NSW Top Tourism Town Awards – Top Small Tourism Town: Broke Fordwich 4-day self-drive itinerary

4-Day Romantic Escape in the Hunter Valley

Target audience: Laid Back Couples with an interest in food and (50-64 age group) .

Quintessentially Hunter Valley with a taste of modern country charm, Broke Fordwich is waiting to welcome you to its stunning peaceful pocket of the Hunter Valley.

Broke Fordwich is the perfect place to escape with your loved one and spend quality time with each other enjoying life’s little luxuries. From relaxed to adventurous, fun-loving to laid back, whatever the type of couple you are, we’ve got you covered.

When to go: some operators are only open weekends, so we have suggested an extended 4-day weekend, ensuring all operators are open. We recommend booking accommodation, winery visits, restaurant meals and experiences in advance to ensure you don’t miss out.

Day 1: Food & wine with a side of arts & culture

Aim to arrive in Broke Fordwich by 11am. Take the road less travelled from via Tourist Drive 33. Broke Fordwich is 2.5 hours from Sydney via Tourist Drive 33.

Not to be fooled by its size, Broke Fordwich may be small but is filled with incredible places to stay, eat, drink and see. From the overall history of the town to the individual histories of the cellar doors, restaurants and accommodation venues, there’s always a story to hear and a memory to make.

STAY Winmark Winmark Wines accommodation’s newest addition, Villa Vino, is Accommodation the perfect place for couples seeking the blissful tranquillity, privacy and intimacy of tiny space living.

The entire of Winmark Wines estate has recently been renovated and refurbished, adding an on-site art gallery, sculpture walk and cellar door. Cosy up near the outdoor firepit whilst admiring the vineyard views and watching the sun set on the Brokenback Mountains. PLAY You’ll find that you can easily make your way between cellar doors, restaurants and your accommodation as most places are only a 5-minute drive from each other. 11am – 1pm Winmark Wines – Cellar door & Art Gallery Keeping the history and heritage alive, Winmark Wines, formerly Pooles Rock, have repurposed the old wine storage sheds into an authentic cellar door. The modern space connects the working vineyard with a beautifully designed place to enjoy and showcase the flagship Winmark .

Enjoy a tasting experience with cheese plate at the cellar door, followed by a visit to the on-site art gallery. 1 – 4pm Margan Wines & Restaurant Indulge in the Ultimate Margan Experience combining wine, food, and a little educational fun. Work up an appetite with a guided tour of the famous Margan kitchen garden, orchard, vineyard and winery followed by a five-course degustation lunch, for the complete paddock to plate dining experience. The whole experience will take approximately 3 hours. 4-6pm Winmark Wines Sculpture Walk or Bushwalk/Hike Head back to your accommodation and take time out to relax while you explore the property at your own pace. You’ll find spectacular sculptures inspired by the Australian bush in a place of remarkable beauty and unexpected discovery.

For something a little more adventurous you might like to take an afternoon hike on the Wintrail, which is open to guests of Winmark Wines. 6 – 8pm Mount Broke Wines Friday night is woodfired pizza night at Mount Broke Wines. If you are looking for a light dinner after the five-course lunch, you can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere at Mount Broke wines with a beautiful outlook of the Brokenback mountain ranges. If you prefer to relax at your accommodation, there is a takeaway menu available until 8:30pm.

Day 2: Wine & food with a side of culture & nature

Feeling active? Hit the road and embark on an adventure within the township of Broke Fordwich to its nearby community and attractions. Enjoy a day of educational experiences, good food, great wine, shared adventures, a little local history and stunning scenery.

PLAY 10am – 12.30pm Whispering Brook Just a 7-minute drive from your accommodation at Winmark Wines, tucked away amongst the natural beauty of the Broke area, sits Whispering Brook, a boutique family-owned vineyard. Start your day with one of their more exclusive experiences, the Educational tour + tasting + lunch experience.

Your experience begins with an educational tour of the vineyards and olive groves followed by a seated tasting experience of 6 artisan wines and olive oils. Complete your experience with a beautiful seasonal platter lunch and a glass of sparkling shiraz. 12.30 – 2pm Tourist Drive 33 to Just a short 30-minute scenic drive from Broke Fordwich to Wollombi. Jump in the car and follow in the footsteps of the early pioneers along the convict-built Great North Road to the picturesque Wollombi Valley – a 30-minute drive along Tourist Drive 33. Then spend some time exploring the historical town and browse the local stores as you engage with the locals.

“Wollombi” is derived from the Aboriginal, meaning ‘meeting place’ or ‘meeting place of the waters’. It is a site of great indigenous significance, located in a narrow valley junction containing Wollombi Brook and . Quaint, historic and sleepy are often used words to describe this pretty little village with its well-preserved sandstone buildings and timber slab cottages 2-2:30pm Stonehurst Wines Stonehurst’s single-vineyard, boutique wines are made from the Heslop family’s organic, estate grown grapes – handpicked and pruned, they are committed to sustainable agriculture. This labour of love has resulted in trophy winning wines and great reviews from experts such as James Halliday. The Stonehurst cellar door is open 7 days a week, from 10am to 5pm. 3-6pm Finchley’s Lookout Take a short 30-minute scenic drive out to Finchley’s Lookout, located within the , and embark on a late afternoon bushwalk.

Once you reach the top, you won’t be disappointed. Offering spectacular 360˚ views over the remote wilderness area and insights into the Aboriginal cultural heritage of Yengo National Park, Finchley’s Lookout is the perfect place to capture the Hunter Valley’s natural beauty.

