HIGHLIGHTS AND THINGS TO DO THIS EASTER

Looking at what to do in the Hunter Valley this easter? From sunrise Hot Air Balloon rides to family Easter events, chocolate and wine tasting, weekend markets, spa dates and more. There is plenty to get you egg-cited.

  

ATTEND AN EASTER EVENT

Yes, the Easter Bunny is coming so pack your bags and hop into the Hunter! Visit Harrigans Hunter Valley on Easter Sunday for a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny along with face painting and balloon animals. Bring the family along to Hunter Valley Gardens for an extended weekend of excitement, complete with an abundance of spectacular rides and Easter activities including a Giant Easter Egg Hunt spanning across the four days. Twine Restaurant will be hosting their annual luxurious Easter Sunday breakfast which includes an Easter Egg hunt for the kids. Looking to meet some furry friends? Gather the whole family at Tatler Wines as Penny’s Ponies & Pets will bring adorable baby animals, offering children the opportunity to frolic and play. Join the family fun festivities at Chateau Elan at The Vintage for a delightful day featuring a Petting Zoo (Easter Friday & Sunday), Live Music, Face Painting, and Seafood and Semillon lunch (Easter Sunday only). Plus, check out the Hunter Valley Wildlife Park who are offering an incredible 30% off all Easter weekend long to make this Easter egg-stra memorable. For just $84 for a family of 4, you can get up close and personal with giraffes, lions, kangaroos and an adorable capybara! And for kids who love a fun-filled adventure, their Easter Wildlife Adventure Trail is the perfect way to explore the parks and win a fabulous Easter show bag valued at over $60. With a variety of free goodies included, like a plush toy, an official wildlife park tote bag, and a return ticket to visit one of their wildlife parks, this is one Easter experience your kids will never forget.

HOT AIR BALLOONING 

Appreciate Australia's oldest wine region from a peaceful perspective, from a hot air balloon! Go above and beyond the horizon this Easter long weekend and experience the Hunter Valley in all its glory at sunrise, we promise the early start is worth it. Check out Balloon Aloft, Beyond Ballooning and Hunter Valley Ballooning and be sure to book in advance.

CHOCOLATE AND WINE TASTING

There is no age limit when it comes to chocolate, so treat yourself to a wine and chocolate pairing experience this Easter in the Hunter Valley. With more than 100 award-winning wineries, there are plenty of vino options on offer to be carefully paired and matched with a range of local, decadent chocolates. Book in for your wine and chocolate experience at Tulloch Wines, Glandore Wines, Wild Ren Wines (also offering kids tastings), Greenway Wines, Saltire Estate, Wine House Hunter Valley, Stomp! Wines and McGuigan Wines this Easter. If you are looking to stay in and enjoy your accommodation, check out the Gourmet Wine Tastings by Stay N' Sip who bring all the fun of wine tasting directly to you.

WEEKEND MARKETS

Who doesn't love a country market? If you're visiting over the Easter weekend, be sure to check out Handmade in the Hunter Markets located at Sobel's Wines on Hall Road, open on Saturday & Sunday for some decadent homemade goodies. 

SPA DAY

Immerse yourselves in a sanctuary of relaxation and rejuvenation as you indulge in a variety of spa treatments in the Hunter Valley. From invigorating massages to pampering facials and hydrotherapy sessions, every moment is crafted to nurture your bond and ignite your senses. Visit one of our many award winning spas including the Spa at Chateau Elan, Ubika Spa at Rydges Resort, or Elysia Wellness Retreat located within Cypress Lakes. Or, book with Heavenly Hunter Massage or Heart of the Hunter for a personalised treatment in the comfort of your own accommodation.

SEAFOOD FEASTS

Indulge in fresh seafood over the Easter long weekend. Experience the ultimate Easter Sunday long lunch at Twine Restaurant, starting at 12:30pm, where you'll feast on the mouth watering menu featuring market-fresh local hot & cold seafood, slow-cooked succulent meats including smoked brisket and pork hock, fresh salads, vegetables and desserts. Take the whole family for lunch or dinner on Good Friday at eRemo’s Seafood Avido Menu. Avido means greedy in Italian so this is your opportunity to get greedy on seafood and enjoy oysters, clams, whole snapper and scallops Italian style. This menu is on offer for lunch and dinner with their everyday menus also available. For something more family friendly, celebrate Easter in style at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley with their Easter Sunday Seafood Buffet Lunch. Dive into an abundance of ocean delights, from plump prawns to succulent oysters, expertly prepared and served with finesse.

