Travel guide Hunter Valley & Barrington

Cypress Lakes Resort Cnr McDonald & Thompsons Roads Pokolbin Hunter Valley NSW This self-contained apartment is within the Cypress Lakes resort, but has a feeling of privacy and solitude, thanks to the elevated outlook and the leafy surrounds. Overall rating?      Excellent What makes Villa Merlot different? It is wonderful to be so close to all the facilities that a world-class resort offers, and yet feel separate and private. The upstairs location, coupled with the beautifully tended grounds and bushy outlook, means that you feel quite apart from the bustle of the resort – yet with access all the facilities you could want. Accommodation overview Villa Merlot has one spacious bedroom with a king-size bed and fine quality linen.  There is a d... Read more

81 Kia-Ora Hill Road Bowman Farm Gloucester NSW This lovely rural property is set high on a hill with spectacular views and is a home away from home with everything you need for a weekend or week away … relax with the abundant birdlife, kangaroos and get back in touch with nature – and yourself. Overall rating? Excellent What makes Dam It Getaway different? Its location in the Barrington Tops region means that everywhere you look there is another glorious view, and the property offers comfort, seclusion and serenity. The house is self-contained and milk, tea and coffee are supplied and the owners are happy to do a shop to set you up, if you arrange with them before arrival.  They also provide lovely hampers and picnics by arrangement. Accommodation overview T... Read more

8 Cook Street Gloucester  NSW Quality accommodation in a beautiful setting on the banks of the Gloucester River Overall rating?        Outstanding        What makes Gloucester Art House different? This is a fantastic house in a bushland setting that abounds with birdlife.  The Gloucester River runs through the bottom of the property, giving you all the ambience of being deep in the country, yet within a short walk to town. The art works displayed throughout the house give it a magical feeling and everything is supplied to ensure you have a great stay. Accommodation overview There are two bedrooms with queen-size beds, the main has an ensuite, there is a double bed on the landing on the way up to the art s... Read more

Belltrees Gundy Road, Scone New South Wales Space, space and more space – welcome to the country. Belltrees has been owned by the White family for 7 generations and is still run as a working farm.  It is one of Australia’s most famous rural properties and has a number of self-contained cottages that were originally used by farm workers and managers.  The reviewer was married on the property in 2001 and also enjoyed her honeymoon there, so returning for a family break with friends was a nostalgic trip. Overall rating?  Great What makes Belltrees different? Being a working farm means that this is much more than just a place to stay – it is an experience that allows kids to run around, swim in the river and see why farmers are still the backbone o... Read more

The Country House at Brunkerville Gills Road, Brunkerville, Hunter Valley New South Wales A country retreat with style. The Country House has a special feel about it… as you drive up to the property you have a sense of being welcomed to this spacious home set in classic Australian country at the southern end of the Cessnock Shire.  The house is 30 minutes to the vineyards, which is close enough to visit, but far enough to feel that you can enjoy the country ambience without the grapes! Overall rating?  Outstanding What makes the Country House different? I was travelling with 4 four friends and the house was ideal for that, but would equally suit the family as an ideal break away from the everyday.  The property is in a lovely private location and has a won... Read more

  Willowgatehall Luxury B&B Step back in time to a thoroughly modern guesthouse and enjoy the history and luxury of Willowgatehall.  Located in the heart of Scone in the Upper Hunter Valley, the hall was for many years the cultural heart of Scone. Built in 1873, a new façade was added in 1988 as part of the celebrations for the centenary of the founding of the colony.  The Hall was well known for its expansive library and was home to the debating competition of the area for some time.  In fact the Hall has several claims to fame, not least being that Banjo Patterson performed there, Mark Twain (author of Huckleberry Finn) delivered a lecture at the Hall in 1895 and it was the site of the first meeting of the Scone Municipal Council in 1888. And this herit... Read more

Emma’s Cottage Vineyard 438 Wilderness Road, Rothbury Hunter Valley Wander from the cellar door to your cottage door. This vineyard property has it all for the wine buff! Located in the heart of the Hunter Valley, the cottages are pretty and peaceful. A great place to stay for those who love to do some wine tasting … and if you make the Emma’s Cottage Vineyard your last stop for the day, they you can wander from the cellar door to your own front door! Overall rating?  Excellent What makes Emma’s Cottage different? There is a sense of serenity as you look out at the vines, the dam and the horses … a real feeling of country life conveniently located in a vineyard.  Sitting on the veranda it is easy to imagine yourself to be miles away fro... Read more

Emma’s Cottage Vineyard 438 Wilderness Road, Rothbury Hunter Valley Wander from the cellar door to your cottage door. This vineyard property has it all for the wine buff! Located in the heart of the Hunter Valley, the cottages are pretty and peaceful. A great place to stay for those who love to do some wine tasting … and if you make Emma’s Cottage Vineyard your last stop for the day, they you can wander from the cellar door to your own front door! Overall rating?  Excellent What makes Emma’s Cottage different? There is a sense of serenity as you look out at the vines, the dam and the horses … a real feeling of country life conveniently located in a vineyard.  Sitting on the veranda it is easy to imagine yourself to be miles away from th... Read more

Top View Farm, Duns Creek Road, Duns Creek, Paterson-Morpeth, Hunter Valley & Barrington Have a Tree Change at Top View Farm Top view Farm is a spacious homestead set in 23 acres of bush. You feel in the middle of rural hilly farmland, yet you are only 10 minutes from historic Paterson and 15 minutes from Morpeth. The layout of the house, the ample land to explore and the games room make this especially suitable for families with children wanting both time out and time together. Overall rating: Excellent What makes Top View Farm different? Whether you want the peace of a private balcony or a quiet spot under a gum in the bush, or to join friends for conversation and a glass of complementary port on the wrap around verandah enjoying the view, or to join the kids in the well-eq... Read more

Belmadar Rose Cottage is like a gift; as you unwrap it, the surprise just grows.  This lovely property is just five minutes from Singleton, in the heart of the Hunter Valley.  It is a fully self-contained, 2 bedroom cottage that is the perfect starting place for an exploration of the wineries and surrounding area. However Belmadar Rose Cottage really is a place that lives up to “something for everyone”, as it is fully accessible to the disabled, yet available to everyone.  The cottage has been purpose-built to cater for the disabled, and yet is also a fabulous location for the able-bodied to enjoy as well. It is the operators attention to detail and knowledge of the needs of disabled people that have allowed them to create such a wonderful property, and a fitt... Read more