26/12/2021
3-day Country Escape - VIP All Inclusive.
Escape to The Upper Hunter Valley for a true country experience.
Only 3 hours drive from Sydney, just under 2 hours from Newcastle, come on up and find yourself making memories in real country villages with good old-fashioned Australian hospitality.
Day 1:
On your drive up the New England Highway your Escape begins as you take in the beauty of the rolling hills and view the farmers??? fields full of cows and horses. Start to unwind, leaving all the stress behind, as you see less cars on the road and smell the fresh air. Passing elegant old heritage houses on your journey, you'll also get to take in view of the mighty mines which are a marvel to see. The mines are an important part of the Hunter region and a large part of our economy. On your Full day Wine Tour, you will learn more about how the Mines, Tourism and Farming all work collaboratively to support our thriving community.
On your drive on up to our region you may wish to stop in at the Australian Army Infantry Museum in Singleton, open Wednesdays to Sundays 9am-4pm, $8 per adult, $5 per Pensioner. Please plan ahead, check they are open before going and allow at least 2 additional hours onto your journey so that you arrive in time for your afternoon activities. These will start from 1pm in Muswellbrook, 45 minutes drive from Singleton.
Alternatively, make your way to Muswellbrook early and spend an hour walking around our marvellous art gallery. Free entry opens every day except Sunday 10am-4pm. Have lunch at the Cattle Dog Café or The Royal Hotel Muswellbrook.
As you arrive at Muswellbrook township see if you can spot the few Cattle Dog statues, perhaps even take a photo with one. This town is the home of the Cattle Dog, history tells us Muswellbrook is where they were first bred to be the Australian working dog. Every September Muswellbrook hosts the 'Great Cattle Dog Muster' at Muswellbrook Race Club. This is a prominent event which attracts many people from all over Australia and the world, especially America. Unfortunately, due to Covid, it has been postponed for the past 2 years.
Check into your accommodation at the Re*****on Hotel Muswellbrook, On arrival you will be presented with an exclusive 'The Hunter in a Basket' Hamper full of local goodies valued at over $50.
Arriving at Beauty Co Spa Muswellbrook for your 1pm appointment you will be taken into a hidden oasis to relax and unwind for your couples massage. For a full 1 hour with your loved one, enjoy and take in the sensory sensations of Pure Fiji professional body oils, finished with hot towels.
Your next included appointment is at 2:30pm where you'll make your way another 3 minutes??? drive up the road to the Upper Hunter's Iconic 'Hunter Belle Cheese Café'. You might remember the first My Kitchen Rules in 2014 where we had our local Hunter Belle Cheese owners Annie and Jason, otherwise known on the show as Mr and Mrs Cheese. They proudly own this Cheese factory along with their parents and produce some of the best cheeses and milk in Australia. Here you'll be enjoying a unique cheese and wine experience while soaking up the wonderful atmosphere in the Upper Hunter Valley. Including the finest handmade, artisan cheeses with accompaniments, as well as your choice of a bottle of local wine and a fudge platter, this experience is sure to entice the senses!
By 3:30pm you are probably ready to head to your hotel for a rest. You might be full from your cheese tasting and only want something light, or you might be ready for a feast! we highly recommend the Re*****on Restaurant, or head out up the road for a 10-minute walk to the Iconic Royal Hotel Muswellbrook and enjoy this trendy, high-end country establishment in the town. Try the Arancini Balls, they are delicious and huge! Dinner is at your own expense as we wanted to keep this flexible for you depending on how hungry you are after your afternoon Cheese tasting - these platters are also enormous!
Day 2:
We'll be driving for you today, be ready at the front of the hotel for an 8:30am pick up. You'll be chauffeured around and looked after like a VIP all day when you will be dropped back at approximately 5:30pm.
The day includes:
* A stop into Pukara Estate Olive grove for some premium Olive oil tastings.
* VIP wine tasting at 3 of the Upper Hunter Valley's best wineries.
* First wine tasting at Small Forrest Winery paired with delicious morning tea of sweet and savoury slices, all locally produced.
