NSW Central Coast

NSW Central Coast (PDF Chapter) Edition 18th Edition, Nov 2015 Pages 16 COVERAGE INCLUDES: Page Range 143–156 • Central Coast • Australian Reptile Useful Links Park Want more guides? • Brisbane Water Head to our shop National Park Trouble with your PDF? • Newcastle Trouble shoot here • Hunter Valley Need more help? Head to our FAQs Stay in touch Contact us here

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NSW Central Coast

Includes  Why Go? Central Coast. . . . 145 After limping through the traffic of Sydney’s northern sub- Newcastle ...... 146 urbs it would be forgivable to make a break for the freeway Hunter Valley. . . . .151 as soon as it begins. Truth be told, much of the heavily pop- ulated Central Coast is a family-orientated suburbia-on-sea. But if you only have a couple of days to escape the big smoke, you will find some delightful diversions along this 100km stretch of coast. There are golden surf beaches, hid- Best Places to Eat den hamlets and languid inland lakes, the largest of which, ¨¨Pearls on the Beach (p145) Lake Macquarie, covers four times the area of Sydney Har- bour. And what it lacks in culture and gourmet goodies can ¨¨Edwards (p150) be found in rollicking Newcastle and the hedonistic wine ¨¨Subo (p150) country of the Hunter Valley. ¨¨Muse Kitchen (p155)

Best Places to Stay ¨¨Longhouse (p155) ¨¨Thistle Hill (p154) When to Go ¨¨Junction Hotel (p149) Newcastle °C/°F Te mp Rainfall inches/mm 40/104 8/200

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Information 8 02-4342 4400; 02-4342 02-4341 1171; 02-4341 02-4384 9111, 1800 007 697; 1800 007 9111, 02-4384 02-4384 1423; 02-4384 The Cregan family have been serving The Cregan family have takeaway 11am-4pm Sun-Wed, to 7pm to Sun-Wed, 11am-4pm takeaway ourmaline Ave, Pearl Beach; Pearl ourmaline Ave, % % % % 1966; Marine Pde; 1.30pm Sat) Sat) 1.30pm Centre Visitor Macquarie Lake Pacific 228 www.visitlakemac.com.au; 0740; Hwy, Swansea; Sat & Sun) Centre Visitor Entrance The on the Beach Pearls ( 1 T 6-10pm & 2.30pm right on the sand whitewashed cottage place to share Beach is an idyllic Pearl at this highly rated dishes at simple, flavourful room for the very tempting Save restaurant. dessert menu. 8 Centre Visitor Coast Central The 52 4444; www.visitcentralcoast.com.au; Kariong; Avenue, 3.30pm Sat & Sun) Centre Visitor Gosford 200 Mann St; Terrigal’s tourist trade, this monolith has this monolith tourist trade, Terrigal’s views thegreat some plush rooms with over beach. There a couple of restaurants, are a gym,fluctuate Rates a sauna, too. a spa and with season and availability. radically Wharf Fishermen’s Woy Woy ( com.au; h late to Sun-Wed, noon-3pm restaurant S and chips since 1974. their outstanding fish the pelicans who in the park (like Munch their a table at 3pm), or take are fed daily at smart the which dangles out over restaurant water. boutique motel in a quietboutique motel street on the slopes and com has clean, modern Terrigal above fortablethe upstairs rooms; ontoopen ones Adults only. bush-shaded terrace. a little Terrigal Plaza Crowne ( com.au; Forest at this high-thrills adventure park adventure high-thrills this at Forest courses challenging 100 over features which roller-coaster longest the world’s including zip line. 4 Tiarri ( T arri Cres,

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adult/child $33/17; adult/child Avoca

Lake Macquarie Lake 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, to 4.30pm Sat & Sun Sat 4.30pm to 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, Pearl Beach Pearl ed Hill R Bordering the Hawkesbury River Bordering the Hawkesbury h 1 R

