Gather your loved ones and take a break from the every day routines to enjoy a relaxing Easter getaway in the Hunter Valley. Spend your days hopping from winery to winery, tasting chocolate delights and sipping on some of the region’s finest wines. Let the kids run free and explore the regions many attractions or one of the family-fun Easter Events. From adventure-filled days to cosy nights, the Hunter Valley is the perfect place to make memories with your family and friends this Easter. Check out all that's on offer this Easter on the Easter Page.
1. FAMILY EASTER EVENTS
Yes, the Easter Bunny is coming to the Hunter Valley!
Family Easter at Hunter Valley Gardens
Friday 18th to Monday 21st April
Hop into Hunter Valley Gardens for boundless fun for the entire family, complete with an abundance of spectacular rides and Easter activities including a Giant Easter Egg Hunt spanning across the four days. Every child will receive an Easter chocolate at the completion of the Giant Easter Egg Hunt*. Plus, there’s also a Golden Egg Hunt to win a Family Annual Pass!
Easter cupcake decorating at 4 Pines Hunter Valley
Friday 18th April
Get into the Easter spirit this Good Friday with a fun-filled cupcake decorating workshop for kids, featuring carrot and vanilla cupcakes, colourful toppings, and take-home treats. Aprons, chef hats, finger food, and goodie bags included. Only 30 spots available so book in early.
Easter Sunday at Twine Restaurant
Sunday 20th April
Make this year's Easter unforgettable with a luxurious breakfast at Twine Restaurant! From 8-10am Easter Sunday enjoy a morning filled with all your delicious breakfast favourites and an easter egg hunt for the kids with the purchase of a Children breakfast buffet ticket. Additional children under 3 or over 12 can participate for a $5 fee. Just let the team know when booking!
Chateau Elan Family Day
Sunday 20th April
Join the family fun festivities at Chateau Elan on Sunday 20th April for a delightful day featuring a Petting Zoo and Live Music from 1pm.
Nineteen Hunter Valley
Friday 18th to Monday 21st April
With Live music and mouth-watering meals, and of course, a visit from the Easter Bunny with chocolate egg giveaways, the team at Nineteen have planned something special for every member of the family across the Easter Long Weekend
2. SENSATIONAL SEAFOOD FEASTS
Indulge in fresh seafood over the Easter long weekend, we have plenty of culinary delights on offer, championing seafood in honour of the Easter long weekend.
Easter Banquet at Boydell's
Thursday 17th, Friday 18th and Saturday 19th of April for lunch and dinner
Enjoy a really indulgent banquet at Boydell's in the historic village of Morpeth. The banquet includes king prawns, scallops, spiced burrata with snow peas and mint salad and whole baked snapper with chilli and lime and asian herb.
Easter Getaway at éRemo Restaurant
Friday 18th to Sunday 20th of April for lunch and dinner
This Easter, escape to éRemo Restaurant for a celebration filled with the rich flavours of contemporary Italian cuisine. Choose from our specially crafted two-course lunch, three-course dinner, or their Easter Avido dinner for an unforgettable feast.
Easter Feasts at Twine Restaurant
Sunday 20th of April for breakfast or lunch
Enjoy Easter Breakfast with an easter egg hunt on Sunday morning at Twine Restaurant with all your breakfast favourites, or join them for a long lunch featuring market fresh local hot and cold seafood, slow cooked meats, fresh salads, and other Easter eff hunt for the kids.
Easter at Restaurant Botanica
Friday 18th to Sunday 20th of April
Modern Australian with a distinctive regional style with views overlooking the vineyards. Join the Good Friday feast at Restaurant Botanica for a a 5 course lunch including Coffin bay oysters, tempura prawn with daikon and shiro miso, ocean trout, tuna tataki with edamame and more. On Saturday enjoy a two or three course degustation dinner, and Easter Sunday bring the family for a two or three course lunch or family picnic and degustation dinner featuring an Easter Eff Hunt and a special treat for children under 13 set among the vines.
