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explore
You can’t discover New South Wales without first knowing Sydney. It’s the most populous city and it’s also the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney offers the perfect base to explore its award-winning vineyards.
New South Wales’ wine region is centered in the Hunter Valley - stretching from Wollemi National Park in the South to Barrington Tops National Park up North.
Here, you’re assured that your wine tasting adventure is paired perfectly with gourmet food. Award-winning, top-rated restaurants are liberally sprinkled across New South Wales. You can stock up on delicious gourmet goodies at the farm gate, artisan bakeries, family-owned wineries and the regular farmers’ markets that are now a tourist feature of most major New South Wales towns. Impress your friends with rare vintage wines, organic hand- made cheeses and fresh seafood from some of the cleanest waters in the world or a box of succulent organic figs, juicy peaches or crisp apples.
Let The Tasting Begin
You can choose to do one day forays into New South Wales vineyards. However, you can opt to stay for a short break or long weekend to enjoy a regional cooking class or wine tasting course at vineyards that offer accommodations.
There are a variety of tours that you can opt for. There are the usual coach tours. And there are tours for more intimate groups. These are conducted in a luxury limousine and each tour is customized and private. You can allow them to hand pick the best Hunter Valley wineries, restaurants, cafes, and local producers, or you can suggest your own. For a truly unique way of viewing the wineries, you can also take to the air. Helicopter tours are available, and they offer you a view that’s as inebriating as the wines. They even offer heli-lunch tours.
There’s always the incredibly amazing option of living in wine country. Some are major resorts, others intimate guesthouses. Some are modern but built in Australian colonial style and many are converted from old mansions and cottages. Some are actually on the vineyards and some a short drive away. Either way, prepare yourself for a level of indulgence that’s almost sinful. Many properties are rated four, four and a half and five-star.
If you’ve never been on a wine holiday before, New South Wales’ vineyards are the perfect choice for your first taste. The scenery is as amazing as the wines, and food you’ll encounter. The atmosphere is relaxed and there’s none of that wine snobbery you’d expect.
Do’s:
• Relax, you’re in wine country.
• If you are intending to stay on a vineyard, book early.
• Experiment pairing wine and food. • Bring back your favorite bottles.
• Look out for boutique wineries.
Don’ts:
• Be aware of your country’s Custom’s regulations regarding alcohol.
• If you drive, don’t drink.
• Do not speed, not all roads are paved, or lit at night.
• Never litter.
HOW TO GET THERE
A self-drive holiday is definitely one of the best ways to explore Sydney and its surrounding regions. The beauty of it all is that the regions are all within a short drive from the city so you can enjoy the best of city and nature experiences. The scenic route will be Sydney to Blue Mountains and then Hunter Valley. Total travel time is approximately 6 hours.
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Best of all, you can bottle all your great New South Wales memories, and savor them whenever you’re in the mood.
New
South Wales
Wine Country
stay
1174 The Moorings
1816 Port Pacific Resort 1803 Boambee Bay Resort
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