Photo of Pokolbin

About Pokolbin

With a well-deserved reputation as the wine capital of the Hunter Valley, Pokolbin is a hugely popular destination for city dwellers escaping Sydney for the weekend, or for adventurers on long road trips around rural New South Wales. Fans of top-notch food and wine will delight in touring the many wineries of the picturesque Hunter Valley, which is also brilliant for walking and cycling. A burgeoning array of enticing little B&Bs, vineyard hotels and romantic lodges are studded around the area. Our team have rounded up some of their favourites, and you’ll find a list of the best places to stay in Pokolbin below.

The Hunter Valley can trace its wine-making history back more than 160 years, and guided tours and tastings include stops at world-class stalwarts, multi-generational family wineries and small boutique vineyards producing full-bodied Shiraz or wonderful sparkling wines. The Hunter Valley Wine School runs excellent courses, there are some great cellar doors, and sustainably-minded foodies will be thrilled to hear of Keith Tulloch, the first carbon-neutral winery in the area. Expect mouth-watering tasting menus at characterful restaurants, and some super cheese shops, too.

Beyond the vineyards, you’ll find outdoor activities aplenty around Pokolbin. Amble around the gorgeous Hunter Valley Gardens, play a round of golf at one of the many stunning courses, or follow hiking, horse riding and cycling trails across the undulating landscape. Hot air balloon flights are dazzling, whilst the area’s weekly craft and produce markets are a hive of activity. Patient travellers can also expect to spot myriad birds from the balconies of the best places to stay in Pokolbin — glass of wine in hand, of course.

The Best Places to Stay in Pokolbin

For Boutique Bliss

  • The Convent Hunter Valley is a pretty blue-and-white painted building with lovely latticework and a tranquil, traditional feel. Spacious guest rooms have French baroque-inspired interiors. The restaurant, Circa 1876, is amongst the best in the Hunter Valley. One for fans of classic charm.
  • Spicers Vineyards Estate offers 12 luxurious rooms, many with wood-burning fireplaces, swish bathrooms and all the mod-cons. A refreshing swimming pool, serene spa and fabulous restaurant complete the picture. Adults-only and ideal for romantics, the hotel has its own vineyard and extensive wine cellar.

For Families or Groups

  • The Carriages Boutique Hotel & Vineyard offers 10 charming bedrooms and a two-bedroom cottage on a five-acre vineyard. Rosebank Cottage is ideal for self-catering, and and spaces have private decks for unwinding, as well as a tennis court lovely shared gardens for strolling and cycling. Great for families with older children, and very affordable.
  • Hermitage Lodge's 20 contemporary suites and studios face Shiraz vineyards. The five-bedroom Residence - complete with private pool, kitchen and sitting rooms, sleeps up to 10 guests, making it a perfect group or extended family choice. Pescara Restaurant, on the lodge's verdant grounds, is a foodie treat.
  • Spicers Guesthouse has airy rooms and suites with white linens, cosy sitting rooms & flat-screen TVs in a restored guesthouse. The four-bedroom cottage is ideal for families or groups of friends, who share access to the swimming pool, lush gardens and tennis court with other guests. Gather at the excellent Italian restaurant for convivial evenings.
  • Tonic Hotel is an adult-only spot perched on the banks of a little lake in the Hunter Valley. Inspired by laid-back Australian style, suites are self-catering, with full kitchens, sitting rooms and decks. The two-bedroom options are great for friends travelling together. There are wineries, cheese tastings and hiking trails on your doorstep.

For Keen Golfers

  • Chateau Elan, a 100-room resort with smart, modern interiors and a great spa, is famed largely for its 18-hole golf course. Designed by Greg Norman, the course also plays host to the New South Wales Open Championship and will delight keen golfers. Don't miss savouring a glass or two of the good stuff at the clubhouse afterwards.

For Absolute Indulgence

  • Tower Lodge takes luxury to new heights with sensational suites set within the grounds of a picturesque vineyard. The Sebastian restaurant showcases Basque cuisine with a modern Australian twist, and the sumptuous suites with terracotta floors, enormous beds, emerald green-tiled bathrooms and characterful seating areas promise absolute bliss. Fabulous.

