IF you’re looking for an easy ‘no need to think’ weekend getaway with fine wines and a tranquil vibe, it’s hard to beat the Hunter Valley’s picturesque Pokolbin.
LEISURE INN, POKOLBIN HILL
Just over 2 hours from Sydney, the Leisure Inn, Pokolbin Hill, is the perfect escape that won’t break the budget. Conveniently located at 485 Macdonalds Rd, this expansive property boasts its own Gourmet Trail Experience all within walking distance. Upon arrival, park the car and discover the nearby expansive Hunter Valley Gardens, Roche Estate and the delicious Hunter Valley Cheese Factory. Stroll over to the vineyards or rent an e-bike if you’d prefer. Either way, you won’t be disappointed!
The Leisure Inn, Pokolbin Hill villas provide all that you need for a comfortable stay. The hotel recently installed EV chargers on site for any guests travelling by car and whether you require a studio, one or two bedroom apartment, you’ll be fully equipped with in-room amenities and can just sit back and relax with views of the river and the kangaroos at dusk, enjoying a glass of one of your local purchases.
GREAT ACCOMMODATION FOR KIDS
Parents should take advantage of the units with adjoining rooms and there’s attractive rates/packages from Sunday through to the mid-week, which are a steal during the popular peak Spring period. Additionally, if you want to stay in after being out and about all afternoon, apartments have a fully equipped kitchenette to rustle up an easy meal, and BBQ facilities are next to the pool. It was a fun surprise to find an impressive CD collection in the reception for guests to borrow and bathroom products to enjoy in your in-room spa. My kids are all a little older now, but I thought the Kids Explorer Pack with a T-pee and other goodies was a fun touch.
HUNTER VALLEY CHEESE FACTORY
From the moment we entered, we felt immersed in the cheese-making process. The building is contemporary with lots of light providing peaks of the magic that takes places behind the counter. It’s best to pre-book a cheese platter tasting prior to your visit to avoid missing out. Fresh, friendly and delicious. The staff are warm and welcoming with an expansive knowledge of the process of making cheese. All cheeses are made on site. Our personal favourite was Riley’s Fromage, aka ‘Angels Cheese’, the house marinade blend of local herbs and oils. I bought some to take home to make pizza/salads, but it didn’t last long. The factory’s clever cheesemaker, Dave, has just created ‘Watagan’s Hot Washed Tomme’, semi-firm and aged four months with a nutty rustic flavour akin to cheeses made in the French Alps and Switzerland. The Hunter Valley Cheese Factory is licensed (November 2024), which facilitates patrons to perfectly match their platter with tasty local wines. This venue is a must on your Hunter itinerary.
BLANCHIE’S, COFFEE AND THE HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS
Our Gourmet Trail continued Sunday morning with a full buffet breakfast at the inn’s Blanchie’s on Leisure Restaurant. We were lucky enough to meet the friendly Chef ‘Blanchie’, who ensured our tummies were full and well-prepared for a day of adventure in Pokolbin. Our next stop was the Hunter Valley Gardens, adjacent to a collection of charming village shops, including cafes, clothing and local art. We grabbed a coffee and set off to explore the walking paths of the beautiful individually themed gardens, containing both native and exotic plants.
FUN SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
There are scavenger hunts and amusement rides for the kids plus an upcoming Christmas Lights Spectacular November 1st through to January the 26th 2025. Take note that over 4 million lights will manifest a glowing wonderland throughout this summer. On our next visit, I’d also like to check out the nearby Aqua Golf, a fun deviation from the traditional putt putt, but on this occasion, we couldn’t be late for our cellar door bookings.
CELLAR DOOR
The cellar door experience has evolved extensively over the last 30 years. There is something for everyone today, whether it’s a classic Hunter Semillion, a soothing red blend or a healthier zero alcohol option. The McGuigan Wines story stretches over four generations of winemaking built on tradition. Walk-in visits are welcomed but it would be best to experience their wines in one of their ‘curated tasting experiences’ where their learned team will educate you on the rich history of viniculture in the Hunter and this iconic winery. The Mastercraft Cabernet Merlot pairs beautifully with antipasto. You also mustn’t miss trying the limited release 2016 ‘The Philosophy’, which is a remarkable testimony to the elegance of this winery.
TEMPUS TWO
Just next door is the contemporary Tempus Two. This trend setting winery has broken free from tradition and offers a range of unique contemporary experiences, including their VIP Copper bar. Our charming host, Caitlin, taught us the art of how to pair wine with chocolate varietals and informed us of their new Copper Gin Series, gin made from wine spirits. The Shiraz Gin has earned extensive global awards from Singapore to San Francisco and is definitely worth trying! The non-conformist approach of Tempus Two is as refreshing as their new Tempus One Spritzers, a revitalising break from a big Shiraz on a sunny afternoon. Take your pick from passionfruit, berry or watermelon.
THE WINE HOUSE
It would be remiss not to visit The Wine House, Hunter Valley, where you can find a collection of independent family-owned winemakers all under the one roof. They offer a range of wonderful ‘wine experiences’ for all types of palettes and a unique first in Australia self-serve wine machine, akin to the popular model in Queenstown, where patrons can curate their own tasting. The Wine House benefits from sharing next door’s Roche Estate acoustics. On November the 30th, Cold Chisel’s ‘Big Five-O’ Concert will perform and if you missed out on tickets, the Wine Bar is the perfect consolation to hear the old Oz rock classics such as ‘Khe Sanh’ while enjoying a pre-paid hamper or treats from the onsite food truck. Bring it on.
For bookings visit: www.leisureinnpokolbinhill.com.au
By Group Travel Editor, Emma Wilson.