Sights . Relaxed . Relaxed 02-4025 1008; 02-4025 02-4320 4200; 02-4320 02-4320 4200; 02-4320 02-4340 1022; 02-4340 % % % % com.au; $45/35; 9am-6pm Sep-Apr, through the canopy of the Ourimbah State Beach site has drinkable water and flushBeach site has drinkable water toilets. Park Adventure TreeTop ( whale migration between June and Novem and June between whale migration people There are camp sites (per two ber. Beach and Putty Beach, Little $20 to $28) at Beach; book ahead. Only the Putty Tallow ( bouddi-national-park; tacular park where short lead trails walking lookouts beaches and dramatic to isolated can experiencefrom where you the annual village of village of the park. edge National Park Bouddi its spring wild flowers and rambling cycling rambling and its spring wild flowers The trails. walking and Bulgandry Aborigi of 3km south Site is situated nal Engraving Rd. A fa Woy Coast Hwy on Woy the Central retreatvourite for Sydneysiders is the pretty brisbane-water-national-park; picnic Falls & Somersby at Girrakool access vehicle $7) areas Gosford,of southwest forknown is park this tortoise There being fed. are wonderful tours for kids. Park National Water Brisbane ( Hwy, Somersby; Hwy, Get and pythons, watch koalas up close to the (for spiders being milked funnel-web productiona Galapagos and of antivenin) 1 Park Reptile Australian ( spots to refuel. A series of saltwater ‘lakes’spots to refuel. of saltwater A series spreads norththe coast Bateau up between including the deep, plac and Newcastle, Bay of id waters is the transportis services and of hub ford while an old cinema, surf, beach with good tiful crescent-shaped a bustling of top centre and a variety town You can choose to head straight up the M1 up the straight to head can choose You (via Newcastle to freeway Motorway Pacific Coast exits)Central or meandervarious the coast.along CENTRAL COAST

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www.fortscratchley.com.au; 10am-5pm 10am-5pm www.nag.org.au;

www.newcastlemuseum.com.au;

ue-Sun) , a pedestrian has tunnel which tours adult/child $15/7.50; adult/child tours

d; Honeysuckle Precinct Newcastle East Newcastle Fort Scratchley Scratchley Fort 02-4974 5033; 02-4974 02-4974 5100; 02-4974 02-4974 1400; 02-4974 10am-5pm T 10am-5pm % % % 1 Museum Newcastle ( Way; 6 Workshop museum in the restoredThis attractive tells a tale of workshops rail Honeysuckle ‘Aquarium’ art into a pop been transformed underwater Dixon. by local artistworld Trevor during its construction. The walk along the spit towards the lighthouse and meteorolog is exhilarating.ical station Way Bathers (www.visitnewcastle.com.au/pages/bathers-way) Beach Thisfrom Nobby’s scenic coastal path to Glenrock Reserve of winds past swathes historical sites includ beach and fascinating Convict and the Scratchley Lumber ing Fort Indig signs describing Interpretative Yard. history convictenous, and natural thedot Look5km trail. out for the Nobbys R Nobbys 2.30pm) tour last Wed-Mon, 4pm this fascinating Harbour, Newcastle above militaryconstructedwas site theduring to protect against a the city Crimean War During WWII the invasion. feared Russian submarine, fort returned on a Japanese fire fort Australian only the it making have to Learn all in a maritime attack. engaged of the fortabout it on a guided tour and its labyrinth of underground tunnels. Head Nobby’s theOriginally an island, this headland at harbour was joined to Newcastle’s entrance built to the mainland by a stone breakwater of 1818 and 1846; many by convicts between lost to the wild seasthose poor souls were preservedleatherthe where cell, padded horsehair. with stuffed walls are Art GalleryNewcastle ( h talist exterior remarkable as inside this regional gallery than 5000 won are more derful art highlights include works; by John William Dobell and Newcastle-born Whiteley and mod as Brett Olsen as well Smith. Cossington ernist Grace 1 o (

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These artists days in residence, rather Sights City Centre Getting There & 8 many years the port Newcastle of years city many 52 Church 52 osford is a stop on the Newcastle & Central 02-4332 8655; www.redbus.com.au). 02-4332

