So, you’ve decided to visit the Hunter.  Excellent choice.  If you’re a first-timer, read on for some helpful instructions on how to get here.

CAR

From Sydney / South Coast
There’s a few ways to get to the Hunter from Sydney and the Southern New South Wales Coastal areas.  Starting from the M1 Pacific Highway, there are two main routes to the Valley.

Via Tourist Drive 33 – The option to take if you’ve got plenty of time, this scenic drive takes you along the historic convict trail through to the heritage towns of Laguna and Wollombi.  Heading north towards Newcastle from Wahroonga take the M1 (Pacific Motorway) for 40kms, exiting at Peats Ridge Road (Tourist Drive 33/Calga/Peats Ridge).  Follow Tourist Drive 33 to Wollombi, Mount View and lower Pokolbin (via Wollombi Road).

Via Freeman’s Drive Exit – From the M1 (Pacific Motorway) Wahroonga, drive 100km then take the Freemans Dr/B82 exit towards Kurri Kurri/Cessnock. Follow the B82 for 33km to Vincent Street, Cessnock.  This is the main street of Cessnock.  Turn left at the end of Vincent Street at the lights onto Wollombi Road and right at the lights onto Allandale Road.  Continue for 7.5kms along Wine Country Drive to Lovedale and Pokolbin.

From Newcastle
The quickest way to Wine Country from Newcastle is via Newcastle Link Road.  Follow Newcastle Link Road/A15 to the M1 (Hunter Expressway) Cameron Park. Follow the Expressway exiting at Lovedale Road (24km), Wine Country Drive (36km) or Hermitage Road (48km).

From North Coast
Head south along the A1 (Pacific Highway).  At Tomago, follow the A1 over the bridge, turning right at the lights onto the A1 (Maitland Road/New England Hwy).  Continue following the A1 taking the John Renshaw Drive exit.  Continue on John Renshaw Drive for 11km taking the 3rd exit at the roundabout onto the M15 (Hunter Expressway).  Follow the Expressway exiting at Lovedale Road (24km), Wine Country Drive (36km) or Hermitage Road (48km).

PLANE

The majority of city and quite a few regional airports now fly direct to and from Newcastle.  Check the timetable with your preferred airline provider. Once you’ve landed in Newcastle, there’s a number of car rental services at your disposal.   Follow this route if you plan on hiring a car and driving to the Valley. 

Hire car from Newcastle Airport
Exit the Newcastle Airport heading south-east (via Williamtown Drive) and turn right onto Nelson Bay Road/B63.  At the roundabout, take the Cabbage Tree Road exit and continue onto Tomago Road.  After the end of Tomago Road, turn left at the lights onto A1 (Pacific Highway).  Follow the A1 over the bridge, turning right at the lights onto the A1 (Maitland Road/New England Hwy).  Continue following the A1 taking the John Renshaw Drive exit.  Continue on John Renshaw Drive for 11km taking the 3rd exit at the roundabout onto the M15 (Hunter Expressway).  Follow the Expressway exiting at Lovedale Road (24km), Wine Country Drive (36km) or Hermitage Road (48km).

Taxi from Newcastle Airport
A taxi from Newcastle Airport to Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley is about 50 minutes drive.

TRAIN/BUS

From Sydney City (Cityrail)
The Cityrail service stops at Morisset and Maitland.  A connecting bus to Cessnock can be organised from there.  Make sure you have your Opal card.

From Regional NSW (Countrylink)
The Countrylink express service departing from Sydney Central station takes passengers to Singleton station.  There are no connecting buses to Cessnock or the Valley from Singleton however.  You’ll need to grab a Taxi which takes approximately 20 minutes.