull up a stool on the deck, and take in the beautiful crisp countryside. 

6.30pm – Dinner at éRemo Restaurant

Return to Spicers for dinner at their in-house restaurant, éRemo, for a contemporary Italian menu with a Hunter twist. We’d suggest ordering the Avido (Chef’s selection) menu to sample the very best of what’s available before selecting a bottle from their extensive wine list which showcases both local gems and international picks. 

The ambiance is refined yet relaxed – the ideal end to your first day. 

DAY 2 

8.30am – Breakfast at Cafe Enzo

The next morning, head just down the road to Pepper’s Creek Village where you can pull up a chair in the sunshine at Cafe Enzo for breakfast. With its rustic sandstone walls and leafy courtyard, this local favourite serves up hearty, seasonal fare. 

Fuel up with a barista-made coffee and the Enzo big breakfast: a generous plate of eggs, bacon, mushrooms, and roasted tomato served on sourdough.

10am – Explore Peppers Creek Village

After breakfast, spend your morning exploring the boutiques and cellar doors within Peppers Creek Village 

Comyns & Co
This modern cellar door offers fun and approachable wines in a stylish setting. 

Pukara Estate
Sample their range of award-winning olive oils, vinegars, and condiments – perfect to take home for your next grazing board.

Australian Alpaca Barn 
Browse through luxurious, warm, and ultra-soft scarves, throws, and clothing made from ethically sourced alpaca wool.

FETCH
A curated gift and lifestyle store packed with local treasures, homewares, and beautiful finds.

Charteris Wines
In 2021, the Hunter Valley welcomed the new cellar door by critically acclaimed winemaker PJ Charteris who brought his Trans-Tasman ventures to Peppers Creek Village for visitors to experience. 

Wild Ren Wines
Rubbing shoulders with Charteris is the ever-so-lovely boutique cellar door of Wild Ren Wines. Featuring a striking wine-bar styled space, the cellar door seamlessly merges the classic lines of old with bold interiors. 

12pm – Aqua Golf at Hunter Valley Gardens

Break up your wine tasting day with a little light-hearted fun at Aqua Golf. Test your skills, aim for the floating targets, and maybe even win a prize – or just enjoy the sunshine and relaxed vibes. 

1pm – Lunch at Ben Ean Patisserie

Keep things easy with a light lunch at Ben Ean Patisserie, where you’ll find fresh sandwiches, pastries, and coffee. If time permits, duck into the Ben Ean cellar door for a splash of Penfolds Grange – a rare chance to taste one of Australia’s most iconic wines. 

1.30pm – Tasting at Gundog Estate

Your next stop is just a short 200m walk to Gundog Estate – a small-batch winery that consistently impresses. 

2.30pm – Usher Tinkler Wines

Located just next door, Usher Tinkler is housed in a beautifully restored church and offers a moody, atmospheric tasting experience alongside a divine selection of deli boards. 

3.30pm – Puff & Pour at Pokolbin Estate

Wrap up your wine adventures with a unique tasting with the Puff & Pour experience at Pokolbin Estate Vineyard. Enjoy a tasting flight matched with handmade pastries or puffs – a playful twist that adds a sweet finale to your day of indulgence. 

5pm – Unwind with a soak at Spicers

Head back to Spicers Guesthouse to relax before dinner. Whether you opt for a dip in the pool, a quiet moment in the spa, or just a nap with vineyard views, this is your time to slow down and unwind.

6.30pm – Dinner at Harkham 

Dinner tonight takes you to Harkham Wines, a winery and restaurant known for its casual, warm, and personality-filled atmosphere.

9pm – Nightcap at éRemo

Wind down your evening with a nightcap back at Spicers. Sit by the fireplace inside, or head outside by the firepit, wrapped in a blanket, and toast to a day well spent.

DAY 3 

8am – Breakfast at Spicers Guesthouse

If you’ve opted to include breakfast in your stay, enjoy a final breakfast on-site before checking out. Their seasonal breakfast is packed with local ingredients with your standard Australian breakfast classics. 

9.30am – Coffee and antiques at Cafe Brocante

Before hitting the road and making your way home, make one last stop at Cafe Brocante, a quirky cafe-meets-antiques store. Browse vintage finds over a coffee and perhaps pick up a souvenir to remember your trip.

With bags full of wine and hearts full of good memories, it’s time to make your way home.