Pokolbin
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Pokolbin is something of a cross between a village and a district: it's a collection of vineyards and very small villages (Lovedale, Mount View and Rothbury), it doesn't have a single center that could be thought of as a township.
See
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phone: +61 2 4998-4000address: 2090 Broke RdThese magnificent gardens are of a horticultural standard you won't see elsewhere in Australia.
Do
- Hot-air ballooning. Balloon Aloft 1 800 028 568, Hunter Valley Hot-Air Ballooning (1800 818 191).
Jazz in the VinesA popular event held in October, hosted by Tyrrell's Winery.
A Day on the GreenA concert hosted each year by Bimbadgen Estate.
Buy
Wine is the most obvious item to buy here, although the estates and farms also offer cheese and olives.
Wine
- Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard, DeBeyers Rd, +61 2 4998 7411. M-F, 9.30am-5pm. Widely regarded as the first vineyard in the Pokolbin district.
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phone: +61 2 4998 7585address: 790 McDonalds Rd
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address: 401-427 McDonalds Rd
- Hermitage Road Cellars at Hunter Resort +61 2 4998 7777. Daily tours at 9am, 11am & 2pm (booking required).
- McGuigan Cellars McDonalds Rd, +61 2 4998 7402. The McGuigan's complex houses McGuigan Fine Wines, the Hunter Valley Cheese Company and the Chocolate and Fudge Shop.
- Lindemans Ben Ean McDonalds Rd, +61 2 4998 7684. Open for tastings M-F 10am - 5pm, closed Christmas Day, Good Friday and New Years Day.
- McWilliams Mount Pleasant Estate, Marrowbone Rd, +61 2 4998 7505. Established in 1921, McWilliams is the largest Australian family owned wine company in the country. Daily 10am-4.30pm. Guided tours $2.20/person.
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phone: +61 2 4998 7088address: Broke RdOften has value for money wines at the cheaper end of the price range.
- Pepper Tree Wines Halls Road, +61 2 4998 7539. The tasting room is surrounded by beautiful grounds and gardens. A good place to follow up wine tasting with a picnic. Open M-F 9am - 5pm, Sa & Su 9.30am - 5pm.
- Rothbury Estate Broke Road, +61 2 4998 7363. Open 7 days 9.30am - 4.30 pm.
- Tower Estate Wines Cnr Halls and Broke Rd, +61 2 4998 7989. Open 7 days 10am - 5 pm.
- Tyrell's Vineyards Broke Road, +61 2 4993 7000. One of the region's oldest vineyards. Open M-Sa. Winery tours are held at 1.30pm.
Eat
Be aware that many restaurants pay to be listed in tourist guidebooks and are exhorbitantly priced. It may be better to ask a local for recommendations. Rock Restaurant and Bistro Molines at Tallavera Estate are the only restaurants in Pokolbin to be awarded a chef's hat and both have a very good reputation. Other excellent restaurants are Shakey Tables, Esca at Bimbadgen Estate (especially for the wood-fired duck, which is the restaurant's speciality) and Cracked Pepper at de Iulius Estate.
Budget
Mid-range
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phone: +61 2 4998 7288address: Tuscany Wine Estate, cnr Hermitage Rd & Mistletoe Lane
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Amanda's On the Edge Restaurant
phone: +61 2 498 7900address: McDonald's RdA very popular restaurant with Australian menu. It seems to be the only restaurant in this part of the Hunter Valley that is not a winery too. -
phone: +61 2 4998 7639Italian restaurant. Pizza for takeaway.
Splurge
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
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The Sebel Kirkton Park Hunter Valley
phone: +61 2 4998 7680address: 336 Oakey Creek RoadHunter Valley hotel offering boutique Hunter Valley accommodation in Pokolbin. Located 2hrs from Sydney, this Pokolbin hotel is ideally positioned to experience Hunter Valley wineries and attractions.
Premium
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phone: +61 2 4998 2222address: Vintage Drive, off MacDonalds Road, Rothbury NSW 2320Contemporary one and two-bedroom apartments with gas fireplaces, doonas and fully self-contained. Apartments cost approx $230 - $390 per night.
Go next
- Visit the historic village of Wollombi.