ADVENTURE
Getting Adventurous
in the Hunter Valley “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” - Eleanor Roosevelt. People are drawn to the Hunter Valley for many reasons – amongst them are the world class wines, the food, the tranquillity and more recently the concerts and music festivals featuring Australian and international artists. It’s no secret that if you’re looking for the perfect place to spend a day or a weekend exploring some of Australia’s best wine, there are few better destinations than the cellar doors of the Hunter Valley. But what if you’re looking for more than the opportunity to kick back and relax with a glass of wine in hand – is there something more to Australia’s oldest and largest wine region? Fortunately, the answer is a resounding "yes" - with the Hunter being home to almost as many other interesting activities as there are wine varieties.
SADDLE UP With no shortage of natural bushland just teeming with native wildlife, not to mention the beauty of the rolling hills and stunning views of the countryside, it’s little wonder that getting off the beaten track to discover the world around us is high on the list of must-do activities. Slow the pace down a little to take in the Hunter’s amazing scenery by ditching your four wheels in favour of something with a little less horsepower and saddle up for a horse-riding adventure. At Hunter Valley Horse Riding and Adventures in Lovedale you can ride the unique and beautiful Molly Morgan Range while experiencing the spectacular views of the countryside as far north as the Barrington Tops.
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Take a bike ride
Whether you’re an old hand on horseback or not, there’s a ride for every experience level, with the 1 and 1.5 hour guided trail rides being the most popular for both beginners and experts alike. Owner Margaret Bancroft said horse riding offers people the chance to venture where a vehicle cannot go. "Horse-riding is like nothing else, it's peaceful and tranquil and you get to experience some of the most wonderful scenery and be close to nature at the same time." Of course you can also hop onto a saddle of another kind. Cycling is another great way to make your way around the region at your own pace and get some exercise at the same time. Bring your own bike or hire your own at one of several bike hire places in Pokolbin where you can hire one for the day, complete with a tour map showing suggested routes. If you have the urge to go off the beaten track - a popular route is through the Werakata National Park, a small park located in the southeast corner of Hunter Valley with a rich history of Aboriginal occupation and accessible via Lomas Lane off Wine Country Drive. But if you’re looking for a two-wheeled adventure of another kind, why not seek out the sights on a Segway - a two-wheeled, self-balancing, battery-powered electric vehicle. Book your Segway adventure at Hunter Valley Resort on Hermitage Road, before heading off to explore the off road tracks and trails of the vast bushland property. Travelling along an old 1880's stock route, participants are guaranteed to see the Hunter from a whole new perspective, encountering scores of kangaroos and with awesome views of the Brokenback Ranges before venturing through the resort’s vineyard to conclude the ride.
SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS If wings instead of wheels are more your thing, there’s no better way to combine aerobatic thrills with an amazing view of the valley than by taking flight with Hunter Valley Joy Flights. When it comes to making lasting memories, flying in a vintage aircraft is hard to beat and regardless of the number of adventures you take part in, you will never forget a ride in a vintage aircraft.