Stay a little while longer and watch the sunset over the mountains and bushland, it’s the perfect moment to capture on camera and make lasting memories. 7-9pm Wind down from your outdoor adventures and relax with a chilled glass of Winmark Chardonnay or curl up by the fire.

For dinner we suggest you order one of Winmark Wines personalised pamper packages. Hampers have been designed to complement the stunning location and bring you fine wines and delectable treats, ranging from refined barbeques and breakfasts to elaborate chocolate-soaked deserts.

If you need to relax even further, you can arrange in advance with your accommodation, for an experienced massage therapist to come to you.

Please place your order with your final accommodation payment 7 days prior to arrival via 0429 265 268 or [email protected]

Day 3: Wine & cheese with a side of chocolate

Head on over to Tinonee Estate Vineyard, just 5-minutes’ drive from Winmark Wines, and make yourself at home in the quaint cottage.

A day of indulgence lies ahead! With wine and food experiences aplenty and gorgeous boutique cellar doors, it’s hard to make a choice. Spend the day travelling within Broke Fordwich, taste the local produce, explore the town and sip on fantastic wines.

STAY Tinonee Vineyard Estate Long before the Herbert Street Bridge over the Wollombi Brook, Tinonee Vineyard Estate was a thriving dairy farm. The Cottage was the original milking place, after which the milk was sent via a flying fox over the brook to the village of Broke. Now a quaint two bedroom, two en-suite cottage, The Cottage is the perfect accommodation to relax and rejuvenate.

Sitting outside admiring the views back to the vines and Yellow Rock beyond, The Cottage provides the perfect place to completely escape. A late evening, or early morning walk around the vineyards is an excellent way to fully appreciate the tranquil setting. PLAY 10:30-11:30am 1813 Cellar door Take a short walk and relax at the cellar door while enjoying a wine tasting experience. Complimentary wine tasting with cheese platter at 1813 Cellar Door as part of the accommodation booking offer. 12-2pm Nightingale Wines Less than a 1-minute drive from 1813 Cellar Door, enjoy a light lunch at Nightingale Wines Café followed by a relaxed wine tasting at their cellar door. 2:15-4pm Greenway Wines 4-minutes down the road, make your way to Greenway Wines for something sweet and savoury with a wine, cheese & chocolate tasting.

Greenway Wines are made from 100% estate grown fruit from their single vineyard, nurtured using sustainable farming practices.

A delicious addition to their wine tasting experience, the Wine, Cheese and Chocolate tasting includes the full list of Greenway wines, four of which have a cheese or chocolate match specifically developed to compliment the wine and help you better understand the art and science of wine and food matching. 4-6:30pm Settle in to your accommodation, unpack and spend the afternoon relaxing indoors, take a stroll around the estate or watch the sunset from the outdoor dining area with a glass of your favourite . 6:30-9pm Dinner: Restaurant Botanica A leisurely 20-minute drive from your accommodation, on the outskirts of Pokolbin is Restaurant Botanica at Spicers Vineyards Estate. The restaurant has been awarded One Chef Hat in the Australian Good Food Guide in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and two glasses in the 2020 List of the Year Awards. Travel Suggestions Should you require transport for the evening, we recommend booking a local transport service to shuttle you to and from Restaurant Botanica. You can find a full list of transport services here.

Day 4: Wine with a side of history & heritage

Closely connected to some of the nearby areas showcasing the region’s history and heritage, enjoy the great outdoors via the scenic drives from Broke Fordwich to surrounding towns and attractions.

PLAY 10-11:30am Krinklewood Estate Start your morning with a short 8-minute drive to Krinklewood Estate and enjoy a wine tasting experience at their cellar door. Book in advance and ask about their cheese platters to accompany your wine tasting experience.

The boutique cellar door offers guests a unique experience with award-winning biodynamic wines, provencal-style gardens, and an abundance of beautiful birdlife.

Starting conversion in 2002, Krinklewood vineyard and farm became Certified Biodynamic Organic in 2007. The whole property, including the winery, is certified with Australian Certified Organic and is audited annually to maintain biodynamic organic certification. 11:30am-12pm Enjoy the scenery and country charm as you take a 30-minute drive from Krinklewood Estate to Singleton town centre. 12-1:30pm Singleton Heritage Walk Singleton boasts beautiful gardens, historical and cultural sites, vineyards and modern wineries. The Heritage Walk lets you explore all this at your own pace. A gentle stroll along George Street will lead you to a collection of proud historic buildings that stand to tell the tale of the rich heritage the Singleton region has to offer. Look out for the State Heritage Listed Ewbank and the Post Office. 1:30-3pm Worn Out Wares End your walk with a visit to Worn Out Wares for lunch and enjoy a little local shopping. Well-known for their eclectic mix of gifts and homewares which compliments the café and on-site floristry store, this quirky one-stop shop has become a local favourite and perfect meeting place for visitors. The extensive menu covers breaky, lunch and moreish sweets that’ll make you want to start your meal with dessert. 3:30-5pm Australian Army Infantry Museum On your drive back to Broke Fordwich, we suggest you stop at The Australian Army Infantry Museum (AAIM), just 11 minutes’ drive from Worn Out Wares and only 17 minutes’ drive back to your accommodation.

The AAIM is the custodian of Infantry Corps history and its customs and traditions. The Museum's collection ranges from the Australia's pre federation state colonial armies and their first deployments overseas in the nineteenth century through to today’s twenty first century diggers. 6-8pm Hassle-free, after a day of exploring, put your feet up and let a local hatted chef cook you up a delicious dinner in the comfort of your home away from home. When booking your accommodation be sure to let Tinonee Vineyard Estate know that you wish to include an exclusive in-house dining experience as part of your stay.