Wollombi Valley

Meaning ‘meeting place’ travellers have gathered here at the junction of convict-built Great North Road since the days of bushrangers. The magnificent Watagan Mountains are now the domain of mountain biking and 4WD trails. Journey back in time to the old-world shopfronts of historic Wollombi Village and rally the troops at the tavern for a local ale. Fine wines and muscats have been hand-crafted here since the 1850’s, and Colonial charm is blended beautifully with contemporary comforts at charming cottages and homestead stays. A hive of Hunter Valley artists, its well worth taking in an art installation, or show by local thespians at Laguna Hall.

Hunter Valley via Tourist Drive 33

Take the scenic route to Wollombi from Sydney and arrive refreshed in under 2 hours. Popular with day-trippers and exhilarating for motorcyclists, Tourist Drive 33 is the adventurer’s gateway to Wine Country.

Trace the convict-built Great North Road through picturesque countryside, sighting heritage-listed dry stone walls and culverts along the way. Pass through the villages of Peats Ridge, Kulnura and Bucketty, over Fernances Crossing, and once you hit Laguna, you’re minutes from Wollombi.

Where else but Wollombi?

It’s easy to imagine stage-coaches rattling down the main street when you stop in at the old trading post in historic Wollombi Village. A watering hole for travellers since the 1800’s, its Georgian inn was an overnight stop on the 2 day journey from Sydney along the convict-built Great North Road trading route. These days you can re-charge your Tesla and carry on exploring more of the spectacular countryside, welcoming cellar doors, fascinating heritage sites, and charming shopfronts of a bygone era.

Discover more than 300 ancient Aboriginal sites of significance, watch for heritage-listed remnants of the original convict trail along Tourist Drive 33, and explore Australia’s wild Colonial past on an easy 1km Historical Wollombi Village Walk.

Feeling adventurous? Wollombi is bordered by national parks with no end of nature walks, mountain biking trails and 4WD tracks through spectacular terrain and convict ruins. Follow Wollombi Valley Wine Trail to boutique cellar doors with real character, try an impressive range of wine styles and rare grape varieties, and stock up on farm fresh produce. Pre-booking a personalised tour during vintage will get your closer to the winemaking action for a fuller understanding of what makes our Chambourcin, Muscat, Semillon, Shiraz and Chardonnay wines wonderfully unique.

Prefer to stay put and enjoy your cosy country cottage, romantic barn, or rural homestead? Let local foodies bring the catering to you! Generous picnic hampers are a local specialty. Village ambience is best enjoyed over a lazy café breakfast or lunch and a scoop of gelato from the General Store. Kick back with live music and a pub meal by the brook, and try a tapas pop-up afer dark.

A haven for artistic talent, from painters and playwrights to performers, there’s always an exhibition or installation, supper club or smokeout, theatre show or Sunday sesh, happening here in Wollombi.