02-4925 2265; 02-4925 02-4929 2052; 02-4929

Newcastle may be one-tenth the size of may Newcastle Local buses connecting the various towns towns various the connecting buses Local G ¨ ¨ % % % POP 546,788 POP and creepy jail-house relics like the well- relics like and creepy jail-house mer police station (1861). There’s a dynamic a (1861). There’s mer police station contemporary art artists program, studios F in this for than prisoners, are incarcerated ( St; Hunter Jones and William Morris. Jones Up Lock an insight into special features such as thean insight into special features stained-glassEdward Burne- window by donated by locals who lost loved ones in by locals who lost loved donated WWI. The offers self-guided tour brochure gold chalice and remembrance book setbook remembrance and chalice gold with precious stones, from jewellery made au; Anglican cathedral Newcastle’s skyline, city a treasures like with (built 1892) is filled Cathedral Church Christ ( 1 1 two of your time. of your two And did we mention the laid-back attitude? attitude? mention the laid-back And did we or is definitely worth Newcastle a day Yes, sun-drenched climate are only part are sun-drenched climate of the charms. There dining, is fine hip bars, city’s artsand a diverse boutiques, scene. quirky is punching well above its weight. Superbweight. its above is punching well surf beaches, historical architecture a and Sydney, but Australia’s second-oldest city but Australia’s Sydney, a long while, and now Newcastle’s time has time a long while, and now Newcastle’s come. finally cultural, the gastronomical and the creative rise for been on the ly entrepreneurial have has been on the brink of big things. Coal,has been on the brink but the its lifeblood steel and timber were For Newcastle 4368 2277; www.busways.com.au) and ( ¨ and beaches are operated by abyne within Brisbane Water National Park Park National Water Brisbane within abyne only). carriage (rear request upon and Newcastle (both adults $8.10, children $4.05, hours). 1½ T 8 ¨ Sydney from trains frequent with line, Coast

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% % strap away from the surf, there’s complimen from the surf, there’s away strap tary bodyboard use, surfboard hire, plus sev free pub meals each week. eral Park Holiday Beach Stockton ( St; and this annual celebration of all things craftand this annual celebration around New events in venues beer features and Lake Macquarie. castle, Maitland Art Festival This is Not (TiNA; Oct) and new for emerging and es media festival tablished writers, artists and music makers. 4 YHA Beach Newcastle ( dm/s/d mansion but this English look of a grand YHA has the ambience ofheritage-listed a bikini Just a laid-back beach bungalow. Walking & Cycling & Walking The of brochureshas plenty visitor centre tours of theoutlining self-guided themed These include the city. the heads past colonial highlights in the city centre. The outlines a short stroll down and around some of the inner city’s St, covering Hunter interesting architecture. z Craft Week Beer (www.newcastlecraftbeerweek.com; an active local www.wetlands.org.au;

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residents. To get here, take the Pacific Hwy towards Maitland and turn Maitland and towards Hwy the Pacific take here, get To residents. , further south. ue-Sun) NATURE RESERVES deco architecture. There’s deco architecture. There’s Mere www.maritimecentrenewcastle.

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10am-4pm T 10am-4pm adult/child $5/2; adult/child Lee Wharf, 3 Honeysuckle Dr; 3 Honeysuckle Wharf, Lee , just north – the fast of the baths

