Things to do in the area
Peppers Guest House

With over 100 wineries, the Hunter Valley is one of Australia's great wine producing regions. Friendly hosts await you at cellar doors of renowned vineyards and offer great winery tours and wine tastings. Guests can also enjoy activities including hot air ballooning, golf, bushwalks, horse riding, 4WD tours and cheese tasting at the Hunter Valley Cheese Company.

Visit www.winecountry.com.au to discover additional things to do in the Hunter Valley region.

Golf

The Hunter Valley offers some of Australia's best golf courses. The Vintage golf course is a truly spectacular 18-hole course designed by Greg Norman. The course stretches out across the Hunter Valley countryside providing not only a great golfing experience but also wonderful views.  The Vintage golf course has been created specifically to complement the area's unique natural environment. The course gently winds around undisturbed wetlands, water carries, eucalypts and the Bimbadgen vineyards.  Step onto the impressive practice range to warm up before a round or improve your technique with lessons from qualified instructors.

18 holes: $110 (weekend) and $85 (midweek) including electric golf cart
9 holes: $75 (weekend) and $55 (midweek) including electric golf cart
Golf club hire: 18 holes - $55 and 9 holes - $30. All club hire includes a sleeve of golf balls.

For further details please contact Peppers Guest House reception or call The Vintage Golf Club on (02) 4998 6789 or visit www.thevintage.com.au

Winery tours and wine tastings

With over 100 wineries, the Hunter Valley is one of Australia's premier wine growing regions offering guests an opportunity to visit quaint, boutique wineries such as Audrey Wilkinson Vineyards, Ivanhoe Wines and Vinden Estate Wines or taste the wide selection made by some of Australia's largest wine producers such as Lindmans, McGuigan Cellars, Pepper Tree Wines and Hope Estate.

We are happy to supply you with maps of the local area so you can tour the wineries by yourself. Alternatively we can contact one of our local tour companies on your behalf to organise a tour and private wine tasting for you.

Click here to view our guide to Hunter Valley wine experiences.

Gourmet tours

Head out to discover gourmet beauty of the Hunter Valley with ‘Two Fat Blokes Gourmet Tours’. Light hearted in name, deep routed in heart of the Hunter, you’ll enjoy an exquisite day of food and wine, hosted by Jam Molenaar (publisher of ‘Dining Out Amongst the Vines’, ‘Cellar Doors and more’ magazines and ‘Flavours of the Hunter’ cookbook) and Peter Firth (Sir Lunchalot), a Pokolbin resident for 25 years.

Hunter Valley Wine School

Commencing every day at 9am, this unique experience will give you an insight into the winemaking process of some of the best 'drops' in the region, from the vine to the bottle!  From just $33 per person, your experience includes a guided tour through the vineyard and its 30-year-old Shiraz vines, tour of the largest and most advanced wineries in the Hunter and a private wine appreciation tutorial with an experienced cellarmaster.

For more information please contact us on 02 4993 8999 or email guesthouse@peppers.com.au

Vineyard Shuttle Service

Frank Lovett and his team will transport you through the vineyards and surroundings in air-conditioned comfort. They can also offer Horse and Carriage tours for that special something.
Full day coach tour - $45 per person. Half day coach tour - $39 per person.  
Full day horse & carriage tour with lunch - $76 per person.

For bookings call 02 4998 7779 or visit www.vineyardshuttle.com.au

Hunter Valley Cheese Company

While on a wine tasting tour, stop off at one of Australia's finest handmade cheese factories. The maturation rooms are open daily enabling you to inspect the production process. A fine array of cheeses are available for sampling and purchase.

Picnic in the Hunter

Chez Pok will welcome the opportunity to pack you a gourmet picnic hamper before you set off to explore the country side. Your destination will be all the more enjoyable with one of these delightful baskets of delicacies. Please request your hamper the night prior.

Hunter Valley Gardens

Families will be delighted by a visit to Hunter Valley Gardens, particularly the storybook garden. The gardens are set over 35 hectares of land.

Opera in the Vineyards

Opera in the Vineyards is held every October at Wyndham Estate, and has established itself as one of the premier regional events in Australia. Opera Australia coordinates the music side of the event and the quality of entertainers is world class.

Hot Air Ballooning

See the vineyards from above! Balloon Aloft operates sunrise flights featuring spectacular 'bird's-eye-views' of the wineries and the surrounding region followed by a champagne celebration.  Flights run for 45 minutes to 1 hour and cost $320 per person.

Please ask Peppers Guest House reception for further details or contact Balloon Aloft on 1800 028 568 or visit www.balloonaloft.com

Wine Country Skydiving

For the ultimate adrenalin pumping activity, try skydiving from 14,000 feet above the Hunter Valley. Landing at either Hope Estate in Pokolbin, just five minutes drive from Peppers Guest House and Peppers Convent, or a private airfield 20 minutes north, you’ll experience breathtaking aerial views of the Hunter Wine Country.

