Hunter Valley & Orange Wine Trail

7 days Blue Mountains, Orange & Hunter Valley

Day One

Sydney - Katoomba

Pick up a hire car in Sydney. Your first stop is just 1 hour from the centre of Sydney. As the Great Western Highway climbs into the Blue Mountains, call in at the Norman Lindsay Gallery. The former home of the great Australian painter, sculptor and writer now showcases many of his works, plus has beautifully landscaped grounds and a cafe.

Another 30 minutes up into the mountains, you can stretch your legs again on the short but spectacular Three Sisters Walk. After you’ve completed the 1km loop, sit down for lunch with a view at The Lookout, perched right on the edge of the escarpment at Echo Point.

For more glorious scenery (with a little bit of adrenaline thrown in), head to Scenic World. Take the super-steep Scenic Railway to the valley floor, follow the Scenic Walkway elevated rainforest walk and catch the Scenic Cableway back up. Make sure you leave enough time for the Scenic Skyway cablecar across the Jamison Valley, too. Sign up for the Beyond Skyway experience to climb out of the car halfway and admire the views from the roof, 270m above the canopy - not for the faint-hearted. Or learn about the ancient traditions of the valley on a guided Gundungurra Indigenous Tour.

After the sun sets, there is the opportunity for different views. This time, it is the night sky that takes centre stage, as the skies in the Blue Mountains are clear and dark, perfect for viewing Australia’s southern night sky. Blue Mountains Stargazing takes you on an astronomer-led journey offering knowledge on stars, constellations, and stories. This is with the naked eye and telescopes.

Overnight suggestions: Lilianfels, Spicers Sangoma Retreat, Hydro Majestic

Approx. drive time: 1.5hrs + stopping & exploring

Approx. distance: 100km

Blue Mountaine Credit Photo Tourism Australia Smaller

Day TWO

Katoomba - ORANGE

The pretty village of Blackheath is perched right at the top of the Blue Mountains. There are a handful of stylish boutiques, the vast Victory Theatre Antiques Centre with more than 50 dealers selling everything from jewellery to furniture, and the interesting Blue Mountains Heritage Centre, where you can take a virtual reality tour through Claustral Canyon.

On the other side of the mountains, you’ll find the town of Lithgow. Grab some lunch at the Lithgow Tin Shed and call in for an artisan cheese tasting at the Jannei Goat Dairy. Military buffs will enjoy the Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum. After checking out the painted silos at a former cement works, you’ll arrive in historic Bathurst, 50min west of Lithgow. Get revved up at the National Racing Museum or check out dinosaur bones at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum while you’re here.

There’s time for one more stop in the village of Lucknow, just outside of Orange. It’s best known for the Skin Shop and Boot Barn, where you can pick up some stylish cowboy boots, sheepskin boots, cowhide rugs, and more. Arrive Orange.

Overnight suggestions: The Byng St Boutique Hotel, Basalt Orange

Approx. drive time: 1.5hrs + stopping and exploring time

Approx. distance: 100km

Day THREE

ORANGE

Orange is a large regional centre filled with wide tree-lined streets, colonial-style buildings, a phenomenal food and wine scene, boutique shops, and glorious gardens. It is a very seasonal town, with the colours changing regularly and many festivals and events throughout the year.

This morning, explore the many things Orange has to offer. Breakfast at Groundstone Café is a great way to start the day. They have great coffee and food, are located within the cultural and museum precinct, and are next to the Visitor Information Centre (VIC).

There are excellent locally owned and operated shops to explore, Jumbled, Hawks General Store, and Dirty Janes are highlights.

There is no end of heritage trails to be found in the region; the Visitor Information Centre can give you maps. Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve is a particularly beautiful place to explore with tracks and caves.

This afternoon visit Swinging Bridge winery and do their Indulge with Swinging Bridge experience. You’ll enjoy a guided walking tour of their spectacular Hill Park Vineyard before an in-depth tasting of their award-winning wines. These are all beautifully paired with a 5-course degustation lunch.

Tonight, there are many options for dinner; some favourites are Union Bank, Raku, Mr Lim, and Ferment.

Swinging Bridge_Indulge Experience_Wine_Tasting_Glasses_Talent

Day FOUR

ORANGE

Get some fresh air with an invigorating mountain walk. Mount Canobolas is especially magical in winter. Hear the muffled crunch of snow underfoot and the tinkling of snow-capped gums in the breeze, and look for wombat tracks and burrows.

Sitting on Mt Canobolas is Printhie Wines. Here, experience their Sparkling Masterclass, an immersive journey uncovering the art of traditional method sparkling. You’ll be treated to a tasting of the Swift Sparkling range, including the 2011 Blanc de Blancs, which was awarded Best Australian Sparkling at the 2022 Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships in London.

Another option at Printhie is a private fly-fishing experience and bespoke wine tasting. Devote the morning to enjoying the peaceful surrounds of their lake and learn the art of fly fishing. Your private instructor will take you through rigging and casting, and how to reel in your fish. You will then settle in for two hours of guided fly fishing. Deck chairs and a bottle of Swift Cuvée will be set up for when you feel like taking a break. This is followed by a bespoke tasting at Printhie’s Cellar Door.

Lunch at Printhie is an absolute treat. Their food has a focus on quality and simplicity, with produce sourced directly from their property or trusted regional producers and purveyors. Allow time and appetite for their 4-course degustation.

Day Five

ORANGE - hunter valley

Before leaving Orange, make sure you grab some supplies from one of their gourmet delicatessens, like The Agrestic Grocer for a picnic lunch later in the day.

Today’s drive is long, but it is through extremely picturesque countryside, consisting of two National Parks, the Wollembi and Goulburn River National Parks, along the Bylong Valley Way. You will pass through two main towns, Kandos and Rylstone. You are on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri People; the towns were settled in the 1810s and 1820s. There are lovely picnic spots and places to stop for an ice cream along the way.

Overnight Suggestions: Cottages onsite at Audrey Wilkinson, Tower Lodge, Spicers Guest House, and Spicers Vineyards

Approx. drive time: 5hr 45min plus stopping

Approx. distance: 445km

Day six

hunter valley

Explore the Hunter Valley by starting at Audrey Wilkinson winery for stunning views and superb wine. Book their Premium Picnic Among The Vines experience and enjoy a self-guided tour of their on-site museum, followed by a master class and premium tasting from their in-house wine expert.

Following the masterclass, allow them to pre-set a picnic site, complete with creature comforts, flowers for styling, chocolates, a boxed bottle of wine signed by the winemaker, and a take-home bouquet of flowers on a scenic location within their 270-acre property. You’ll immerse yourself among the vines where you will feel as though you have the whole vineyard to yourself!

There are many other wonderful things to do while in the Hunter Valley. We recommend Binnoire Dairy, Hunter Valley Gardens, and Hunter Valley Wildlife Park.