Spring on the Farm | Hunter Valley Resort + Farm
Spring has well and truly arrived in Pokolbin. The vines are pushing out fresh green leaves, the paddocks are full of life, and there's no better time to gather the family and head to Hunter Valley Resort + Farm. Spread across 100 acres on the corner of Hermitage Road and Mistletoe Lane, this is the kind of place where everyone finds their own way to fall for Wine Country.
Part of what makes the Farm so special is the family behind it. What began in 1991 as a modest 30-room motel with a small restaurant has been grown, with plenty of love and hard work, by Philip Helé and his family into one of the Hunter Valley's most complete destinations. Two generations still live and work on the property every day, and it shows in the warm welcome, attention to detail and the genuine pride that runs through everything they do. It's the last family-owned and operated resort in the Hunter Valley, and it's no surprise TripAdvisor ranks it the number one resort in Pokolbin, with eight consecutive years of Travellers' Choice Awards to its name.
Mornings start at 4 Pines at the Farm, where breakfast is served from 7.30am. Classics like eggs Benedict and smashed avocado sit alongside simpler options for little appetites, and the barista coffee is the smooth,
rich kind that sets you up nicely for a big day ahead.
And it will be a big day. The Farm is home to a cast of characters kids adore, from pigs, sheep, deer and a llama to ducks, chickens, horses, a donkey and an ostrich named Bruce. Walk-through paddocks let children meet and feed the animals at their own pace, and the cameras never stop clicking. Pony rides are a hit with the younger crowd, while older kids and teens can saddle up for guided horse riding through the countryside. For something a little more storybook, horse and carriage rides are a lovely, gentle way to take in the vineyard views together.
The Hunter Adventure Centre keeps the energy up. Segway tours are easier to master than you'd expect and a brilliant way to cover the property, while electric bikes let you cruise the vineyard at your own pace. Archery, axe throwing and laser target shooting bring out everyone's competitive streak. Spring is also the perfect season to kick off your shoes for grape stomping beside the vines, or to challenge the family to a round of barrel rolling, a guaranteed source of laughter and some great holiday photos.
When it's time to slow down, the hands-on experiences bring everyone around the bench. The Cooking School and Pizza Making Classes are made for sharing, and the Big Kids Candy workshops turn out treats like peanut brittle and rocky road, with boozy-infused versions for the grown-ups.
Parents, meanwhile, haven't been forgotten. The Hunter Farm Cellar Door pours the property's own estate-grown wines, and the Hunter Wine Theatre condenses a full year of winemaking into a 15-minute visual presentation that runs daily. For a deeper dive, the Wine School covers the essentials of wine in a two-hour session of talk, presentation and guided tasting, a fun way to understand exactly what's in your glass.
Lunch is all about crowd-pleasers, with something to suit every age and appetite, best enjoyed alfresco in the courtyard on a sunny Spring afternoon with a cold 4 Pines craft beer and those sweeping 360-degree views across the property.
As evening falls, the 4 Pines Taproom and Barrel Bistro come alive. Both share the same modern Australian menu with a touch of Asian influence, while the Barrel Bistro offers a slower pace and full table service. Start with prosciutto focaccia drizzled with rosemary honey, hand-crumbed calamari with smoky black aioli, or bulgogi-style pork belly skewers. Mains include miso-glazed eggplant, prawn mee goreng, chilli mussels with chorizo, confit duck leg and Etty Bay barramundi, while the grill delivers a 300g T-bone or a 250g MB2+ sirloin. Pizza lovers can't go past the 3 Little Pigs or the 3 Cheese Hot Honey, and the truffle fries are an absolute must. Little ones are well looked after with a dedicated kids’ menu, and the Barrel Bistro is BYO wine, so you can bring along that special bottle you picked up at a nearby cellar door.
With this much on offer, staying on-site makes perfect sense. Choose from Hunter Rooms and King Family Rooms, each sleeping four; Deluxe King Rooms; romantic Spa Cottages with two-person spas; or the Two-Bedroom Cottage, which sleeps up to six. Rooms are handy to the heated pool and tennis court, and when you book direct, breakfast is on the house with a $15 voucher per person. Keep an eye on the Hot Deals page too, where packages and last-minute offers are regularly updated.
There's plenty happening this season, too. On 22 October, Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience returns for a night of interactive comedy and a three-course meal, and it always sells out. Looking ahead, the Farm is already planning festive activities for the December school holidays, so it's worth getting in early.
From sunrise to sunset, Hunter Valley Resort + Farm delivers that rare mix of adventure, relaxation and genuine family warmth. This Spring, give your crew the gift of a Hunter Valley getaway where everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, finds something to love. Breakfast, Lunch + Dinner, 7 days. For bookings and more information, visit www.huntervalley.com.au or call (02) 4998 7777.
