Hunter Valley is well known for its world class vineyards and exquisite wines. People come from far and wide, from all around New South Wales and Beyond, for some of the best vineyard tours, local produce, and gourmet meals that this part of the world has to offer. From a leisurely breakfast to wine tastings and five-star meals, Hunter Valley is the place to be. In case you're wondering what a one day itinerary through the stunning landscapes of Hunter Valley looks like, we've got you covered. A one-day Hunter Valley itinerary should include at least the five following destinations:
- Restaurant Cuvee at Peterson House
- Bimbadgen Estate (including Esca Bimbadgen)
- Bistro Molines
- Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard
- The Gates Restaurant at Leogate Estate
What to Do in The Hunter Valley Wine Region - The Ultimate One Day Itinerary
Let's start with a breakfast!
1. Breakfast at Restaurant Cuvee at Peterson House
Located in sandstone buildings at the entrance to the Hunter Valley, Restaurant Cuvee is a breakfast experience that combines regional charm with a little bit of indulgence. With vineyard views and a warm, rustic interior with exposed timber beams, Cuvee is one of the most loved breakfast spots in wine country. Open from 8.30am daily, it’s the perfect place to start your day before you head out to the other wineries.
Cuvee is famous for its Bubbly Breakfast, which pairs a full country-style plate with a glass of Pink Blush, Prosecco or Cuvee sparkling wine. The menu includes lamb and rosemary sausages with mushy peas, roasted mushrooms on sourdough, and savoury French toast with chorizo and hollandaise. There’s also passionfruit panna cotta with house-made granola if you’re after something a bit lighter, along with coffee, premium teas, smoothies, juices, and sparkling wine cocktails. It's the ultimate way to enjoy stunning views while having a tasty breakfast.
Rotor One features a helicopter flight to Peterson House with a wine tasting and a gourmet lunch included, making it perfect for those who want luxury from the very first sip to the very last.
2. Wine Tasting at Bimbadgen Winery
After breakfast, the next stop on your Hunter Valley itinerary is Bimbadgen Estate, one of Hunter Valley’s most beautiful wineries. Bimbadgen features a premium tasting experience with award winning wines and scenery.
Start at the Bimbadgen Cellar Door, where you can choose from a range of guided tastings, including the Grower’s Experience, Sparkling Experience, or the Signature Tasting featuring single vineyard wines that are over 50 years old.
Then, head upstairs to Esca Bimbadgen, the estate’s restaurant. Suspended above the winery Esca and uninterrupted views of the vines. The wine list focuses on Bimbadgen’s own Semillon, Shiraz, and Chardonnay but also features other regional and national wines. The food is designed to match the wines with clean seasonal dishes that let the produce shine.
Whether you’re tasting in the cellar door or pairing a glass with lunch, Bimbadgen has the Hunter Valley down pat – flavour, hospitality and a view you won’t forget. Simply relax as you taste some of the best wines of the region.
Bookings are recommended especially for the Signature Experience and Esca’s weekend seatings. Rotor One also offers a premium helicopter experience to Bimbadgen Estate, complete with a two-way flight, wine tasting, and a spectacular lunch. If you plan on going on wine tasting tours, this is certainly one of the best locations to visit on any Hunter Valley morning.
3. Lunch at Bistro Molines
Lunch at Bistro Molines is a French Provincial feast for the senses, crafted by Robert Molines and head chef Garreth Robbs. Perched on the rolling hills of Tallavera Grove Vineyard in the Hunter Valley region, the view is stunning, but it’s the food that’s the real showstopper.
The menu is seasonal and Provençal inspired. You cam start with warm figs filled with gorgonzola and wrapped in prosciutto or zucchini flowers stuffed with herbed goat cheese and tomato relish. Many ingredients are picked from the kitchen garden just steps from your table, so you know they're as fresh as can be.
For mains the twice-roasted duck with red cabbage and orange glaze or the slow-cooked beef short rib with red wine jus and Café de Paris butter are rich, decadent and delicious. Seafood lovers will love the pan-fried market fish with sauce vierge, beautifully balanced and presented.
Desserts are crème brûlée with fresh berries, housemade chocolate panna cotta, and strawberry parfaits. The wine list is a mix of local and French favourites, perfect for every dish.
It’s a lazy, indulgent lunch where everything is intentional and memorable, plus it makes for an excellent romantic getaway as well.
If you'd like to experience the fine dining of Bistro Molines, but you also don't want to deal with a two hour drive, or longer, you might try a Rotor One Bistro Molines Helicopter Tour, allowing you to see the vibrant colors and many vineyards of the Hunter Valley from a whole new vantage point.
