Getting there

Planes

Sydney Airport | the major hub for Qantas | is the main gateway to the Hunter Valley | although you can take a chartered flight to Cessnock Airport in the valley itself | and Newcastle’s little airport is connected to Sydney | Melbourne and Brisbane by smaller flights QantasLink | Jetstar and Virgin Blue.

Trains

CityRail services link Newcastle with the smaller towns of the lower Hunter, and CountryLink rail routes weave through the valley between Sydney and Brisbane, stopping at Newcastle, Maitland, Singleton, Dungog, Gloucester, Muswellbrook, Scone and Murrurundi.

Automobiles

The Hunter Valley’s an easy two-hour drive from central Sydney up the F3 | and a car is invaluable when you’re exploring the region or touring its vineyards. There are Thrifty branches (www.thrifty.com.au) in several towns | including Muswellbrook | Scone | Singleton and Maitland.