adore Extensive walking and bike trails criss-cross the site, or you can hire a canoe ($10 for for ($10 a canoe hire can or you the site, criss-cross trails and bike walking Extensive Activities 02-4929 2588; 02-4929 The city’s famous surfing festival, The city’s South of Newcastle Beach, below King Beach, South of Newcastle bushland with plenty of walking trails and picnic areas, this council-run reserve has en reserve this council-run and picnic areas, trails walking of bushland with plenty native of chorus a cacophonic and wombats wallabies, koalas, critters: native of closures station. train Kotara from a short walk It’s birds. two hours) and paddle along picturesque Ironbank Creek. The popular Segway tours are are tours popular Segway The Creek. Ironbank along picturesque and paddle hours) two the animals. view quietly to a fun way also Blackbutt Reserve reserve; 200 species of birds, including magpie geese, freckled ducks and egrets, and a huge and a huge egrets, and ducks freckled magpie geese, including birds, of species 200 animal of diversity minutes). (10 and walk Sandgate to the train or catch at the cemetery, left NEWCASTLE Centre Wetlands Hunter land; over to is home centre swampy this sanctuary, conservation a magnificent fields into % place in February each year. place in February Merewether Beach Merewether (www.surfest.com; bath, the convict-carvedthe bath, about when the place to splash atmospheric surf’s The its edge. over most pop crashing ular surfing breaks are at left-hander known as the Wedge is at itsis at left-hander Wedge known as the northern end. oldest ocean is Australia’s Edward Park, multicoloured art a shallow pool for toddlers and a backdrop ocean and chugging ships. cargo of heaving Surfers it to should goofy-foot Beach irrationally paranoid about sharks, the paranoid irrationally baths ocean winter) 6am-4.30pm 9pm summer, encased in wonderfulmellow alternative, 2 Surfing & Swimming At the east end of town, surfers and swim mers org.au; $10/5; visitor centre. the is on show at tical heritage engaging. If you’re travelling with kids check with travelling engaging. If you’re the hands-on science centre. out Supernova, Maritime Centre ( the city from its Indigenous Awabakal ori Awabakal from its Indigenous the city social history, gins to its rough-and-tumble shaped by a cast of convicts, coal miners and are interactive Exhibitions andsteelworkers.

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ú û þ Scottie’s Fish Cafe Fish Cafe Scottie’s ( St; Scott & Sun) 9pm Sat trees laced with colourful festoon lighting on the classic in for a classy take and settle and chippery. fish 196 Hunter St; Hunter 196 reason, you’llfor a popular ually probably to queue for an excellent or espresso have their know who served staff by coffee filter about the toasties Devoteesalso rave stuff. and fabulous breakfast platters. Bar Pizza Napoli Centrale ( King St; pizza and pastaunderstated joint is the new pizza. wood-fired hotspot for locals craving The sparsely topped, crisply based pies are so authentic they imported feature Neapolitan Bookings tomatoes. flour and San Marzano a take grab can are essential, or you the beach. on from the window and eat a small gym. and breakfast Accommodation are free for kids under 16. 5 streets the main eat Darby and Beaumont are and the waterfront. The Market ers com.au; Wed) 2.30-9pm 1pm Sun, Black Espresso Penny One (

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% % 5pm Thu-Fri) department store are boutiques Jones David of lo trove with a treasure and galleries filled cally made art, fashion, furniture and design. Markets Tree Olive (www.theolivetreemarket.com.au; Hotel Cambridge (www.yourcambridge.com; launched Silverchair, that favourite packer most famous cultural export, Newcastle’s touring bandsand continues to showcase and local acts. 7 culturalbeen renaissance has The city’s partin fuelled the by initiative down Wander out some of the boutiques and studios revi talising Newcastle. Emporium Reserve Wine Wine Bar Reserve ( in a this bar emporium’, itself a ‘grape Calling wines in 350 different bank has over former Newcastle’s from drop a many with vault, the tipple Enjoy your backyard. Valley Hunter menu. the decadent grazing with a bite from Store Grain ( au; Sun) this rusticbrew factory, beer Tooheys old eryrefreshto place atmospheric an is cafe with one of the 21 eclectic brewed Australian craft on tap. beers castle Airport.castle Hospital Hunter John health.nsw.gov. Heights) Has 24-hour emergency care. Centre Information Visitor 3 Wharf, Lee www.visitnewcastle.com.au; Honeysuckle Dr; um/; the month) of Sat 3pm 1st rary 120 stalls handmade market with over run by an eclectic mix of local artists and designers. 8 As well as at the public libraries, you can access free wi-fi in Hunter Street Mall, the Honeysuckle Precinct, Hamilton’s Beaumont St and New (renewnewcastle.org/projects/project/the-empori er St; ------R $$

