Tour Introduction
Escape to one of Australia’s most celebrated food and wine regions on our 5 Day Hunter Valley Escape, where beautiful countryside, fabulous flavours and wonderful Sisterhood company come together. We’ll sip boutique wines, taste artisan cheeses and handcrafted spirits, indulge in High Tea, cruise with dolphins, explore the spectacular Stockton Sand Dunes and enjoy the iconic Riverboat Postman along the Hawkesbury River. With four nights in the heart of the Hunter Valley, this delicious little getaway is the perfect blend of indulgence, adventure and relaxation.Highlights
Hands-on Hunter Valley Cooking School experience with local produce & wines
Explore the spectacular Hunter Valley Gardens & Shopping Village
Boutique wine tasting at Greenway Wines overlooking the Brokenback Ranges
Dolphin watching cruise through beautiful Port Stephens
4WD adventure across the incredible Stockton Sand Dunes & visit to Tin City
Taste award-winning artisan cheeses at Binnorie Dairy
Indulge in a Wine & Chocolate Pairing experience at Tulloch Wines
Sample locally crafted gin, vodka & liqueurs at Hunter Distillery
Elegant High Tea at picturesque voco Kirkton Park
Cruise the Hawkesbury River aboard the iconic Riverboat Postman with lunch onboard
Four nights in the heart of the Hunter Valley at Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens
Wonderful food, local wines & plenty of great Sisterhood company
Inclusions
Fully escorted - your Sisterhood Tour Hostess is on hand to assist with making your holiday a memorable one
Return economy airfares ex Melbourne (other departure cities available upon request)
All transportation throughout
All sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
All meals as detailed in the itinerary
Accommodation with private facilities
Willing to share option (subject to availability)
Notice
Activity Level:
his tour is perfect for travellers with an easy level of fitness who enjoy relaxed sightseeing, wonderful food and wine experiences and exploring at a comfortable pace. Most activities involve short periods of gentle walking, with plenty of opportunities to sit and relax throughout the day. Travellers should be comfortable walking around gardens, wineries and attractions, standing for periods during the cooking school and tastings, boarding and disembarking coaches, a cruise vessel and 4WD vehicles independently, and negotiating occasional steps and uneven natural surfaces.
Activity Factors:
✔ Gentle walking throughout the tour
✔ Walking through Hunter Valley Gardens and Shopping Village
✔ Standing for periods during the hands-on cooking school experience
✔ Winery, distillery and artisan producer visits
✔ Dolphin watching cruise at Port Stephens
✔ Boarding and disembarking cruise vessels independently
✔ 4WD Stockton Sand Dunes and Tin City experience
✔ Getting in and out of 4WD vehicles independently
✔ Some sand and uneven natural surfaces
✔ Hawkesbury River cruise aboard the Riverboat Postman
✔ Occasional steps and gentle inclines
✔ Independent luggage handling when required
✔ Plenty of seated experiences and opportunities to rest
✘ No compulsory hiking or trekking
✘ No long-distance walking days
✘ No sustained steep climbs
✘ No technically challenging terrain
Additional Meal Allowance:
For comfortable budgeting, we recommend allowing approximately AUD150 per person for meals not included, together with coffees, drinks and incidental snacks throughout the tour. With breakfast included daily, three lunches, all dinners, High Tea and a wonderful selection of local food and wine tastings already included, very little additional meal spending should be required.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Monday 8 March 2027
Melbourne - Sydney - Hunter Valley (D)
Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel. Meet your Sisterhood hostess and fellow travellers at the Melbourne Airport for your flight to Sydney.
Upon our arrival into Sydney, we make our way north with a comfort stop en route before arriving in Australia's oldest and most celebrated wine region. Settle into the Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens, our home for the next four nights, perfectly located in the heart of the vineyards. This evening, well enjoy a welcome dinner accompanied by a selection of local Hunter Valley wines, the perfect introduction to the region.
Overnight - Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens
Day 2 - Tuesday 9 March 2027
Hunter Valley Exploring (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we begin the day at the spectacular Hunter Valley Gardens, where we have time to wander through over 14 hectares of beautifully themed display gardens, waterfalls and floral landscapes. Before departing, enjoy free time to browse the charming Shopping Village.
From here, it's time to roll up our sleeves for a memorable hands-on cooking experience at the Hunter Valley Resort Cooking School. Working alongside experienced chefs, we'll prepare a delicious meal using fresh local produce before sitting down to enjoy our culinary creations paired with Hunter Valley wines.
This afternoon we visit the boutique Greenway Wines, where we'll enjoy a relaxed wine tasting overlooking the magnificent Brokenback Ranges before returning to the hotel. Dinner is served this evening at the hotel.
Overnight - Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens
Day 3 - Wednesday 10 March 2027
Port Nelson Day Trip (B, D)
Today's adventure takes us to the beautiful seaside town of Nelson Bay in Port Stephens. Board a Dolphin & Whale Watch Cruise, where we'll have the opportunity to spot the region's resident bottlenose dolphins as they play in the crystal-clear waters. Following the cruise, enjoy free time to explore the marina and waterfront before enjoying lunch at our leisure.
This afternoon experience the incredible Stockton Sand Dunes aboard a purpose-built 4WD vehicle. Journey across the largest moving coastal sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, visit the fascinating Tin City, and enjoy breathtaking coastal scenery along this unique landscape. We return to the Hunter Valley this afternoon, with dinner at the hotel.
Overnight - Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens
Day 4 - Thursday 11 March 2027
Exploring Hunter Valley (B, D)
Today is devoted to sampling some of the Hunter Valley's finest local produce. Our first stop is Binnorie Dairy, where we enjoy a tasting of their award-winning artisan cheeses, handcrafted using traditional methods. Next, indulge in a signature Wine & Chocolate Pairing at Tulloch Wines, perfectly matching premium Hunter Valley wines with handcrafted chocolates for a truly decadent experience. We continue to the renowned Hunter Distillery, home to an impressive range of award winning gin, vodka and liqueurs, where we'lll enjoy a guided tasting.
This afternoon, we''ll enjoy an elegant High Tea at the beautiful voco Kirkton Park, featuring freshly baked scones, delicate pastries and regional delights in one of the Hunter's most picturesque settings. After some time to relax back at the hotel, we come together one final time for a special farewell dinner celebrating a wonderful few days in the Hunter Valley. Overnight: Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens.
Overnight - Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens
Day 5 - Friday 12 March 2027
Hawkesbury River - Sydney - Melbourne (B, MT, L)
After breakfast we farewell the Hunter Valley and travel towards the Hawkesbury River. Board the iconic Riverboat Postman Cruise, Australia's last operating Riverboat Postman, delivering mail and supplies to the river's isolated communities. As we cruise this spectacular waterway, enjoy morning tea followed by a delicious lunch onboard while taking in the peaceful scenery and learning about life along the river. This afternoon we continue to Sydney Airport for our flight home, taking with us wonderful memories of exceptional food, fine wines, beautiful gardens and unforgettable experiences.
Thank you for joining us for your latest adventure and we look forward to welcoming you back.