* VIP exclusive graveyard tour amongst the vines - Exclusive to the guests on our tour
* Second wine tasting at Two Rivers Winery paired with gourmet local cheese platter from our very own Hunter Belle Cheese.
* VIP exclusive tour up to the majestic winery look-out, overlooking the best of the Upper Hunter Valley mountains and Vineyards, as far as the eyes can see - another experience exclusive to our tour guests
* Last wine tasting at Hollydene Winery paired with a light late lunch of a high tea, personalised tasting in the barrel room followed by tea or coffee.
* Relax in comfort in our luxury vans whilst you are chauffeured around the Wineries
* Drive past our mines and view these sites with awe and amazement, learn about the history of them from your guide.
Visit the Upper Hunter Valley's best wineries to sample some delicious wines of the Upper Hunter Valley.
Visit boutique, new, large and small wineries with a difference. We also love to highlight our locally made produce with the progressive food on this tour.
These are unique wine encounters that are not available to your average walk-in-wine taster.
This evening, dinner is at your leisure again as we kept this open depending on how hungry you are after a full day of food and wine.
Day3:
Today you bid farewell to the Upper Hunter Valley! Checkout time is 10am. If you have the time and wish to venture around the region further, we can make the following suggestions:
* Book with Upper Hunter Escapes for a Morning Tea at 'The Clydesdale Experience' on your way back towards the coast. At just $85pp, you will get up close and personal with these gentle giant Clydesdale horses. Take in the serene environment and idyllic scenery on the property of Kylie and John as they take you back in time teaching you about how these horses helped shape the Australia we have today. You'll have a selection of divine homemade slices whilst enjoying a tea or coffee.
* Send Upper Hunter Escapes a message in your booking if you would like to add this to your package.
* If you check out on a Sunday please note that shops will not be open. On any other day visit the boutique shopping before you leave, located in the main street of Muswellbrook. Head to the famous Boutique shop called 'Finders Keepers' for divine unusual gifts and clothes! 'The Cattle Dog Cafe' is particularly great for unusual cattle dog gifts and more.
* Drive to the next town of Scone, just 20 minutes from Muswellbrook. Scone is the horse capital of Australia; drive out to Glenbawn Dam and go past many high-end horse studs. Stop in at the Thoroughbred Hotel for a delicious lunch. This establishment has recently been renovated to a 5-star standard and will be sure to impress with its large marble bench tops and bar. Here, you'll learn about the horse and racing industry as this is a heritage building.
* Drive in the opposite direction to Denman, 20 minutes from Muswellbrook and on the way back to the coast. Walk this flat, quaint village on foot to view the country stores where you'll find a liquor shop, trendy cafes, cute shops selling hand-made wares, boutique clothing and gifts. Head to either of the pubs for a delicious lunch before heading home.
This Package Includes:
* 2 nights??? accommodation at the beautiful 4-star Re*****on in Muswellbrook in a Deluxe King Suite
* Exclusive 'The Hunter in a Basket' Hamper on arrival, full of goodies from the region including a bottle of wine valued at over $50
* Cheese Tasting antipasto platter for 2 at Hunter Belle Cheese Cafe including a bottle of wine
* 1 hour Massage for 2 at Beauty Co Muswellbrook
* Exclusive fully escorted and chauffeured one day progressive food and wine tour including all wine tastings throughout, paired with continuous local food all day
* Risk free, feel at ease ??? This tour is fully refundable up until 24 hours prior to check in. Full payment due at time of booking.
Not Included:
* This is a self-drive package excluding the Wine Tour where you will be picked up and dropped off from your accommodation and chauffeured throughout. Once booked, your itinerary will have all addresses on each item, they are all close to one another. If you require extra assistance, we are only a phone call or email away to assist.
* Dinners - Your accommodation has a lovely 4-5-star restaurant, however after your afternoon cheese platter on day one, and after the full day Wine & Food Tour you may not be too hungry. The hotel staff can help make you a reservation at a local restaurant on either night if you wish.
All this for only 💲2,872 per couple
Available all dates throughout the year!
