Your Guide to a Spring Weekend in the Hunter Valley

The Hunter Valley is that perfect spot to chill out with some friends, have a romantic weekend away with your special someone (alternatively, your mum) or go and have a staring competition with a cow. Most Sydneysiders have lost count of the number of times they’ve headed north, like some kind of stocking-up-the-cellar and stuffing-their-faces-full-of-cheese migration, but for Melburnians it remains a largely undiscovered playground for big kids.

Here's our take on the perfect Spring weekend away in the Hunter.

Hit the Wineries

Take a leisurely drive up north and don’t waste any time hitting up the wineries. Getting a few photos with the wildlife and vines along the way is a must. Make sure you stop by the tourism centre to pick up an all-important map of the wineries. You'll be surprised by how many (and spread out they all are). More so without the map (and you'll keep on seeing the same fence again and again).

If you're a chardonnay lover, there's no escaping Scarborough. Seriously. They know what they're doing. You'll find it hard to leave without a case. Just remember that boot space is at a premium, and you may have to con a friend into scooching their stuff over just a little bit. The cellar-door-only White Label Chardonnay (the Yellow is also good stuff) would be easy to write an essay on, but also worth your quaffing is the dessert wine and pinot noir.

Tyrells, just past the Hunter Valley Gardens, is worth stopping by, not only because of the cute little rustic shack (which the good man used to live in — not quite as comfortable as where you're hopefully spending the night), but also because of the vino. And for those who get splitting headaches the day after a long drinking session, you need to check out Tamburlaine. Yup, it's the organic stuff. This means: no headaches (or not as bad) because there's none of the naughty stuff in it. The Christmas pudding sticky is a must for any sweet-tooths out there (and makes fab Christmas pressies, too).

For the sparkling lover, Peterson House will be your next destination. They have the oh-so-easy-to-drink Blush bubbles (perfect for when the girls get together), or ones with a bit more oomph like the Museum.

From bubbles to balloons

If you can still stand after these tastings and the bubbles haven't gotten to your head, it's time for a hot air balloon! This isn’t just for the kiddies, it's the most gentle and relaxing thrill you can get that's legal. Sunset is the perfect time for it (and remember to take some of the wine you just bought and some smelly cheeses and lavosh from the Smelly Cheese shop — they do good cheese boards here too.) One place that does ballooning is Balloon Aloft, but there's plenty of options. Apart from the noise when the gas gets released, it's like you’re floating on a marshmallow. Can't get much more romantic than that (unless the marshmallow is being toasted on a fire).

If you've taken it easy on the wine tastings, another afternoon plan could be a horse ride with the kangaroos. You'll score a large dose of fresh air and most are pretty gentle rides (unless you get a particularly spirited horse who doesn't like following trails much. There's always one).

Lie Down in the Valley

By this point, your eyes will most likely be ready to shut (either from the wine, or the activities), so it's worth hitting the bed, pronto. You could try out a suite at the Chateau Elan at The Vintage, if spas and golf are your thing. Or for views over the Brokenback mountain range, you could try Talga Estate — a good option for a big bunch of friends. The barbecue on the verandah is perfect for your own cook-up.

If you're not quite sure what you're after, Hunter Valley Resort is worth checking out. It's got a wine school, horse and carriage tours, a wine theatre, vineyard tours and a whole lot more. We figure that if you're surrounded by wine, like you are at the Hunter, you might as well know a thing or two about it. You’ll find out the correct way to swirl the wine in your glass, really give it a good looking at, create air while sipping it and feeling it in your mouth. Or you could just drink it.

The Quest Singleton is near the local shopping area, and if you're already feeling a bit wine and cheesed out — you can hit the gym. Yep, there are a lot of options.

Sunny Side Up

Hopefully hangover free, the next morning you’ll be needing a big breakfast. There are options in all of the hotels, or you could try out Cafe Enzo for a meal next to a fountain, and then look at the antiques next door. They usually have awesome vintage cheese knives — as well as a whole lot of random goodness, and very expensive antique engagement rings. Hint hint.

Botanica and Esca are fancier options for a brunch or lunch or any time really. At Esca you can arrive by helicopter if that's the way you roll. Just remember to pack oversized sunnies and a designer bag to make this really work. Make sure you try the white or red wine tasting plate, which comes with a trio of smaller meals. Or you could make a picnic and find a scenic spot to park your bottom for the day.

Last-minute leisure

Before you head home, remember to stock up on wine (if you've finished it all off by now), cheese, chocolates and some more fresh air. And if you’ve got time, go for a spa treatment. The Hunter is all about spoiling yourself, inside and out. Even if you spend Monday rubbing your cheese belly or feeling slightly pickled. Just make sure you pack a friend who is a good ol' responsible driver, and you'll be just fine.

Regional NSW is on sale now at Lastminute.com.au. You can check out The Hunter options on sale here.