Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 4 . NEW SOUTH WALES
Tyrell’s Tyrell’s has produced some famous wines and exports all over the
world. Broke Rd., Pokolbin. & 02/4993 7000. Tours daily 1:30pm.
DAY TOURS, HOT-AIR BALLOON RIDES & OTHER FUN STUFF
If you don’t have a car, you’ll have to get around as part of a tour, as there is no
public transport running between the wineries.
Trekabout Tours (& 02/4990 8277) offers half-day and full-day winery
tours for a maximum of six people. Half-day tours cost A$28 (US$18), with visits
to five or six wineries, and full-day tours cost A$44 (US$29), and take in up
to nine wineries. The company can pick you up from your hotel in either Cessnock
or Pokolbin.
Also offering local pickup is Hunter Vineyard Tours (& 02/4991 1659),
which has a full-day tour on either 12- or 21-seat buses, taking in five wineries.
They charge A$38 (US$25), or A$55 (US$36) with a two-course meal.
A tranquil way to see the wineries (but not sample the wines!) is from above.
Balloon Aloft, in Cessnock (& 1800/028 568 in Australia, or 02/4938 1955;
fax 02/6344 1852), offers year-round dawn balloon flights that include a postflight
champagne and optional breakfast costing A$15 (US$9.75). Flights last
about an hour and cost A$225 (US$146) for adults on weekdays and A$250
(US$162) on weekends. Children ages 7 to 12 fly for A$130 (US$85) daily.
If you like adventure, try Grapemobile Bicycle and Walking Tours (& 0500/
804 039 in Australia; phone and fax 02/4991 2339). This company supplies
you with a mountain bike, helmet, guide, and support bus, and takes you on a
peaceful meander through the wineries. Tours cost A$98 (US$64), including a
restaurant lunch. It also hires out bicycles—A$22 (US$14) for a half day and
A$30 (US$20) for a full day.
ACCOMMODATIONS YOU CAN AFFORD
The Hunter Valley is generally expensive, especially if you want to be anywhere
near the vineyards—and let’s face it, there’s little point in coming if you don’t
drink. Hotels are even more expensive on weekends and during public holidays,
when room prices jump significantly and some properties insist on a 2-night
stay. It’s worthwhile checking out the information board located inside the Wine
Country Visitors Information Centre (see “Visitor Information” above) for special
deals, including self-contained accommodations, cottages, resorts, and
guesthouses. Most tourists come here on a day trip, while Sydneysiders spend a
couple of days here to get away from the Big Smoke.
IN CESSNOCK
Staying in Cessnock is a good idea if you don’t have a car and are relying on local
tour companies to pick you up and show you around the area.
Cessnock Heritage Inn This 1920s building, built as a pub, is right in the
center of Cessnock, so there’s easy access to all the local pubs and restaurants. All
the rooms are done in country style, with dried grasses, floral bedspreads, and
the like. All are quite large with high ceilings but differ greatly—the smallest
room has a double bed, others have queen beds and singles, and there are two
family rooms (sleeping five). All have ceiling fans and free video movies. There’s
also a guest lounge where you can chat with the owners.
Vincent St., Cessnock (P.O. Box 714), NSW 2325. & 02/4991 2744. Fax 02/4991 2720. www.hunterweb.
com.au/heritageinn.html. 13 units. Weekend A$110–A$120 (US$72–US$78) per person with full breakfast,
2-night weekend package A$180–A$200 (US$117–US$130). Midweek A$90–A$100 (US$59–US$65) double
with full breakfast. AE, MC, V. Amenities: Tour desk; lounge room; nonsmoking rooms. In room: A/C, TV,
minibar, coffeemaker.