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Pull up a stool at the longthe stool up a at Pull mains cafe $15-20, bar $19, restaurant restaurant $19, bar $15-20, mains cafe mains breakfast $18-21, lunch $20-36, lunch $20-36, $18-21, mains breakfast

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% % % % soundtrack. Now the secret is out, you’ll find Newcastle’s the secret is out, you’llNow Newcastle’s find drinking potent whiskies to a bluesfinest speakeasy; in the early days it was so under in the early days speakeasy; ground they didn’t even publish the address. late late bar in this wooden o (coalandcedar.com; 6 plane trees outside and a main dining space the Dishes make opens to the elements. that most of fresh local produce. mery feel to this modern French fine-dining mery feel to this modern French with tables placed under therestaurant, dinner $35-42; Sat; 6pm-late & 8am-3pm ( St; Hunter Mason Restaurant exquisite food with a contemporary French exquisite food with a contemporary French influence. The serves exclusively restaurant seasonally. changes menu that a five-course advance for a table at tiny Subo, an innova tiny for a table at advance serving highly lauded restaurant tive, light, ( St; o still throw your dirtystill clothes in the coin throw your laundry). Joannou, this fabulous industrial fabulous this used space Joannou, dryto be a drive-through can cleaners (you licious egg from the breakfasts, share plates snacks. bar and late-night oven wood-fired would be found at this happening bar-cafe- this happening be found at would all hours for de the place to be at It’s diner. ry St; ry Sun) o ( floor-to-ceiling windows, nails surf nails windows, floor-to-ceiling turfand dining prices. fine at day there’s $10 pizza and gelato, or head toor head gelato, $10 pizza and there’s day with its where the restaurant, the top floor table complex. The swanky promenade cafepromenade complex.table The swanky and lazy breakfasts. Later in the coffee offers actionfrom one of Beach on Merewether architecturally spaces in this no the many $35; Sun) 4pm to Wed-Sat, 11.30am-late ( Pde; derson Surfhouse Merewether

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ardens buses ea G old Coast and 02-4982 osford ($8.10, 1½ 13 34 10; www.pre 13 17 13; www.rex. % % ( % ( 02-4928 9800; www. aree ($35, four hours). ex; % 02-4990 1699; www.rover R ( 13 15 00; www.sydneytrains. ( % 13 13 13; www.qantas.com.au) www.qantas.com.au) 13; 13 13 ( % 1300 473 946; www.greyhound. egular buses to Anna Bay (1¼ ( % 02-4983 1560; www.busways. % ( 13 15 38; www.jetstar.com.au) ( % 13 67 89; www.virginaustralia.com) www.virginaustralia.com) 89; 13 67 wo daily coaches to/from Sydney Sydney to/from coaches daily wo ( % % ( ( Getting Around Getting Getting There & Away 8 8 Port Stephens Coaches has frequent A taxi to Newcastle city centre costs about $60. ¨ ¨ TO/FROM THE AIRPORT THE TO/FROM TRAIN BUS AIR hours), Coffs Harbour ($58, six hours), Byron Bay ($71, 11 hours) and Brisbane ($76, 14½ hours). Coaches Rover hours) and Fingal Bay (two hours). Service Motor Premier Sydney to/from coaches Daily mierms.com.au) ($34, three hours), Port Macquarie 3¾ ($47, ($157, 14½($157, hours). Port Stephens Coaches adult/child 2940; www.pscoaches.com.au; $4.60/2.30) R hours), Nelson Bay (1½ hours), Shoal Bay (1½ Greyhound T com.au) ($31, 2¾ hours), Port Macquarie ($56, 4¾ hours), Coffs Harbour ($78, seven hours), Byron Bay 11½ ($127, hours) and Brisbane com.au) least At two buses daily to T ($20.10, hours), 1½ Hawks Nest ($20.50, 1¾ hours), Bluey’s Beach ($28, two hours), Forster ($32, 3¼ hours) and T Nearly all long-distance buses stop behind New behind stop buses long-distance all Nearly station. castle train Busways Regional ExpressRegional Ballina. and Sydney to/from Flies com.au) Virgin Melbourne. and Brisbane to/from Flies Jetstar Flies to/from Melbourne, the G Brisbane. QantasLink Brisbane. to/from Flies newcastleairport.com.au) At Williamtown, Williamtown, At newcastleairport.com.au) 23km north of the city. stopping at the airport en routebetween Newcastle ($4.60, 40 minutes) and Nelson Bay ($4.60, one hour). ¨ 8 ¨ info) hasinfo) regular services to G hours) and Sydney ($8.10, three hours). A line also heads to the Hunter Valley; Branxton ($6.30, 50 minutes) is the closest stop to wine country. ($4.70, hours) 1¼ on weekdays and two on service. Sunday no Saturday; Sydney Trains coaches.com.au) Four buses to/from Cessnock to/from buses Four coaches.com.au) Newcastle Airport 8

