Events Hunter style 2018

Late autumn, winter and early spring are all spectacular times to spend in the Hunter Valley. With its proximity to Sydney, it remains a great getaway for a long weekend, mini-break or even a leisurely couple of weeks.

Similar to the Mediterranean, the climate in the Hunter Valley ranges from balmy days in spring and summer to fresh nights in autumn and winter.

Wood fires will warm the cockles of your soul as you sample the delicious food and wine of the region in the cooler months.

Spring is a most magical time when the landscape bursts into life and the sunshine will make you feel refreshed and renewed.

Whatever the season, the gorgeous scenery is guaranteed.

Put aside the months of May and June to titillate your taste buds in the Hunter. 

Running  throughout these months, the Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival is a much anticipated event. In fact you could come to the Hunter during these months and do nothing but attend tasty festival events.

With many events to choose from, wine and dine with top Hunter Valley chefs, join a vineyard tour or wine making masterclass, take an interactive class to fire-up and improve your kitchen skills or just enjoy some of the best tipples the area is renowned for.

Just about all year round you can find some fun markets to pick up a bargain in the Hunter Valley.

A recent popular addition to the market scene is the Sacred Tree Markets on the third Sunday of each month in Branxton.

Handmade Hunter Markets at Kevin Sobels Wines, on Broke Road Pokolbin, runs on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month and both Saturday and Sunday of long weekends.

As part of the Food and Wine festival, Flickerfest will roll on May 5. The Food and Film Festival will be screening the “Best of Australian” Short Films at Peter Drayton’s Ironbark Hill Winery and Brewhouse.

Now in its 27^th year and touring Australia, Flickerfest is considered internationally as the leading Australian competitive short film festival and increasingly filmmakers view it as one of the main festivals on the world circuit.

The Best of Australian Shorts program is a specially curated selection of highlights from Flickerfest’s Australian Academy Accredited competition programmes in Bondi 2018.

Peter Drayton Wines will be hosting this prestigious entertainment event and will ensure you have a show stopping experience.

On the weekend of May 26 enjoy the second of the film nights as the Around Hermitage team screen a unique film. 

Produced in the Hunter Valley the film, in keeping with the foodie theme, is based on Australia’s first cookbook, Cookery for the many as well as for the upper 10,000, which was published in 1864. Eat, drink and be entertained all at once.

Now in its sixth year the Hunter Valley Wine Festival takes place on June 30 in the grounds of the picturesque Crowne Plaza. 

On offer will be an extensive array of fine wine, food, beer and cider. Try this true Hunter Valley experience that encases the best the region has to offer.

Stay over, safe in the knowledge you can retire to your room whenever you are ready.

And why wouldn’t you stay the night when The Crowne Plaza has an accommodation option to suit any situation including Resort Villas, Resort Suites and Deluxe rooms.

In the morning wake up to the hearty buffet breakfast, renowned as one of the best in the region in Crowne Plaza’s Redsalt restaurant. 

With a fresh juice station, a range of hot and cold dishes, eggs made to order by a skilled chef and delicious gluten-free options, you can set yourself up for the whole day.

Just when you think you’ve seen everything the Hunter has to offer, take to the skies for one last look at the region from a different angle. Sometimes a shift in perspective is all you need to reinvigorate yourself and start seeing the world in a whole new way.

It’s worth getting out of bed early for one day of your stay to see the sun rise above the picturesque lush green trees, vineyards and ranges.

This is certainly one to add to the bucket list. Beyond Ballooning can show you sunrise as you have never seen it before.

Why not go for a VIP package. Beyond Ballooning VIP balloon flights for two are perfect for proposals, anniversaries and special occasions or just to treat yourselves. 

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Hunter Valley on an hour long balloon flight with champagne and chocolates in-flight and a complimentary digital photo package. 

Make sure you book the gourmet champagne buffet breakfast at the award winning Redsalt Restaurant Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley at the conclusion of your flight – the only appropriate complement to breathtaking views of the Hunter.

Take in the beauty of a cultural kind at the Morpeth Gallery. 

The gallery specialises in selling only traditional Australian art – landscapes, seascapes and wildlife by many of our most renowned artists. 

Having expanded several times in its 26 year history, the gallery now has a landscape/still life wing and a wildlife wing each with 300 original paintings on display at any given time.  

This wonderful regional gallery has plenty of exhibitions set for 2018. 

On June 1 to 3 the gallery has the World Wildlife art exhibition. 

Legends of the Past and Present Art Exhibition will run from July 12 to 15 while August 18 to 19 sees the Robyn Collier Boo signing and Art Exhibition.

With winter and autumn beckoning, now’s the time to get familiar with the Hunter Valley as, like its Shiraz, it’s best enjoyed in the cooler months.

With its fine wine, gourmet restaurants, boutique beer, chocolate, cheese, olives, and luxury accommodation, the Hunter Valley is sheer decadence in a destination. 

This article is sponsored by Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley