BY BUS

Experience the freedom of travelling by coach. Click here to view several local & Sydney based tour operators that pick up & and drop off from Sydney. For a public coach, Rover Coaches can pick up from Morisset Train Station & they match their transfers with the train timetable. For more information on getting to the Hunter Valley by train, see below.

 BY TRAIN

Two ways to travel to the Hunter Valley by train:

• Cityrail service to Maitland or Morisset with connecting buses from each of these stations to Cessnock.  From Cessnock it is 20 min (approx) taxi ride to your desired location in Wine Country.
• Countrylink express service (7 stops) from Sydney Central to Singleton Station. From Singleton it is 20 min (approx) taxi ride to your desired location in Wine Country. 

For train timetables:

• Cityrail to Maitland or Morisset – click here
• Countrylink express service to Singleton – click here. For information on connecting taxi call 02 6572 1133. For information on an all inclusive train package with transfers – click here

BY PLANE

If you are travelling in style (or can afford to!), Cessnock Airport is the closest airport, based in the heart of Hunter Valley Wine Country. However it is accessible by private charter & helicopters only.  For domestic flights, Newcastle Airport is approximately 45 minutes drive from Hunter Valley Wine Country. Flights depart from Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane & Melbourne daily direct to Newcastle. 

DRIVING DISTANCE AND TIME

For up to date traffic details visit Live Traffic NSW

HUNTER VALLEY’S CLIMATE

The Hunter Valley’s climate is similar to a Mediterranean climate with lovely balmy days in spring and summer and brisk nights in autumn and winter when wood fires are roaring. In summer the average daily temperature is between 28°-30C and in winter 16-18°C, dipping to lows of 2-4°C overnight. January is the hottest month and July the coldest. The heaviest rainfall is in summer, similar to a subtropical climate, with a secondary peak just before winter with an average annual rainfall of 750mm.

• Spring:  8-27 ºC 
• Summer: 17-30 ºC
• Autumn: 9-27 ºC 
• Winter: 5-19 ºC 

WINTER

Winter is a great time to visit the Hunter Valley with clear blue skies and mild temperatures averaging 18°C during the day. The chilly weather gives a good excuse to rug up, and explore all the delights the valley has to offer with cosy fireplaces and winter-warming food to beat the night chill. The stark contrast of the dormant grapevines and display of winter grass and flowers in the vineyards make the Hunter Valley a sight to be seen Taste charming and elegant wines at the many cellar doors, and try warming fortified wines such as ports, liqueurs and distillery products. Winter days bring fresh air and mild temperatures, that can fall as low as 5 degrees Celsius overnight – don’t forget to pack your jacket!

One of Australia’s best places to eat, the Hunter Valley is bursting with restaurants serving up delicious local produce paired with the region’s best wines. From high-end fine dining to classic country steakhouses and buzzing cafes, you’ll find mouth-watering seasonal produce in Australia’s oldest wine region.

From casual to fine dining, the Hunter Valley is ready to serve. The Hunter Valley has world class restaurants, passionate acclaimed chefs, and premium local produce. You’ll find delicious hatted restaurants, like Muse Kitchen, Bistro Molines and Margan. Other acclaimed restaurants include Esca Bimbadgen Restaurant Botanica.

You can take part in cooking classes, high tea and even take a taste of the Hunter home with you from the local gourmet producers.

Click here to learn more.

From antiques to womens fashion, giftware to bare essentials, there are a wide range of options to explore. 

Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village offers a range of shops including homewares, galleries, a cellar door and gift shops, boutique and specialty shops, and attractions. Enjoy country style shopping, friendly service, and smaller crowds, with plenty of parking and easy access.

There are a number of shopping options in Pokolbin and Cessnock.

Click here for more information.

The Conference Hosts and Conference Managers have arranged for photography onsite throughout the event. The images may be used for post-Conference reports, case studies, marketing collateral and supplied to industry media if requested. If you do not wish for your photo to be taken, please inform the photographer and move out of camera range.

Australia introduced the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 in 2001. The latest updates were published in 2014.  The Conference Managers comply with such legislation which is designed to protect the right of the individual to privacy of their information.  Information collected in respect of proposed participation in any aspect of the Conference will be only used for the purposes of planning and conduct of the Conference and may also be provided to the organising body or to organisers of future events.  Information may also be used for advice of future conferences in a related area.  See here for more information on Privacy Laws in Australia.

It is also usual to produce a ‘Delegate List’ of attendees at the Conference and to include the individual’s details in such a list.  Consent for publication of the individual’s information may be withheld when completing the Registration Form for the Conference.  Individuals are also entitled to access the information held by written application to the Conference Managers.