Hunter Valley Region

Set out into the Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine region, where vineyards roll towards the blue peaks of the Brokenback Range and the pace of the day slows among the vines.

Begin at Audrey Wilkinson, one of the valley’s oldest vineyards, where rows of vines stretch towards the mountains and every sip comes with a view. Continue to Brokenwood, where a contemporary cellar door and celebrated wines offer a different perspective on the region. Along the way, taste your way through the Hunter’s signature styles, from bright, citrusy semillon to rich, earthy reds.

Then settle in for a long, relaxed lunch at Iron Gate Estate. Surrounded by vines and framed by a Spanish-inspired setting, take your time over a menu celebrating local produce, paired with more of the region’s wines.

With rolling vineyards, good food and exceptional wines at every turn, spend the day discovering the Hunter Valley at its most inviting.

Recommended Fitness level: Low – Guests are required to climb coach stairs with walking and standing for short periods.

Climb aboard a 4WD and venture onto the vast sands of Stockton Beach, where towering dunes stretch between the Pacific Ocean and the bush. Rising up to 30 metres high, these shifting dunes create a landscape that is constantly changing, shaped by the wind and the sea.

As you travel deeper into the dunes, your guide brings the landscape to life, sharing stories of the people and places that have shaped this remarkable stretch of coast. Discover Tin City, a collection of weathered shacks built from salvaged materials during the Great Depression, still standing among the dunes today.

Then it’s time to experience the dunes for yourself. Take a board to the top of a towering sand slope and launch into a thrilling ride down the face, or simply take in the view and watch the action from above.

After a morning exploring the coast, settle in for lunch at Atmos in Shoal Bay. With its whitewashed interiors and relaxed Mediterranean feel, it’s the perfect place to unwind over shared plates and a refreshing drink.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – The 4WD tour may involve bumpy and steep terrain and may not be suitable for guests with injuries or mobility restrictions. Wheelchairs and walkers cannot be accommodated on this experience.

Step aboard a 78-foot catamaran at Nelson Bay Marina and cruise into the sheltered waters of Port Stephens, where volcanic headlands frame a vast blue expanse and secluded beaches reveal themselves along the shoreline.

Settle onto the deck and watch the coastline unfold as you glide across the bay. Keep your eyes on the water for one of Port Stephens’ most memorable residents, the bottlenose dolphin. Around 150 dolphins call these waters home year-round, and if you’re lucky, they’ll appear alongside the boat, riding the bow wave just metres away.

Your skipper shares stories of the resident pods and the natural world around them, bringing the character of Port Stephens to life as you explore its waterways. Along the way, look out across oyster leases, historic fishing grounds and the point where the sheltered harbour meets the open Tasman Sea.

Back on shore, settle in for a relaxed lunch at Atmos in Shoal Bay. With whitewashed interiors, an open, breezy feel and a menu of generous shared plates, it’s the perfect spot to unwind after a morning on the water.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – Guests are required to climb steep steps to board the vessel and access the top deck. Wheelchairs and walkers cannot be accommodated on this experience.

Begin high above Newcastle Harbour at Fort Scratchley, where historic gun emplacements look out across the coastline and the mouth of the Hunter River. Explore the tunnels beneath the headland as your guide brings to life the night in 1942 when the fort returned fire on a Japanese submarine that had shelled the city.

From the fort, follow the Memorial Walk along Strzelecki Headland, crossing the dramatic steel bridge suspended above the cliffs. Look out across the Pacific on one side and Newcastle’s working harbour on the other, while the silhouettes of soldiers along the balustrade honour local families who served in the First World War.

Continue to Newcastle Museum, where the city’s story unfolds through its industrial past, from coal mining and the BHP steelworks to the earthquake that reshaped Newcastle in 1989. Discover the enduring history and culture of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples, before exploring the museum’s hands-on science exhibits and working steam engine.