FOR A PRIVATE HOUSE OR APARTMENT

  • If you'd prefer a self-catering option, we suggest that you visit our online partner Booking.com.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

  • Fly to the nearby Newcastle Airport, an hour's drive from Pokolbin, or to Sydney Airport, 2.5 hours' drive away. Travel to your hotel by bus or taxi. Most hotels will be happy to arrange an airport pick-up in advance.
  • New South Wales is ideal for a road trip! If you would like to hire a car, we recommend visiting our online partner Rentalcars.
  • Pokolbin is a year-round destination. Some rainfall is expected between January and March, but this can still be a lovely time to travel. Visit outside the Australian school holidays for great deals.

STILL NOT SURE?

Best Hotels in Pokolbin

  • Hermitage Lodge Pokolbin (New South Wales) 21 rooms from $131

    Groups  -  The 5-bedroom Residence — with private pool, kitchen & sitting room — sleeps up to 10 guests & is perfect for group holidays
    Wine tasting  -  Hermitage Lodge has its own vineyard, and the tours and tastings are fantastic — this is wine country after all!
    Country Escape  -  A stylish rural retreat with a vineyard, swimming pool and verdant grounds in the stunning Hunter Valley
    Value chic  -  Smart accommodation at very reasonable prices
    Air conditioningSpaRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenDisabled accessViewsParkingNo pets

    A collection of 20 crisp, contemporary suites & studios, plus a 5-bedroom residence, facing the lodge's Shiraz vineyards. Airy, light-filled spaces feature modern furnishings & smart bathrooms, along with sun-drenched wooden decks. A saltwater pool & relaxed restaurant add to the easygoing appeal. See More

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  • Chateau Elan Pokolbin (Australia) 100 rooms from $145

    Golf  -  Play a round or two on the 18-hold course, designed by Greg Norman and home to the New South Wales Open Championship
    Active Holiday  -  Keen golfers, tennis players, hikers and wine aficionados will find a plethora of things to do in the Pokolbin area
    Spa breaks  -  A superb spa destination with 18 treatment rooms and a wide array of wellness therapies
    Tennis  -  Challenge friends and family to a game on tennis on the hotel's court
    TennisSpaRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenDisabled accessViewsParkingNo pets

    A luxury resort boasting smart accommodation, an 18-hole golf course & excellent spa in the heart of the Hunter Valley. Large rooms & suites are contemporary in style & feature all mod cons including spa baths & Nespresso machines. A deliciously indulgent based in a wine-growing region. See More

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  • The Convent Hunter Valley Pokolbin (Australia) 17 rooms from $167

    Honeymoons  -  A romantic honeymoon hotel in the gorgeous Hunter Valley, with lovely Garden Suites boasting cosy beds & beautiful views
    Foodies  -  Circa 1876 is reputedly the best restaurant in the Hunter Valley - the surrounding vineyards are also fantastic
    Wine tasting  -  Enjoy tours and tastings at the nearby Pepper Tree and Towers Estate Wineries, both within walking distance
    Tennis  -  Play a game at the synthetic grass court, borrowing racquets and balls from the hotel
    Air conditioningTennisRestaurantSwimming PoolDisabled accessViewsParkingNo pets

    This bright blue old nunnery-turned-hotel offers an indulgent stay in the heart of the Hunter Valley. Spacious rooms channel French baroque style mixed with Australian country hotel, and have stunning views out to the gardens and vineyard. Perfect for a romantic soujourn amid the vines. See More

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  • The Carriages Boutique Hotel & Vineyard Pokolbin (New South Wales) 10 rooms from $172

    Families  -  The two-bedroom Rosebank Cottage, complete with a kitchen & sitting room, is ideal for families or groups travelling together
    Country Escape  -  A laid-back rural hideaway with verdant grounds and a tennis court in the beautiful Hunter Valley
    Wine tasting  -  Tours and tastings of the five-acre Carriage Boutique winery, bordered by forest, are wonderful
    Local markets  -  The Hunter Wine Country Markets and the Handmade in the Hunter Markets are fabulous for picking up craft pieces
    Air conditioningTennisSwimming PoolGardenViewsParkingNo pets

