The Hunter Valley is a beautiful destination to visit (and to live for you locals), but when it’s hot up here, you need some weather appropriate plans! Check out our seven ideas to keep you cool on a hot day in the Hunter Valley.

1. Hit the pool

Let’s start with the obvious. If it’s hot, find a pool to keep you cool.

If it’s a 35+ degree day in the valley, hopefully you're staying somewhere with a pool such as Château Élan, Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, or the Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens.

But if you haven’t got a pool at your accommodation, then you can hit up the local public facilities. There are a few public outdoor pools close to Pokolbin.

Cessnock Public Pool is the closest, a convenient 11 minutes out of central Pokolbin. It is an older, basic facility but it has cold, cold water, and that’s what you’re after right? Aside from the 50m pool with ramp access, there is also a toddler pool with some older-style water play features and a smaller baby pool, both with shaded areas.

If you have a little more time to spare, the Maitland Aquatic Centre is worth the drive. Approximately 35 minutes from central Pokolbin, it has more modern and larger facilities including an indoor pool option and a mini water park feature for the kids. The water park is usually open on weekends and school holidays.

Remember, on a hot day facilities might be in demand, so contact the pool to ensure you’re across the latest info such as pool hours, kiosk availability, capacity limitations, swim session timings, and availability of other special facilities.

2. Do some shopping

If you've visited Maitland for a swim, then you’re not far from the air conditioning at Stockland Green Hills. The locals are all across this one but if you’re from out of town, you’ll be pleased to know this shopping centre underwent significant renovations and extensions a few years ago and is now home to over 200 shops, eateries, and services. And did I mention it has aircon?!

There are also some shopping options closer to Pokolbin such as the Shopping Village at Hunter Valley Gardens. This one is host to individual shops and although you will have to brave the heat walking in between them, you can seek refuge in the stores which are, for the most part, air conditioned. Stores include homewares, clothing, speciality alcohol and even alpaca wares from a local farming business.

3. Chill out in a day spa

What better reason to kick back, relax, and treat yourself at a day spa than when it’s hot outside.

The majority of the day spas in the Hunter Valley are climate controlled to ensure a comfortable visit all year round – and that includes in the middle of a stinking hot Australian summer.

Check out some of our favs such as Elysia Wellness Retreat Day Spa, Ubika Spa at Rydges Resort and The Spa at Château Élan, where you can access the hot and (more importantly) cold mineral jacuzzis as part of your treatment.

4. Get yourself an icy treat

Cool down on a hot day in the Hunter Valley with a delicious ice cream or gelato.

If a gelato is your choice for the day, you can head to the Hunter Valley Gelato Company in the Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop in Roche Estate, Pokolbin, the Hunter Valley Chocolate Shop Showroom, or Qirkz in the Hunter.

If you are a milkshake kind of person, then jump in the car and drive 12 minutes (from central Pokolbin) over to Burger Fiend, Cessnock. These guys have a pretty good range of shakes including flavours such as salted caramel, Nutella, Milo, and peanut butter.

5. Do an indoor wine tasting

Although we love the outdoors of the Hunter Valley, when it’s a stifling hot day, the indoors is where it is at.

Many of the cellar doors do have indoor options (with air conditioning) including Brokenwood Wines, Audrey Wilkinson, Usher Tinkler Wines, Glandore Estate, 1813, Wild Ren Wines, and Talits Estate.

6. Head to a bar

Sitting in a cool bar and sipping on a cold wine, beer, or cocktail is definitely a great way to escape the heat.

Harrigans Hunter Valley has air-conditioned indoor bar, gaming, and dining areas. Capacity limits apply for the general bar area, and it’s first come first served. You can however book a meal if you want to ensure you secure a seat.

Try Goldfish in Roche Estate for great cocktails, small share plates, and pizza, or make your way to The Valley Brewhouse for site-brewed beers, pub-style food, and live music.

7. Settle in for a long lunch

It’s pretty easy to excuse yourself for being indoors for hours on a hot day when it’s to enjoy a long lunch in the comfort of a nice, cool restaurant.

There are endless options for lunching in the Hunter Valley, especially on weekends, including Amanda’s on The Edge, Esca Bimbadgen, EXP., Muse Kitchen, Baumé, Margan Restaurant, and The Mill Restaurant.