Your guide to biking around wine country
Cycling, biking, riding, cruising. Whatever you call it, there’s nothing quite like hiring a bicycle to explore the Hunter Valley and inject a bit of fun into your wine country adventure.
Whether you’re keen to get the blood (and endorphins) pumping or you're just after a new way to taste and tour, hiring a bike is easy and affordable to wine and dine your way around the Hunter Valley.
There are a few things to consider before you get pedalling though. Read on for our top tips on where to hire a bike and the best places to ride in the Hunter Valley.
Bike hire options
To pedal or not to pedal? Seriously, that’s the choice here!
If you plan on visiting a few cellar doors or traversing longer distances, an electric bike could be your best bet.
Electric bikes are a great option as they give you the freedom to pedal or to kick back on hilly terrain – great for when you’re feeling a bit tired at the end of a long day’s tasting.
Electric bikes can take a bit of getting used to if you haven't tried them before, but they can certainly get you from A to B a lot quicker.
If you prefer old school pedal power, then it’s a mountain bike or cruiser for you. Check out Grapemobile Electric Bike Hire and Bicycle Hire on Palmer’s Lane in Pokolbin and Sutton Estate Electric Bike Hire located on Deasys Road in Pokolbin. Plus, you can pick up an electric bike from Hunter Valley Bike Hire at various venues across the Hunter Valley including Spicers Guesthouse, Chateau Elan, and The Convent.
Some of these companies even provide a delivery and pick-up service so you can kick-start your cycling adventure from your accommodation or wherever you please in the local vineyard area. It's best to check in with them to see what your options are.
And don’t stress if you want to make some purchases along the way – many of the bikes have baskets attached!
Cycling tracks
So, you’ve selected a bike. Now it’s time to figure out where in the Hunter you want to explore. Here are some options.
Around Hermitage Cycleway
Running from the beginning of Broke Road in Pokolbin to the New England Highway, the Around Hermitage Cycleway is a cool and safe place to ride in the Valley. The dedicated cycleway runs past many boutique cellar doors, such as Thomas Wines, Glandore Estate Wines, and Piggs Peake Winery – just to name a few.
The stretch is also home to two breweries, Hunter Distillery, and plenty of other lovely spots to explore. There’s no shortage of great places to eat here too including some of our favourites like Restaurant Botanica and Yellow Billy.
Palmers Lane Wine Eco Trail
This 5km riding trail may be less well known than Around Hermitage but it’s no less enchanting. As the name suggests, the Palmers Lane Wine Eco Trail traverses the picturesque Palmers Lane in Pokolbin, visiting five wineries including Calais Estate, Horner Wines, John Wallace Wines, Moorebank Vineyard, and Pokolbin Brothers Wines.
Tour de Lovedale
If you're not making it on the Tour de France anytime soon, then the Tour de Lovedale is the next best thing. Taking in Wilderness Road, Lovedale Road, and Wine Country Drive, this route is a great way to explore the plentiful cellar doors and eateries in Lovedale.
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