Wollombi Valley Wine Tours to Pokolbin
The Wollombi Valley Wine District is one of seven that make up the Lower Hunter Valley Wine Region. A great place to combine a relaxing getaway with a Wine tour.
A heady mix of attractions from rugged national parks, quaint villages and boutique wines to a lively arts scene and ancient Aboriginal sites, the historic and beautiful Wollombi Valley is situated Two hours’ drive north of Sydney and 80 minutes west of Newcastle Airport.
Derived from the Aboriginal, meaning ‘meeting place’ or ‘meeting place of the waters’, Wollombi village lies in the heart of the valley and traces its colonial heritage to the convict-built Great North Road.
Wollombi Valley encompasses the historic villages of Wollombi, Laguna and Millfield, each with their own well-preserved sandstone buildings and timber slab cottages. The most famous element of heritage value is the” The Great North Road”, an item of national heritage significance.
Amazing Things to Do, Places to See.
HISTORIC WOLLOMBI VILLAGE WALK
Take in the historic buildings and surrounds of Wollombi. During an easy 1km walk. A map is available at the Wollombi Museum. You can also enjoy a gentle walk that follows the Wollombi Brook, beginning at the Wollombi road west of cemetery (sign posted).
Wollombi Endeavour Museum
Situated in heritage listed sandstone building circa 1866 which operated until 1951 as a Court House, the Museum includes exhibits and displays of local history obtained within the original late 1800’s Wollombi Court House Police Precinct.
https://www.visitwollombi.com.au/business/name/endeavour-museum/
Wollombi is renowned for the breadth and depth of artistic talent that reside in the Valley, with award winning sculptors, visual, textile, furniture, ceramic artists and photographers having lived, worked and exhibited in the area.
Wollombi Valley Arts Council
Formed in 1998 by a group of creative locals to help foster and encourage all kinds of artistic expression within the Wollombi Valley Communities, the WVAC is a non-profit, incorporated organisation, run solely by dedicated volunteers, and is affiliated with Regional Arts NSW. Workshops and local artist exhibitions are held regularly in the Old Fire Shed Gallery.
Including;
The Little Yengo Room
Embodying the meaning of Wollombi – ‘meeting place’. The Aboriginal paintings and artefacts in this gallery, come from near and far, to share ancient and continuous connections with country.
For more information; https://www.wollombi.org/about-wvac/
Wollombi General Store
Built in the 1850’s and retaining its heritage and character, the store sells local produce including jams, honey, knitted items, chopping board’s garlic and lavender. There are grocery items, fruit, vegetables and dairy items for sale with an interesting selection of gifts. The Harp of Erin Cafe which is part of the store, serves great coffee and has a selection of hot and cold food available.
The Harp of Erin Theatre and garden has seating area and occasional evening entertainment.
Enjoy your meal and drinks in the gallery area which hosts some lovely local art and photographs.
https://www.visitwollombi.com.au/business/name/wollombi-general-store/
Cooks Arm Alpacas
Primarily we produce (in an on-farm workshop) high quality hand-spun and hand-knitted garments. All garments are made from the best of our rare Suri alpaca fleeces, fleeces from our alpacas that we breed on our farm here in the Wollombi Valley.
Great North Road – Convict Trail
The Convict Trail is the name for convict built Great North Road, the surrounding land and historic buildings.
World Heritage Listing
In July 2010 the Great North Road and ten other Australian sites with a significant association with convict transportation were inscribed as a group on the World Heritage List as the Australian Convict Sites. These sites present “the best surviving examples of large-scale convict transportation and the colonial expansion of European powers through the presence and labour of convicts”.
From which ever direction you travel to Wollombi you are traveling on part of the Great North Road thus along the Convict Trail. The Convict Trail Project has produced a series of E-brochures to make your drive more enjoyable.
The Great North Road is a 240 km convict-built masterpiece constructed between 1826 and 1836 to provide an overland route from Sydney to Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. It was — and remains — an extraordinary feat of engineering as it traverses sandstone gorges, razorback ridges and towering passes. Convict built remains such as stone retaining walls, pick dressed cuttings, culverts, bridges and stone cut drains can be seen when driving along the road or when walking in Dharug and Yengo National Parks.
WOLLOMBI MARKETS
Attracting thousands of visitors to the beautiful countryside, visit on the holiday Monday of each long weekend (Easter, June and October) and on Australia Day for Wollombi Markets. With over 100 stalls, including local produce and crafts, plants, clothes, tools, bric-a-brac and much more.
For more information: http://www.wollombimarkets.com/
Not your Average GARAGE SALE
Held in Millbrook a short stroll from the Wollombi Village, located just before the historic Wollombi cemetery.
