Two Regional NSW Escapes for When You Need to Switch off Properly
From long lunches in the Hunter Valley to fireside cocktails in the Snowy Mountains, these regional NSW escapes are perfect for slowing the pace right down.
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Not every long weekend needs to involve airport queues or a packed itinerary. Sometimes, all it takes is a couple of hours out of the city, a comfortable place to stay, and a few good recommendations loosely booked around lunch, dinner and whatever the weather decides to do.
Whether you're winery hopping in the Hunter Valley or seeking out a cool-climate escape in the Snowy Mountains, these regional stays from Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites make a convincing case for switching off for a few days and seeing where the weekend leads.
HUNTER VALLEY
Eat
Long lunches are a quintessential part of the Hunter Valley experience. In Maitland, Acacia Dining pairs polished seasonal dining with a relaxed regional atmosphere, while the utterly charming Bistro Molines (pictured below) remains a favourite for French-inspired plates served with sweeping vineyard views. For something more casual between cellar doors, Burgers by HMC delivers generously stacked burgers well worth the pit stop.
Back at the resort, Oak & Vine puts a contemporary Sri Lankan-inspired spin on seasonal local produce, while Cypress Lakes Bistro & Bar keeps things relaxed with a crowd-pleasing all-day menu served in a casual dining room overlooking the adjacent lake and golf course.
Destination NSW
Drink
The Hunter's wine scene rewards a slower pace — especially when there are this many cellar doors worth stopping into. Audrey Wilkinson (pictured below) remains one of the region's most essential stops, pouring semillon and shiraz with panoramic valley views to match, while Vamp by Lisa McGuigan brings a moodier, more contemporary feel to wine tasting with drops from around Australia in a striking neo-gothic-inspired space.
Nearby, Tamburlaine Organic Wines specialises in organic and preservative-free drops — and also boasts one of the region's most picturesque cellar doors — while Gundog Estate pairs small-batch wines with gourmet local produce from the historic Pokolbin Schoolhouse. Not a wine drinker? Hunter Distillery rounds things out with guided tastings of its gin, vodka and schnapps, all made onsite from natural ingredients.
Do
Between meals and wine tastings, there's still plenty of time for exploring. Wander through the ten themed gardens in the expansive Hunter Valley Gardens, discover over 60 large-scale public artworks along the Kurri Kurri Mural Walk or take a stroll through Maitland's historic streets, galleries and heritage architecture.
For something more restorative, book in for a treatment at Elysia Wellness Retreat, or spend the morning tackling nine holes at Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club, where each tee and green boasts panoramic views of nearby vineyards and the surrounding Brokenback mountain range.
Stay
Set among rolling vineyards and manicured fairways in the heart of Pokolbin, Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort makes an ideal base for a few days of exploring wine country. Spacious villas, an expansive pool, onsite dining and access to one of the region's best-known golf courses mean there's every chance you'll end up spending just as much time at the resort as you do working your way around wine country.
SNOWY MOUNTAINS
Eat
Cool-climate weekends call for comforting food and long lunches — something the Snowy Mountains region does particularly well. At Cuisine Restaurant, the menu focuses on seasonal produce and alpine-inspired dining overlooking Lake Crackenback, while Birchwood has become a local favourite for Single O coffee, wholesome brunch plates and relaxed all-day dining in Jindabyne.
Nearby, Holly Go Lightly brings hefty burgers, cold brews and a regular lineup of DJs to its lively beer garden, while Stacks Pizza keeps things casual with New York-style pizzas and craft beer. If classic Italian is more your speed, head to Perrotta's Italian & Bar for fresh pasta, seasonal share plates and cosy date-night energy.
Destination NSW
Drink
A good Snowy Mountains itinerary should always leave room to explore the region's excellent craft drinks scene. Bar Lula brings a polished wine-bar feel to Jindabyne with curated local and international drops alongside sharp cocktails, while Jindabyne Brewing keeps things more relaxed with craft beer, live music and burgers overlooking the lake.
A short drive away, Wildbrumby Distillery remains one of the region's most memorable stops, pairing schnapps tastings and Austrian-inspired fare with sculpture gardens and sweeping alpine scenery.
Do
Whether you're visiting during ski season or not, the Snowy Mountains are best experienced outdoors. Hit the slopes at nearby Perisher Ski Resort or Thredbo in winter, or spend the warmer months exploring Lake Crackenback by foot, bike or canoe. If slowing down is more the goal, there's no shortage of scenic walks weaving through Kosciuszko National Park.
Stay
Surrounded by alpine bushland between Jindabyne and Thredbo, Oaks Lake Crackenback Resort offers a comfortable base for switching into Snowy Mountains mode for a few days. The resort's freestanding apartments and chalets sit alongside walking trails, lake activities, tennis courts, a heated pool and spa, as well as on-site dining, making it equally suited to ski weekends, summer escapes and slower-paced stays whenever you need to switch off.
Ready to switch off? Head to the Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites website to start planning your next NSW regional escape.
Top image: Destination NSW.
