New South Wales - Australia 2004 - page 193

Tamburlaine Winery Don't miss this boutique winery, the winner of many
wine and tourism awards. McDonald Rd., Pokolbin. & 02/4998 7570. Daily 9:30am-5pm.
Tinklers If you want to taste the grapes in season, head to Tinklers. It sells
some 30 different varieties of eating grapes between December and March, and
nectarines, plums, peaches, and vegetables at other times of the year. It also
offers wine tasting and free vineyard walks at 11am on Saturday and Sunday.
Pokolbin Mountains Rd., Pokolbin. & 02/4998 7435. Daily 10am-4pm.
Tyrell's Tyrell's has produced some famous wines and exports all over the
world. Broke Rd., Pokolbin. & 02/4993 7000. Tours daily 1:30pm.
DAY TOURS, HOT-AIR BALLOON RIDES & OTHER FUN STUFF
If you don't have a car, you'll have to get around as part of a tour, as there is no
public transport running between the wineries.
Trekabout Tours ( & 02/4990 8277 ) offers half-day and full-day winery
tours for a maximum of six people. Half-day tours cost A$28 (US$18), with vis-
its to five or six wineries, and full-day tours cost A$44 (US$29), and take in up
to nine wineries. The company can pick you up from your hotel in either Cess-
nock or Pokolbin.
Also offering local pickup is Hunter Vineyard Tours ( & 02/4991 1659 ),
which has a full-day tour on either 12- or 21-seat buses, taking in five wineries.
They charge A$38 (US$25) or A$55 (US$36) with a two-course meal.
A tranquil way to see the wineries is from above. Balloon Aloft, in Cessnock
( & 1800/028 568 in Australia, or 02/4938 1955; fax [phone]), offers
year-round dawn balloon flights that include a post-flight champagne and
optional breakfast costing A$15 (US$9.75). Flights last about an hour and cost
A$225 (US$146) for adults on weekdays and A$250 (US$162) on weekends.
Children 7 to 12 fly for A$130 (US$85) daily.
If you like adventure, try Grapemobile Bicycle and Walking Tours ( & 0500/
804 039 in Australia, or 02/4991 2339 phone and fax ). This company supplies
you with a mountain bike, helmet, guide, and support bus, and takes you on a
peaceful meander through the wineries. Tours cost A$98 (US$64), including
lunch in a restaurant. They also rent bicycles—A$22 (US$14) for a half day and
A$30 (US$20) for a full day.
WHERE TO STAY
The Hunter Valley is far more expensive on weekends and during public holi-
days, when room prices jump significantly and some properties insist on a 2-
night stay. It's worthwhile checking out the information board located inside the
Wine Country Visitors Information Centre (see “Visitor Information,” above)
for special deals, including self-contained accommodations, cottages, resorts,
and guesthouses.
IN CESSNOCK
Staying in Cessnock is a good idea if you don't have a car and are relying on local
tour companies to pick you up and show you around the area.
Cessnock Heritage Inn This 1920s building, built as a pub, is right in the
center of Cessnock, so there's easy access to all the local pubs and restaurants. All
the rooms are done in country style, with dried grasses, floral bedspreads, and
the like. All are quite large with high ceilings but differ greatly—the smallest
room has a double bed, others have queen beds and singles, and there are two
family rooms (sleeping five). All have ceiling fans and free video movies. There's
also a guest lounge where you can chat with the owners.