Easter Lunch at Chateau Elan
Saturday 19th April
Gather your family for a special Easter Lunch at Chateau Elan. Live music from 1pm.
Seafood Sand Bar at Nineteen
Friday 18th to Monday 21st April
This Easter Long Weekend, indulge in the freshest seafood at Nineteen's Seafood Sand Bar, featuring an incredible selection of oysters and prawns, served from the Beer Garden. Pair your seafood with a refreshing cocktail or an ice-cold beer while soaking up the long weekend vibes. Open between 5pm - 8pm Good Friday, and 12pm - 2:30pm and 5pm - 8pm Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
3. CHOCOLATE AND WINE PAIRINGS
There is no age limit when it comes to chocolate, so treat yourself to a wine and chocolate pairing experience this Easter. 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. The combination of bold reds and delicate whites with rich, creamy chocolates will no doubt create a memorable Easter long weekend. For a classic combination, try pairing a Shiraz with dark chocolate truffles. The intense, jammy notes of the Shiraz will pair perfectly with the intense, bittersweet flavour of the truffles. If you're looking for something a little lighter, try a Semillon with white chocolate. 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, Emma's Vineyard Estate, Scarborough Wines, Pokolbin Estate (offering kids easter egg tastings) 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.
Need to stock up on Easter chocolate? Be sure to stop by the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company and Sabor Dessert Bar, both located on Broke Road.
4. 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. Watch the land slowly transform into an artistic patchwork of green plains, native forests and of course vineyards as you ascend into the clouds. There are plenty of balloon operators to choose from depending on your style of flight. Check out Balloon Aloft, Beyond Ballooning and Hunter Valley Ballooning and be sure to book in advance.
5. TAKE A HIKE IN ONE OF OUR NATIONAL PARKS
If a more unstructured, outdoor adventure is in the plan, the Hunter Valley Wine Country is surrounded by a number of National Parks that make for perfect bushwalking, especially as the days begin to cool down. The Watagans National Park covers 7,751 hectares of an extensive mountain range which provides many recreational opportunities, both in the national park and adjoining state forests. Werakata National Park is a small park located in the southeast corner of Hunter Valley Wine Country, which comes with a rich history of Aboriginal occupation. Today it conserves a diversity of plants and animals including a number of threatened species and endangered ecological communities.
6. BOOK A WINE TASTING
Exploring Wine Country 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 here to discover all of our cellar doors and wineries.
7. PLAY A ROUND OF GOLF
Tee off this long weekend at one of our award winning golf courses, each with luxury accommodation on-site and surrounded by our rolling vineyards. Choose from Chateau Elan Golf Course designed by Greg Norman, an impressive 18-hole championship course that is challenging, engaging and welcoming in equal parts - be as competitive or leisurely as you like. Advance your swing at the grounds of the Rydges Resort Hunter Valley on their 18-hole championship golf course. Situated closest to the Brokenback Mountain Range, Cypress Lakes is a picturesque 6,487 metre par 72 18-hole championship golf course and is ranked among the top resort courses in Australia. Each tee and green offers stunning panoramic views of the Hunter Valley’s famous vineyards and the course layout boasts dramatic fairways, shapes and elevation changes all kept in superb condition all year round. Or, if you feel your skills don't 'tee' up to the professional level or simply want to have a bit of fun, check out the Putt-Putt and Aqua Golf at Hunter Valley Gardens. Great fun for the whole family plus you can win some epic local prizes.
8. 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 of the Easter long weekend.
9. SPA DAY
Immerse yourselves in a sanctuary of relaxation and rejuvenation as you indulge in a variety of spa treatments. 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.
10. GET JIGGY TO SOME LIVE MUSIC
Whether you’re after sunshine, vine side acoustic blues in the afternoon or a sun-drenched beer garden with a band covering all the classics, there is no better way to slow down than with some great vino and vibes. Gather the gang for a relaxing afternoon or evening out at one of our many live music venues. Check out all the places with live music over the long weekend here.
This blog was created by Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association.
