SYDNEY SURROUNDS HUNTER VALLEY AND PORT STEPHENS SELF-DRIVE ITINERARY
Day 1 Sydney to the Hunter Valley (163km)
From Sydney drive for two hours North West and you will find the Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine producing region. Savour a Semillon or Shiraz (the Hunter’s two signature varieties) at one of the 120 cellar doors and wellrenown wineries such at Tyrells and McWilliams. Sample mouth-watering local produce from farmers’ roadside stalls and tantalising eateries. Relax and unwind at one of the many spas or explore the galleries, antiques and speciality stores in Morpeth, a National Trust-classified town.

Day 2 Hunter Valley
Begin your day with an early morning hot air balloon ride overlooking the spectacular Hunter Valley vineyards. Visit one of the three boutique cheese makers, The Chocolate Factory and numerous olive and olive oil producers. Enjoy a round of golf by the vines at the Greg-Norman designed golf course, The Vintage. Take gourmet cooking lessons or a food and wine-matching course. Stopover at Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin which features 12 themed gardens over 25 hectares.

Day 3 Hunter Valley to Port Stephens (100km)
Continue your journey back towards the coast to Port Stephens, a haven for water activities. Try parasailing, jet skiing, surfing or snorkelling in the Port Stephens waterways. Play a round of golf at one of the area’s 18-hole golf courses. Scuba dive amongst sponge gardens, sea caves and shipwrecks in the Marine National Park or try your luck at fishing from the beach, reef or breakwater.

Day 4 Port Stephens
Today visit one of Australia’s most unique wineries, Port Stephens Winery or watch Port Stephens’ resident dolphins play on a dolphin watching cruise. Try sand boarding on the Stockton Sand dunes on a Moonshadow 4WD tour. Admire the view and sunset from Gan Gan Lookout.

Day 5 Port Stephens to Sydney (235km)