    A lovely collection of 10 charming bedrooms on a five-acre boutique vineyard. Think traditional, individually decorated spaces with crisp white linens, garden-facing French doors & polished wooden beams. Tiled bathrooms have a classic feel, and big decks are ideal for unwinding. Pretty & laid-back. See More

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  • Spicers Guesthouse Pokolbin (New South Wales) 49 rooms from $196

    Families  -  The four-bedroom Cottage is brilliant for families & friends, who will adore the gardens, swimming pool & tennis court
    Wine tasting  -  Enjoy terrific vineyard tours and tastings on a guided Hunter Valley Wine Tour
    Great walks  -  The 29 acres of the Hunter Valley Gardens are brilliant for scenic strolls
    Tennis  -  Challenge family and friends to a game of tennis on the hotel's court
    Air conditioningTennisSpaRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenPet friendlyDisabled accessViewsParkingNo pets

    A lovingly restored guest house with airy contemporary rooms & suites, as well as a four-bedroom cottage within verdant gardens. Smart interiors boast crisp white linens, flat-screen TVs & cosy seating areas. The swimming pool & Italian restaurant are lovely, and the Hunter Valley vineyards await. See More

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  • Tonic Hotel Pokolbin (New South Wales) 8 rooms from $297

    Wine tasting  -  The Hunter Valley, Australia's oldest wine region, abounds with wonderful vineyards offering tours and tastings
    Groups  -  Two-bedroom suites are ideal for groups of friends travelling together, with a shared kitchen & sitting room
    Local exploring  -  A great base for discovering the wonders of the Hunter Valley's vineyards, farms and trails
    Great walks  -  The 14 hectares of the Hunter Valley Gardens are wonderful for a stroll, with 10 manicured gardens to explore
    Swimming PoolGardenPet friendlyDisabled accessViewsParking
    Recommended by  -  I Escape

    Set in leafy lakeside grounds with a refreshing swimming pool, eight simple, contemporary rooms & suites channel laid-back Australian charm. One- & two-bedroom suites have full kitchens, sitting rooms & decks, inviting a real sense of independence. A relaxed Hunter Valley escape for adults. See More

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  • Spicers Vineyards Estate Pokolbin (Australia) 12 rooms from $329

    Wine tasting  -  Tours and tastings of the estate's own vineyard, where Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot grapes are grown, are fabulous
    Total relaxation  -  Wonderfully relaxing, with a soothing spa, gorgeous restaurant and world-class estate wines
    Country Escape  -  A brilliant vineyard hideaway in the Hunter Valley, just two hours' drive from Sydney
    Cycling  -  Borrow the hotel's bicycles and zip between fields and vineyards in the sunshine
    Air conditioningSpaRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenViewsNo pets
    Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith

    Set on an eight-acre vineyard in the heart of the Hunter Valley. This estate has 12 luxurious rooms boasting wood-burning fireplaces & rural views. Guests share a swimming pool, serene spa and fabulous restaurant. Expect seasonal dishes and award-winning home-grown wines in a romantic setting. See More

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  • Tower Lodge Pokolbin (Australia) 12 rooms from $498

    Ballooning  -  Glide above the Hunter Valley on a mesmerising hot air balloon ride in the early morning or evening, when the light is soft
    Foodies  -  Chef Anthony Fullerton heads a gastronomic delight of a restaurant, specialising in home-grown, seasonal produce & cuisine
    Romantic Break  -  A sensational five-bedroom lodge with indulgent interiors, fabulus food and a real sense of romance
    Wine tasting  -  Savour estate-grown wines and craft beer from the adjoining Hope Estate winery & cellar door
    RestaurantSwimming PoolDisabled accessViewsParkingNo pets

    A luxury lodge set within a picturesque vineyard in the dazzling Hunter Valley. Characterful rooms are both indulgent and charming: think solid antique furniture, artefacts from around the world and all the mod-cons. Dine in the locally renowned restaurant and, of course, sample the wines. See More

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