Then settle in for lunch at the Roundhouse, where the harbour and breakwater stretch out below you. Take in the view, reflect on the stories of the morning and enjoy a relaxed lunch overlooking the city and sea.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – Guests are required to get on and off the coach multiple times, with periods of walking and standing.

Discover a different side of Newcastle as you explore its elegant civic heart, where grand sandstone buildings and ornate Art Deco architecture reveal the city’s prosperous industrial past.

Begin at Newcastle Art Gallery, recently reopened following a major expansion. Wander through its collection of Australian art, from modernist works by Newcastle-born William Dobell to contemporary pieces and an acclaimed collection of Japanese ceramics. With its expanded galleries, there is more of the collection to discover than ever before.

Continue on foot to Newcastle City Hall, where the impressive clock tower rises above Wheeler Place. Step inside the Concert Hall, opened in 1929, and admire the ornate timber and plasterwork that reflect the ambition of a city at the height of its industrial prosperity.

Next door, discover the Civic Theatre, another 1920s gem with a domed ceiling, intricate plasterwork and touches of gilt. Go behind the scenes to explore the stage and wings, hear stories of the performers who have appeared here and discover what goes on beyond the curtain of one of Newcastle’s most treasured theatres.

Then make your way to the Roundhouse for lunch, where Newcastle’s skyline and working harbour stretch out below you. Settle in, take in the view and enjoy a relaxed meal overlooking the city.

Recommended Fitness Level: High – Guests are required to walk up to 2km, over flat incline pathways.

Discover the Hunter Valley from a new perspective, beginning among the vines before taking to the skies for an unforgettable view of the region.

Start at Brokenwood, one of the Hunter’s most celebrated wineries, where a contemporary cellar door sets the scene for a tasting of the region’s signature wines, including its renowned semillon and shiraz. Take your time discovering the distinctive character of these wines and the landscape that shapes them.

Then it’s time to take to the skies. Climb aboard a helicopter for an exhilarating flight over the Hunter Valley, watching the landscape unfold beneath you. From above, the neat rows of vines, shimmering dams and rugged Brokenback Range reveal the scale and character of the region in a whole new way.

Enjoy a second tasting at Iron Gate Estate before settling in for a long, leisurely lunch on the terrace. With its Spanish-inspired setting and sweeping views across the valley, it’s a beautiful place to pause and savour the afternoon.

After experiencing the Hunter from the ground and the air, return to the valley with a new appreciation for the landscape behind every glass.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – Guests are required to board and disembark aircraft unassisted. Weight restrictions apply – a maximum weight of any individual cannot exceed 130 kg. We are unable to accommodate passengers who require the use of wheelchairs or walkers on this experience.

Created exclusively for Australis and Aurora Suite guests, this intimate Hunter Valley experience combines exceptional wine and food with the thrill of seeing the region from above.

Travel in comfort with fellow suite guests to Poole’s Rock Winery, where a private tasting introduces you to the distinctive wines of this celebrated Hunter Valley estate. Surrounded by vines and rolling countryside, discover the character of the region through its wines as your hosts share stories of the winery and its winemaking.

Then take to the skies by helicopter, flying over the Hunter Valley to Margan Wines. On arrival, settle in for a relaxed farm-to-table lunch, with seasonal produce drawn from the estate’s own gardens and local suppliers. Savour the flavours of the region while enjoying the peaceful surrounds, before going behind the scenes on a private tour to discover Margan’s approach to sustainable winemaking.

Your Hunter Valley experience culminates with another scenic helicopter flight, this time towards Newcastle. Watch the vineyards, farmland and rugged coastline unfold beneath you before touching down and rejoining the Great Southern.

From the first tasting to the final flight, experience the Hunter Valley from an altogether different perspective.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – Guests are required to board and disembark aircraft unassisted. Weight restrictions apply – a maximum weight of any individual cannot exceed 130 kg. We are unable to accommodate passengers who require the use of wheelchairs or walkers on this experience.

*Please note, this experience is exclusively available to guests travelling in the Aurora or Australis Suites.