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6.30-10pm Wed-Fri, noon-3pm & 6.30-10pm & 6.30-10pm noon-3pm Wed-Fri, 6.30-10pm noon-3pm & 6-9.30pm Fri & Sat, 9-10.30am & 9-10.30am & Sat, Fri & 6-9.30pm noon-3pm ds, Pokolbin; ds, % % % % crafted creamy softcraftedcheeses from a stylish creamy cheese log, and labne shopfront. The goat’s fetamarinated are particularly moreish. Shop Smelly Cheese Valley Hunter (www.smellycheese.net.au; R Broke 2144 ery, Margan ( R Milbrodale menus $65/80/100; tasting 3-/4-/5-course $38, h Sun) noon-3pm this rammed-earthof dishes at restaurant where much of the produce is sourced from the kitchen garden; the rest comes from local providores whenever possible. Views stretch Range. across the vines to the Brokenback Providores Binnorie Dairy ( Pokolbin; Lane, toe Sun) ( R Broke h Sat, wineryHill Hungerford complex is the ar sensa offering restaurant, highest rated ea’s tional contemporary fare and stellar service. cours get their own menu (two Vegetarians es $60, three for $80). Molines Bistro ( View Mt & Sat) Fri 7-9pm Thu-Mon, has a restaurant this French winery, Grove carefully menu crafted, seasonally driven as the vineyard is nearly as impressive that views. the road. Save room for the exquisite the for room des Save road. the sert selection the tasting and wine at Tulloch au; $5; Enzo (www.enzohuntervalley.com.au; R 30; to en in the garden in summer in winter or joy the rustic served dishes popular this at visitItalian-inflected cafe. Combine your Hook David neighbouring with a tasting at Wines. Restaurant Muse

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www.thelonghouse.net.au; www.splinters.com.au;

555 Hermitage R 555 Hermitage

d, Pokolbin; d, d, Pokolbin; d, Gregarious owner Bobby Jory runsowner Bobby Jory Gregarious ) . Eating mains $30-36; For a fabulous lunch, head to this re For Kitchen Muse Longhouse

02-4998 7899; 02-4998 02-6574 7229; 02-6574 02-6574 7118; 02-6574 0402 101 551; 101 0402 Surrounded by bushland these 12 luxury ulloch Winery, cnr Hermitage & Deasys R & Deasys cnr Hermitage Winery, ulloch % % % % Sat) top res of the Hunter’s incarnation laxed Dine outside on a seasonal Muse. taurant, menu of European bistro food inspired by the vegetables, fruits and herbs grown up o ( T bin; Many Hunter restaurants don’t open mid restaurants Hunter Many visit. worth planning a weekend so it’s week, wineries have Bookings are essential. Many on-site restaurants. $65, 3 courses $79; 3 courses $65, & Sun) 5 in the winter. Unwind at the day spa or in the day at Unwind in the winter. the pool before the top-notch a meal at Botanica taurant retreats.com; S king-size beds, complimenta spa suites have openwith areas lounge cosy and ryminibar, a perfectfireplace; spot for sipping shiraz community aid projects.community Estate Vineyards Spicers ( R Hermitage timber, it is divided into three two-bed it is divided into three two-bed timber, apartments with an incredible 48m deck. knowing that outlay about your good Feel towards architectural go 100% of the profits More than 50 architecture students de More pad, based on a tradi signed this stylish from shed. Made wool tional Australian concrete, reclaimed iron and corrugated Palmers Lane, Pokolbin; Lane, Palmers and two rustic self-catering cottages. rusticself-catering and two o ( guests with treats such as gourmetguests break with treats fasts, port and in rooms, and chocolates There terrace. wine and cheese on the are three smart with comfortable doubles beds, House Guest Splinters ( R mitage aWs elan, spoiling with great B&B this tranquil on-site. Theon-site. entry levelare only a rooms stepsmall motel accommodation, up from value. good but offer sunny decks overlooking a shiraz vineyard. shiraz a overlooking decks sunny northern restaurant a good Italian There’s - - - he -