Not Your Average GARAGE SALE is a collaboration by Wollombi locals to provide an enormous array of – Old & New, Collectable & Kitsch, Antique & Pre-Loved items for sale.
https://www.visitwollombi.com.au/events/not-average-garage-sale-3-2019-01-19/
Special Events
Wollombi Music Festival in September
Celebrating its 10th Birthday over the weekend of Friday to Sunday, September 27 – 29 at ‘Cranky Rock’, This unique festival is strictly limited to 500. Providing a mix of food stalls catering for all tastes including vegetarian & vegan, market stalls, a well-stocked bar and a designated ‘Mini Wollombi’ Kidsfest area, epic drum circle, silent disco & roving performers, Wollombi Music Festival encompasses a camping experience.
Wollombi Paddock Sessions
If you like to celebrate music, art, family and friendship, a big stage, wide open paddocks and plenty of chill out music to fire up the senses, you will love the one-day music festival held each year in May at Taer Angwidd farm.
After its debut in 2016 and building its reputation with the 2017 and 2018 events, the Paddock Session will continue the tradition in 2019, with an amazing mix of alternative roots, rock, folk and country musicians.
Sculpture in the Vineyards in November
Held in Spring visit the annual indoor/outdoor exhibition showcasing talented Australian artists, during the free 16-day outdoor exhibition in November across four vineyards. Relax with the family surrounded by the natural setting. Listen to friendly art experts, join an artist led workshop or chat about wine making with experienced local vignerons.
Love a Lamb Day
Looking for an alternative to the usual Australia Day BBQ events? Join us for our annual Love A Lamb Day – where lambs are the treasured guests of honour and not the main course.
With a day jam packed with family fun activities, take a tour and meet rescue animal residents, hear their stories, enjoy delicious cruelty-free food, support Where Pigs Fly Farm Sanctuary.
Wollombi Wild Ride
With 3 separate courses to choose from, this is a recreational Mountain Bike Event intended for riders of all standards. Traverse along fire trails and gravel roads around the Wollombi and Laguna areas while completing a flat 13.5 km short course, a hilly 30km distance or a longer course for more experienced riders. You are in for a Wild Ride.
Accommodation
Offering options to suit a range of budgets, predominantly self-contained options, from luxury villas and vineyard retreats to rustic timber cabins, and charming boutique B&Bs and historic sandstone cottages, Wollombi Valley promises as amazing experience.
For bookings refer to:
Visit Destinations NSW
Hunter Valley Wine Country
Dining Options
Whether you enjoy your morning coffee, lazy breakfast, long lingering lunch or fireside dinner, you will delight in any one of the many fine dining or casual eateries. Country charm or cosmopolitan sophistication, fantastic fare is to be had.
Great Northern Trading Post
A truly eclectic, unique place to have a drink, a fabulous meal and listen to live music.
Myrtle House
The beautiful garden setting complements our friendly and relaxed vibe, with a focus on fresh, healthy, tasty food cooked on the premises.
Panino Gourmet Deli Caffe & Restaurant
Set in a beautiful historic sandstone building, Grays Inn in the Wollombi village, Panino offers delicious Italian style food in a relaxed, rustic setting with both al-a-carte and al-fresco dining overlooking a charming parterre style garden.
Wollombi Tavern
A friendly and interesting spot to stop, enjoy a snack or meal in the dining room, a picnic on the wonderful rolling lawns, Pizzas or Cook your Own BBQ.
The Tavern is also the Home of Dr. Jurd’s Jungle Juice.
Wollombi General Store – Harp of Erin Cafe
Selling local produce including jams, honey, garlic and lavender, grocery items, fruit, vegetables and dairy items.
The Café serves great coffee and has a selection of hold and cold food.
Checkout these Amazing venues to eat, dine or just relax and enjoy the ambience.
Wollombi Valley
Vineyards and Wine Tasting
From big-name wineries to boutique beauties hidden away down country back roads, Australia’s oldest wine region has enough cellar doors to keep you occupied for weeks. Here in Pokolbin you can choose from large national wineries to small boutique family operated vineyards. Some are open 7 days, while others welcome visitors to their Cellar Doors on weekends and Public Holidays. Visit the following sites to download maps of the area and a detailed list of these amazing wine producers.
Combine these great experiences with the Hunter Valley wine region with a tour
A great way to enjoy the views and of course the sensational tastes of what the region offers is to book a wine tour with:
With pick-ups and drop-offs from your accommodation
Whether it’s for a corporate or social event, our Hunter Valley wine tasting tours are the perfect way to experience what the famous wine region has to offer.
Our tours are designed with our guest in mind, keeping it simple so that all you need to do is enjoy the day.
Since 2001, we’ve specialized in guiding small group wine tours through the Hunter Valley. We’re family owned and operated and are passionate about showcasing the beautiful Hunter Valley region and its wines, providing our guest with the ultimate wine tasting experience.