4. An Afternoon at the Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard
No trip to the Hunter Valley is complete without an afternoon at Audrey Wilkinson, one of the region’s most famous and beautiful wineries. Perched on a foothill of the Brokenback Mountain Ranges, this estate has the most stunning 360 degree views in Pokolbin with rolling vineyards, dramatic ridgelines, and colonial architecture that frames the experience perfectly.
Established in 1866, Audrey Wilkinson is steeped in history. You can explore that history with a self-guided museum tour before sitting down to one of several premium tastings.
The Standard Tasting (AUD $15) is a great introduction to the range, featuring whites and reds in a seated session with knowledgeable staff. For something more special, the Premium Tasting offers handpicked varietals that showcase the winemaker’s skill and the region’s depth.
If you want something really special, the Heritage Cellar Experience goes into the museum releases – aged wines that aren’t available to the public, presented alongside current vintages for comparison. Or take it to the next level with the Fortified and Fromage Experience, where barrel samples of maturing fortified wines are paired with local cheeses in the estate’s heritage listed museum space.
The estate also offers picnic experiences among the vines, sweet wine and chocolate pairings, and sparkling brunches, but even if you’re just here for a tasting you’ll leave with more than wine – you’ll take away the memory of an afternoon where tradition meets scenery.
5. Dinner at The Gates Restaurant
As the sun sets over the Brokenback Ranges, finish your day in the Hunter Valley with a beautiful dinner at The Gates Restaurant within the award winning Leogate Estate. Known for its sophisticated atmosphere and dry-aged steaks, this fine dining restaurant delivers on flavour and finesse.
The menu is carefully crafted with two or three courses to choose from. Entrées include classic Sydney Rock Oysters and Kingfish sashimi or decadent options like dry-aged steak tartare with golden egg and truffle oil or spiced quail with cranberry and snow pea tendrils.
For mains, standouts are Glacier 51 Toothfish with pea and mint beurre blanc or duck breast with carrot purée and pomegranate molasses. If you’re feeling rich, go for the Tournedos Rossini, beef tenderloin and foie gras in a truffle and port wine sauce. And of course, the in-house dry-aged beef, aged up to six weeks, is a must try.
Dessert is just as impressive. Caramel Bombe Alaska, dark chocolate mousse with cherry glaze and a refined lavender panna cotta will finish the meal off in style.
Each course can be matched with Leogate’s estate wines, making dinner here a true showcase of the vineyard’s best vintages. With warm hospitality, great views and a Chef Hat to boot, The Gates is the grand finale to a day of indulgence in the Hunter Valley Region.
If you'd like to try something really special, take a Rotor One helicopter tour to Leogate Estate, which includes a gourmet lunch and wine tasting.
An Alternative All-Day Hunter Valley Day Trip
In case a pub crawl sounds like something for you, The Rotor One Hunter Valley Pub Crawl by Helicopter is a beer-lovers day trip like no other.
Departing from Sydney Airport, you’ll fly above the coastline and Northern Beaches before landing in wine country with your own private helicopter setting the scene for an unforgettable day.
The first stop is IronBark Hill Brewhouse, where you’ll try bold American pale ales, rich stouts, and locally brewed IPAs all brewed on site. A rustic venue with wood-fired pizzas, live music, and a cellar door with wine and spirits, IronBark is the perfect start.
Next up is 4 Pines at the Farm, home to small batch lagers, tropical Pacific ales, and smooth Nitro Stout. After a guided tasting, sit back and enjoy a pub lunch with sliders, Wagyu burgers, and wood-fired pizzas.
Finally visit Hope Estate, where beer and spirits take centre stage. Choose from five spirit paddles or try their experimental IPAs and barrel-aged brews, the ultimate way to finish off your tasting tour.
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, bucks party or just a day out, this heli pub crawl is a full-on, high-flying way to experience Hunter Valley like never before.
The Best Ways to Get To and Around Hunter Valley
In case you're wondering how to get around the Hunter Valley, here are some great options for you to consider.
By Car
If you want to travel at your own pace, then traveling by car, whether your own or rented, is a good choice. This way, you can visit each location and spend as much time there as you see fit. That said, this is wine country, so you may need a designated driver!
By Tour Bus
In case having a designated driver is out of the question, your next best bet is to take a tour bus. There are plenty of Hunter Valley tour operators that will take you and dozens of others to various Hunter Valley wineries. However, keep in mind that these tours generally aren't private, so get ready to meet some new people.
With a Private Tour
Another option is to book a private tour bus, with the difference being that private tour groups usually max out at around 15 or 20 people at most. Private tours are great if you're going with a group of friends or co-workers and don't want strangers along for the ride.
By Helicopter
All of that said, the number one best way to get to the Hunter Valley is with a helicopter. Rotor One offers numerous Hunter Valley winery tours, where you fly from Sydney to one of many wineries and restaurants in Hunter Valley. Included with the flights are wine tastings, gourmet meals, and more! Talk about traveling in style!