BOOK A WINE TASTING

Exploring the Hunter Valley this Easter wouldn't be complete without experiencing the exceptional wines at our award-winning wineries. With so many cellar doors scattered across the region, you're spoiled for choice. From intimate boutique producers to renowned multigenerational brands, there's a diverse range of wineries and wines to discover and enjoy throughout your long weekend visit. Click to discover all of our cellar doors and wineries.

HUNTER VALLEY LEGEND

Graham Doran has built a significant contribution to the Hunter Valley Wine Industry. 

From 1985 to 2005 Graham was responsible for the production of the iconic Mount Pleasant Vineyards which were awarded hundreds of Trophies/Gold medals and reviews. Still to this day these wines are considered classics with all the hallmarks of outstanding Hunter quality. During this time Graham also undertook numerous viticultural trials particularly unique to the Hunter Valley in collaboration with NSW Ag. Dept., CSIRO, Uni of Western Sydney and numerous International Viticultural Collaborators in conjunction with the HVVA. 

In 2022 he published his own book "Beginners Guide to Viticulture in the NSW Hunter Valley” which explores his life's viticultural experiences in the Hunter Valley from his employment as viticulturist at in the Upper Hunter in 1972 to running his own Viticultural Management company for 11 years. His contribution to the Hunter Valley Wine Industry also included acting as advisor to many Hunter Valley vineyards. 

Graham Doran became a living legend in 2023. 

 

EASTER IN THE HUNTER VALLEY

Hop into the Hunter Valley this Easter Long Weekend. From adventure-filled days to cosy nights, the Hunter Valley is the perfect place to make memories for every kind of holiday seeker. Let the kids run free and explore the region's many attractions including the Hunter Valley Wildlife Park and Hunter Valley Gardens. For those seeking more relaxation, spend your time hopping from winery to winery and savour the evenings by an outdoor fire roasting marshmallows under a canopy of stars.

HUNTER VALLEY LEGEND

Bill Roche with his wife Imelda established Nutrimetics in Australia in 1968, quickly expanded the company into Asia Pacific, Europe and Mexico, setting up corporate offices in 16 countries. After acquiring the ownership of the worldwide interests of Nutrimetics, which included the United States and Canada, they moved the international headquarters from California to Sydney. An Australian first. The Group was subsequently sold in 1997 to the Sara Lee Corporation. 

Upon retiring, Bill Roche decided the time was right to honour a long-held ambition and build a garden that would be enjoyed by generations to come. The construction of Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin began in 1999, on what was originally horse paddocks and vineyards. Over a period of five years, under the direct personal management and guidance of Bill and a team of up to 50 landscape gardeners, architects and engineers, the Gardens came to life. 

Hunter Valley Gardens now includes 25 hectares of multi award-winning international gardens, with eight kilometres of walking paths winding through gardens consisting of over 6000 trees, 600,000 shrubs and over 1 million ground cover plants - plus waterfalls, statues, murals and much more. The ten individually themed gardens created by Bill and his team showcase the artistry of gardens around the world. 

‘A love of gardens enhances lives and brings with it an appreciation of nature’s beauty. Gardens also provide a counter to the many pressures of day to day living. The spiritual experience of getting back to nature and into gardens is very rewarding.’ Bill Roche 

Hunter Valley Gardens opened in October 2003 and to date has welcomed 4 million guests! Over the years, the Gardens has continued to be enhanced, and to this day a team of 27 horticultural staff work to make sure the displays are beautiful. The introduction of family orientated events such as Christmas Lights Spectacular and Snow Time, plus new attractions including a giant Ferris Wheel, has ensured that the Gardens continues to be enjoyed by multi-generations of visitors, from the very young to the young at heart. 

‘Hunter Valley Gardens aims to provide visitors with a magical experience – a combination of the sounds of water and birds, together with a multitude of fragrances and colours. For many, an exciting and enriching experience, for others one of calm and comfort. I trust we have provided something for everyone.’ Bill Roche. 

Roche Group Pty Ltd, today owns Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin, Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens, Harrigan’s Irish Pub, Hunter Valley Gardens Village and Roche Estate.

Bill & Imelda Roche were inducted as Legends in 2019.