For more information visit www.justjumpskydive.com.au

Indulge in Great Coffee

Experience one of the Hunter’s finest coffees at Bliss coffee. As specialty coffee roasters, Bliss Coffee also offers handmade gelato, coffee and tea related gifts, delicious cakes and savoury treats, fresh roasted coffee beans and loose leaf teas.

Helicopter Flights

Imagine being picked from Peppers Guest House in your own private helicopter and being flown to the restaurant of your choice in the Pokolbin Lovedale area. Upon finishing lunch you than embark on a 15 minute scenic flight over the stunning Hunter Valley before returning to Peppers.

With Slattery Helicopter Charters you can enjoy this Hunter Valley experience for $450 in a R44 helicopter with your own private pilot. The package includes all transfers, pickups, scenic flight and can carry 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 young children. From $600 you can also choose to visit a winery of your choice and enjoy a private tasting.

For larger groups two helicopters or a larger model can be used on enquiry. Packages can also be tailored to include transfers from Newcastle, Central Coast and Sydney.

• Newcastle to Peppers Return  $660  for up to 3 passengers
• Central Coast to Peppers  Return $960 for up to 3 passengers
• Sydney to Peppers Return $1920 for up to 3 passengers including landing fees at either Sydney Mascot or Parramatta Heliport.

*Please note above pricing is for the Helicopter and not an individual price per person. For more information visit www.slatteryhelicoptercharter.com.au 

Hunter Valley Horse Riding and Adventures

Spectacular views, sunset and trail rides for the beginner to the experienced rider. You can choose from personalised rides, pony rides, half day rides and winery rides. Visit www.huntervalleyhorseriding.com.au

Horse & Carriage Rides

Visit the local wineries or experience an exhilarating cross country run in a delightful carriage. This unique activity is sure to enhance your Hunter Valley experience and is available for up to 16 passengers.  Ask Peppers Guest House reception for further details or call Hunter Valley Wine and Dine Carriage on  0410 515 358.

Vineyard Shuttle Service & Hunter Valley Classic Carriages

Explore the wonders of the Hunter Valley in style with Vineyard Shuttle Service & Hunter Valley Classic Carriages. Whether it’s a winery tour, restaurant transfer, golf transfer or exclusive VIP service for two or more they have the perfect transfer style for you. Visit www.vineyardshuttle.com.au

Mountain Biking

Experience the great outdoors on a mountain bike through the beautiful Hunter Valley countryside. There are plenty of opportunities for the experienced fit biker as well as the more leisurely rider. Mountain bike hire is available.

Full day - $33 per person per day.
Half day (4 hours) - $28 per person per day.

For more information please contact us on 02 4993 8999 or email guesthouse@peppers.com.au

Shopping in the Hunter Valley

Spoil yourself with a relaxed afternoon of shopping in the gorgeous Hunter Valley. D’Vine in the Hunter located at Pokolbin Village is your destination for all jewellery, clothing and accessories while Lovedale Village Lingerie & Fashion Collection is your stop for sleepwear, jeans, jackets, vests, socks, scarves, gorgeous underwear and maternity and newborn clothing. Visit www.huntervalleylingerie.com.au

For that unique Hunter Valley gift apart from wine and cheese, Gorgeous Gifts offers a wonderful range of amazing and unique pieces from around the world including gemstones, beading and freshwater pearls, minerals, fossils and crystals.

Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop

Sample the most impressive selection of delicatessen products offering the finest produce from Australia and overseas. As the name suggests you will find Roquefort from France, Gruyere from Switzerland, Gouda from Holland and Red Leicester from England. There is also a huge range of Australian favourites to tempt your tastebuds. Visit www.huntervalleysmellycheeseshop.com.au

One stop shop for all your needs

At the Pokolbin Convenience store you will find a genuine general store servicing the Pokolbin area with everything you might need while visiting the country including:

• Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy products, frozen foods and confectionary, fresh baked bread onsite daily and pastries
• Health, beauty, toiletries and personal care
• Digital photo processing, mobile phone recharge, cards, magazines and daily newspaper

Newcastle and Hunter Region Laser Skirmish

Battlezone Playlive is a simulated combat adventure game. There are no projectiles, no mess and no pain or bruising! 

Choose from two unique venues - the old Maitland Gaol for the URBAN battlefield offers afternoon and evening sessions OR the new WOODLANDS site, the Salt Ash Weapons Range for our daytime adventures.

Battlezone Playlive is also available to cater for bucks and hens parties, social and sporting groups, product launches and company functions.

Call to Book 1300 661 565
E-mail: info@battlezoneplaylive.com.au Website: www.battlezoneplaylive.com.au

Download the Newcastle and Hunter Region Laser Skirmish (pdf)