Where to stay in The Hunter depends on what you want from the trip. The region runs from about 162 km to 310 km north of Sydney, and it takes in vineyards, river towns, mountain country and the city of Newcastle on the coast.
This page looks at the settings you can base yourself in and the kinds of accommodation the area offers. For the full list of places, see our The Hunter accommodation page.
Getting your bearings
The Hunter is also called the Hunter Valley, the Hunter Region or the Newcastle Region. It sits in central-eastern New South Wales and is best known for its wineries and its coal industry. It is a big area, so the place you choose to sleep shapes your days more than you might expect.
It is an easy weekend trip. The drive from Sydney is about two hours, and trains leave Sydney and stop at Maitland and Morisset. Newcastle Airport is about 50 minutes from the wine country and has flights from Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
If you want a wider picture before choosing, our The Hunter travel guide covers the region as a whole.
Types of accommodation in The Hunter
Accommodation here suits a range of budgets. The choices include:
- campsites and caravan parks
- vineyard farmhouses
- hostels
- retreats
- luxury resorts next to championship golf courses
- hotels and motels
That spread is a real strength. You can keep costs low with a campsite or hostel, or go for a retreat or resort if the trip is a celebration. We would not push anyone toward the dearest option; the valley rewards a day out far more than a fancy room.
Staying among the vineyards
The wine country is the main draw. Under Australia's wine appellation system the Hunter Valley zone covers the whole catchment of the Hunter River and its tributaries. The Hunter is one of the first wine regions planted in Australia, in the early 19th century, and it still accounts for around 3% of the country's wine production.
Staying in the vineyards puts you close to the cellar doors and the farmland around them. Cessnock is one of the region's four cities, and the Brokenback Range rises behind the vines and gives the wine country its backdrop.
Vineyard farmhouses and resorts
Farmhouse stays suit couples and small groups who want a quiet base among the vines. Resorts next to golf courses suit travellers who want to combine a round of golf with tastings. If you plan a special trip, our The Hunter luxury holidays page is a good next stop.
Planning your days from a vineyard base
A wine-country base makes tours simple. The private full-day wine tour in the Hunter Valley runs 6 to 7 hours from AUD 495 and suits couples and groups of up to four. The Hunter Valley wine and cheese tour starts from the region, runs 8 to 11 hours and costs from AUD 600.
For something different, the bubbly breakfast helicopter tour from Cessnock leaves from Cessnock airfield and costs from AUD 350.
Towns, cities and the coast
Not everyone wants to sleep among the vines. The Hunter has four cities, in order of population Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Maitland and Cessnock. Other major centres are Dungog, Gloucester, Kurri Kurri, Muswellbrook, Raymond Terrace, Scone and Singleton.
Most of the region's 682,465 people live within 25 km of the coast, and 55% live in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. A town or city base gives you shops, services and more choice of places to eat, and it is often the better pick if you are travelling on a budget.
Hotels and motels
Hotels and motels are plentiful across the region. Some motels sit about two hours north of Sydney, which makes them handy for a first night on the road. Look for off-street parking and ground-floor rooms if you need easy access, and check the facilities directly with the property.
Newcastle and the coast
Newcastle sits where the Hunter River meets the Pacific Ocean. A coastal base suits travellers who want beaches as well as wine, and from there the vineyards are a day trip away. The climate is humid subtropical with a maritime influence from the Pacific.
Families may like the coast and towns for their space and variety; our The Hunter holidays with kids page has more.
Caravan parks and campsites
Campsites and caravan parks are part of the Hunter's accommodation mix, and they are the cheapest way to stay. They suit self-drivers who want to move between the wine country, the river towns and the highlands to the north and south.
Choose a park near the area you most want to explore, since distances across the region are large. For current park listings and details, check the Visit NSW official state tourism site.
Staying without driving
If you would rather not drive between cellar doors, book a tour. From Sydney, the private full-day Hunter Valley wine tour from Sydney runs 10 to 11 hours from AUD 674.5. The Hop Hunter Brewery Tour takes seven hours across three independent breweries from AUD 225.
| Tour | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Private full-day wine tour | 6 to 7 hours | from AUD 495 |
| Wine and cheese from the Hunter | 8 to 11 hours | from AUD 600 |
| Bubbly breakfast helicopter tour | 2 to 3 hours | from AUD 350 |
| Hop Hunter Brewery Tour | 7 hours | from AUD 225 |
More options are on our The Hunter tours page. You can read more about the region on Wikipedia: Hunter Valley.
Frequently asked questions
How far is The Hunter from Sydney?
The region lies about 162 km to 310 km north of Sydney. The drive to the wine country takes about two hours, and trains from Sydney stop at Maitland and Morisset.
What types of accommodation does The Hunter have?
Campsites, caravan parks, vineyard farmhouses, hostels, retreats, hotels, motels and luxury resorts next to championship golf courses.
Which airport is closest?
Newcastle Airport, about 50 minutes from the wine country, with routes from Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.