Attractions in the Hunter Valley
Whether you're staying a day or a week, there's no shortage of things to do in and around the Wollombi Valley, gateway to Hunter Valley Wine Country.
Exploring the Wollombi Wine Trail
The vineyards and wineries of the Valley are small, boutique operations run by owner operators. The grapes are picked by hand. Wines are largely hand made in small quantities. The results are rare award and trophy-winning wines of exceptional quality.
Enjoy a tasting of a range of Wollombi Valley varieties, including Chambourcin, Semillon, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Muscat. Take the time to observe the winemaking process at work – contact the wineries to arrange a personalized tour or to take part in the annual “Vintage” in Autumn when the grapes are harvested. Each Spring the Wollombi Wine Trail vineyards play host to Sculpture in the Vineyards, when the rows of grapes provide the perfect backdrop for sculptures of all forms.
You will be made very welcome at the cellar doors of our Wollombi Valley vineyards with a friendly smile and glass of fine wine.
Local Events
If you're after something different, catch a Cattle Auction on the second Saturday of each month, or stroll through the annual Sculpture in the Vineyards, which takes place from October to January each year. Enjoy an Art Exhibition at the Wollombi Cultural Centre, a performance by the Valley Artists, or visit the Wollombi Markets, held on the Monday of the long weekends.
Nature Lovers
Surrounded by the Yengo National Park and Watagans, the Wollombi Valley is the perfect location for bird-watching, bushwalking or observing local fauna. Even if you don't take advantage of the many bushwalks, the valleys around the local roads attract wallabies in the evenings, and water birds congregate around the many dams and water holes.
Bushwalking
The Wollombi Valley is a great base for short bushwalks or long treks in the Hunter Valley. Bordered by Yengo National Park and the Watagan State Forest/National Park, a range of walks is available.
Local History
Wollombi at the Great North Road junction was established as the administrative centre of the district in the 1830s. Many well-preserved buildings remain in the Wollombi village and surrounding area, as well as remnants of the Great North Road. Take the Historic Wollombi walk or follow the Convict Trail to experience some of Wollombi's convict history.
Aboriginal History
The name "Wollombi" is derived from the Aboriginal meaning "meeting place" or "meeting of the waters'", and prior to European settlement Wollombi held great significance for local Aboriginal tribes who used the area as a ceremonial meeting place. In particular, Mt Yengo was a major focus of Aboriginal culture, being directly connected to the Dreamtime story of the creation of the earth.
The Convict Trail
The Great North Road is a 240 km convict built masterpiece constructed between 1826 an 1836 to provide an overland route from Sydney to Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. It was - and remains - an extraordinary feat of engineering as it traverses sandstone gorges, razorback ridges and towering passes.
If you're exhausted already from what's on offer, you can always relax in front of a log fire in winter or enjoy a glass of local wine on a cool summer evening!