Map of Cycle the Hunter Valley including Australia

Experience the best of the Hunter Valley on a 3 day cycling adventure.

Renowned for its magnificent vineyards framed by the Brokenback Ranges, the Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region and well known for its natural beauty, welcoming people and delicious wine. This cycling trip takes in the best of it at a pace set to enjoy the experience rather than get your heart racing. Unpack once in the historic town of Cessnock, then use your bike to meander through wine country along the Wine Eco Trail and the new ‘Around Hermitage Wine & Food Trail’, delve into First Nations Wonnarua history at a nearby winery, and rediscover the joy of pedalling through one of the most gorgeous wine regions in the country.


Start
Cessnock, Australia
Finish
Cessnock, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Original
Theme
Cycling
Code
PZXH
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Unpack once and base yourself on a 4 star hotel in Cessnock, laid back gateway to the Hunter Valley, where a hot shower and comfy bed awaits you each night.

  • Cycle the Wine Eco Trail which showcases half a dozen cellar doors along a 3 kilometre scenic tree-lined and nature-filled lane.

  • Ride along small farm roads and tracks up to the Bimbadeen Lookout for panoramic views over the Hunter Valley .

  • Cycle the new Around Hermitage Wine & Food Trail, sampling stunning wines and fresh produce along the way.

  • Experience a unique opportunity to learn about the oldest living culture on earth at nearby vineyard

Is this trip right for you?

  • Please ensure you consult your local government’s advice regarding domestic travel prior to booking this trip.

  • This trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations and working with new partners can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

  • There is no support vehicle on this trip however distances are short and, as a centre-based trip, your luggage will remain in the hotel rather than need to be carried with you.

  • Due to the relatively small distances cycled on this trip, we have a single leader that rides with the group. There may be times when the leader asks one of the group to act as a backmarker.

Itinerary

Welcome to Cessnock, the gateway to the Hunter Valley and your base for the entire trip. Your trip begins with a midday welcome meeting at our 4 star hotel with your guide and fellow travellers. After an introductory bike fit, enjoy an easy ride following the Wine Eco Trail with six boutique cellar doors in just three kilometres, a wonderful introduction to all the Hunter Valley has to offer. Enjoy your first wine tasting at one of the small family-owned wineries and perhaps a cheese platter before returning to your bike for the ride back to Cessnock past well-known wineries. The rest of the evening is free for you to relax or perhaps dine locally at one of the many nearby wineries. Your group leader will be happy to advise which restaurant to visit if you need help choosing.
Accommodation
  • Wine Country Motor Inn (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Eco Wine Trail Cycling
  • Hunter Valley - Wine Tasting
Optional Activities
  • Cessnock Regional Art Gallery - Free
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
You will spend both nights at the beautiful 4 star Wine Country Motor Inn. You will have the same room for the entirety of your stay so feel free to unpack and relax.

It’s very important that you attend the 12pm welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Today’s riding distance is approximately 30 kms (19 miles) with a 380 m (1250 feet) elevation gain along sealed or gravel roads.
After breakfast, stretch your legs on a shorter but more challenging ride as you head into the nearby foothills of the Brokenback Ranges, passing by rolling farmland on the tracks to Bimbadeen Lookout. While it’s an uphill ride, your efforts are rewarded with sweeping views over the Hunter Valley and the vineyards below. On a clear day you can see all the way to Newcastle's Stockton Beach. From here, it’s a cruisy 10 kilometre downhill ride back to your hotel in Cessnock for a quick shower and change before a transfer to the tiny ‘boutique village’ of Broke, known for some of the best boutique wineries, World Heritage wilderness and a strong connection to our First Nations people.
While the setting is a beautiful vineyard the real highlight is hearing the story of the Wonnarua people, the traditional owners of this beautiful part of Australia. Spend time in the Cultural Centre or "Keeping Place" and listen to fascinating stories as well as visiting a foraging garden to learn and remember how the Wonnarua lived day to day. Finish the tour with a wine tasting (included) before taking the short transfer back to Cessnock where the evening is free to do as you please. To gain a deeper insight into genuine indigenous cuisine perhaps head out to dinner at the renowned Kawul Restaurant.
Accommodation
  • Wine Country Motor Inn (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bimbadeen Lookout Cycling
  • Broke Indigenous culture tour & wine tasting
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s cycling distance is 20 kms (12 miles) with an elevation gain of 350 m (1,150 feet) along sealed and hard-packed gravel road.
Your biggest challenge today will be ensuring you don’t taste so much delicious wine that you can no longer safely ride your bike. Head back into wine country as you enjoy a leisurely cycle along the new Around Hermitage Wine & Food Trail. This loop north of Palmers Lane contains the largest concentration of vineyards in the Hunter Valley (24 and counting) and what is arguably the best scenery the valley has to offer with vineyards forming a patchwork against the dark green backdrop of the Brokenback Mountains. A wine tasting at a small boutique winery is included, of course. This is also a great place to find and gather amazing local food – something each person will do so the group can enjoy a picnic lunch at the end of the ride. From here, all that’s left to do is park the bikes and settle back for the short vehicle transfer back to Cessnock, where your trip finishes on arrival.
Included Activities
  • Hunter Valley - Wine Tasting
  • Around Hermitage Wine & Food Trail Cycling
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s riding distance is 35 kms (22 miles) with an elevation gain of 370 m (1200 feet) along sealed road.

Meals

2 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Transport

Bicycle (e-bike available, subject to availability), Taxi

Accommodation

4 Star Hotel (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Eco Wine Trail Cycling
  • Hunter Valley - Wine Tasting
  • Bimbadeen Lookout Cycling
  • Broke Indigenous culture tour & wine tasting
  • Around Hermitage Wine & Food Trail Cycling

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Cycle the Hunter Valley trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
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Important notes

1. Bicycles are included on this trip but you are welcome to bring your own bike should you choose. A discount of $AUD100 will apply to those people bringing their own bike - please ask your travel consultant for more details.
2. This trip starts on Day 1 at midday (12pm) and finishes around 2pm on Day 3 of the trip.
3. To complete this trip it is important that you are both confident and competent in riding a bicycle.
4. On this trip, we have a single leader that rides with the group.
5. This trip does not have a support vehicle while riding.
6. Our riding is done mostly on a well-graded and maintained roads, so there are no technical cycling skills required.
7. An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available and they are on an 'on request' basis only. A request does not guarantee an e-bike, only a confirmed booking. Please ask your agent for more details at the time of booking.

Essential trip information

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