9am- h Grape 02-4993 02-4993 d, Pokolbin; hire % ( ffers a door-to-door door-to-door a ffers Hunter Valley Cy 02-4991 3655; www. 02-4990 1699; www. % ue-Sat) O ue-Sat) ther buses head to Cessnock ( % ) hires bikes, as do Around ( 154 10am-6pm) and 02-4998 7660; www.grapemobile. 7660; 02-4998 0418 281 480; www.huntervalley h rains has a line heading through the % ( % ( Getting Information Getting There & Away 8 8 8 6pm-midnight T 6pm-midnight xploring withoutcar a can be challenging. T TRAIN BUS Vineyard ShuttleVineyard $15; person per vineyardshuttle.com.au; h and accommodation Pokolbin between service restaurants. minutes, frequent). minutes, Sydney T Hunter Valley from Newcastle ($6.30, 50 min utes). Branxton is the closest station to the ser bus has Maitland only although vineyards, vices to Cessnock. 8 E YHA hostel (p mobile com.au; 307 Palmers Lane, Pokolbin;hire per 8hr $35; cling cycling.com.au; 266 DeBeyers R per 1/2 days $35/45). 8 Centre Visitor Valley Hunter www.huntervalleyvisitorcentre.com. 6700; au; 455 Wine Country Polkolbin; Dr, 5pm Mon-Sat, to 4pm Has Sun) a huge stock accommodation, valley on info and leaflets of attractions dining. and 8 Coaches Rover heading buses four Has rovercoaches.com.au) between Newcastle and Cessnock ($4.70, 1¼ hours) on weekdays and two on Saturday; no Sunday service. O from the train stations at Morisset ($4.70, one hour, two daily) and Maitland ($4.70, 50

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10am-5pm) d, Pokolbin; d, www.thegoldfish.com.au; lombi; Tavern Wollombi (www.wollombitavern.com.au; A courtesy home on a Sat bus can run you night. urday All wined out? Try a classic cocktail on the All wined out? Try of this popular bar. or in the lounge balcony Hunter Valley Chocolate Valley Hunter Company purchase. daily 11am and 3pm cheese talk. There’s a talk. There’s daily 11am and 3pm cheese for available bewildering of styles variety Staff will chew co ear about cheesy your Staff long,mestibles all day the especially during for motorbike clubs (the nonscaryfor motorbike sort). gerous brew port,of gerous Onwine. and brandy pit stop favourite is a the tavern weekends, the home of Dr Jurd’s Jungle Juice, a dan Juice, Jungle the home of Dr Jurd’s

( R & McDonalds Broke 6 & Kitchen Goldfish Bar in the Hunter. and other treats. Next door is Peterson door is Peterson Next and other treats. wine – the only producer of sparkling House (www.hvchocolate.com.au; R fudge truffles, made chocolate, of locally ray Company (www.huntervalleycheese.com.au; R McDonalds 447 ery, Hunter Valley Cheese Valley Hunter as well as a freezer of superb gelati. There’s There’s superb gelati. a freezer of as as well Village. Pokolbin at branch another bles filling the cheese room, there are deli room, there the cheese bles filling go, to and baguettes pizzas, burgers platters, h

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