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Believe it or not — heading out to a winery is an activity the whole family can enjoy together. Yep, even the little ones! While some wineries are a strictly adult-only affair, there are some incredible hidden gems with kiddo-specific activities and food and drink offerings.
Where to find them, you ask? The wondrous Hunter Valley Wine Region!
The Hunter Valley is located inland from Newcastle, about a three and a half hour drive from Sydney. It’s one of Australia’s most renowned wine destinations, so you know you’re in for the ultimate winery experience.
Nestled within the Hunter Valley are a number of wineries that cater to both you and the kids. Featuring lawn games, playgrounds, friendly wildlife and soft drink tasting flights, these kid-friendly Hunter Valley wineries keep juniors entertained while you indulge in an unforgettable wining and dining experience.
Kid Friendly Wineries in the Hunter Valley
If you’re after a one-stop guide to family-friendly wineries in the Hunter Valley, you’ve stumbled upon the right page.
No need to call in the babysitter — these venues are all about welcoming the whole family.
We’ve collated the top ten Hunter Valley kid-friendly wineries for the ultimate day out.
Scarborough Wine Co.
Scarborough Wine Co. is one of the most renowned Hunter Valley wineries and offers an exceptional cellar door experience.
There are two cellar doors on the property; the first is the Gillards Road Cellar Door, which is situated right next to the owner’s family home. The second, established in 2011, is Scarborough on Hermitage, which offers an extensive range of new and traditional wines.
Indulge in Rose, Verdelho, Pinot, and three different Chardonnay varieties.
The Gillards Road Cellar Door is as child-friendly as they come. It features a large grassy area for the kids to run around on, complete with activity packs and lawn games (including hula hoops and skipping ropes to really tire them out!).
The spacious area is situated right outside the cellar door, so you can keep an eye on the kids while tucking into your tasting and lunch.
Website: Here
Address: 179 Gillards Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Reviews:
4.7 Google Review from 166 reviews
5 Trip Advisor from 487 reviews
Elbourne Wines
Images sourced from https://www.facebook.com/elbournewines
This boutique winery can be found on the Terra Rossa hills of Pokolbin, right in the heart of the Hunter Valley.
It’s been awarded an impressive 5-star rating by James Halliday Wine Companion (2018, 2019), so there’s no denying the team behind Elbourne knows their stuff.
Enjoy an authentic and relaxed tasting experience on the front verandah, sampling the award-winning Chardonnay and Shiraz varieties.
The beauty of this family-run winery is you’ll likely get to meet the Elbourne’s themselves!
Elbourne Wines invites the whole family out for the day, offering a kid’s playground, sandpit, and in-ground trampoline that you can overlook from the tasting area.
For the animal-loving kids (and adults), there’s the opportunity to meet the resident sheep, pigs, dogs, chooks, geese and pony.
Note: Tastings by appointment only.
Website: Here
Address: 236 Marrowbone Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Reviews:
4.9 Google Review from 33 reviews
Tulloch Wines
One of the Hunter Valley’s first wine families, the Tulloch’s have been crafting wines for over 125 years. More than four generations have worked on the very vines we walk among today.
Tulloch Wines offers a kid-friendly cellar door experience like no other. They offer tasting experiences for you, your teens, and your little ones!
For those over 18, opt for a wine tasting, a tasting paired with chocolate, or a mystery tasting flight paired with local cheeses and charcuterie.
For teens, the team at Tulloch offer a Kombucha Tasting, paired with local cheeses. For the youngins, the Junior Tasting Experience includes four soft drinks and matching snacks (nut and gluten-free). The Junior Tasting Mat is covered in activities too, so there’s no question they’ll be occupied!
When the kids need a run-around, there are indoor and outdoor games including croquet, Connect 4, giant Jenga, and more.
Website: Here
Address: 638 De Beyers Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Reviews:
4.5 Google Review from 210 reviews
4.5 Trip Advisor from 384 reviews
Misty Glen Wines
If you’re after a rustic winery experience, Misty Glen Wines is a must-visit.
Pop in for an intimate cellar door tasting and take a seat at the unique tables made from old oak barrels. Or, if the sun’s shining, sit back and relax in the rose garden overlooking the vineyard.
The wine varieties are made from home-grown grapes and include Semillon, Chambourcin, Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Bringing the kids along? Order a picnic and enjoy the scenic views from the lawn. In between bites and sips, set up a game of boules or croquet together.
There’s even a dedicated Kids Zone at the cellar door where the kids can play with the resident dogs, or get creative with Play-doh and crayons.
If you’ve got a bub-on-board, there are baby change facilities on premises.
Website: Here
Address: 293 Deasys Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Reviews:
4.9 Google Review from 50 reviews
4.5 Trip Advisor from 13 reviews
Peter Drayton Wines
The Drayton family is one of the oldest wine families in Australia. Peter Drayton Wines lies at the foot of the Brokenback Range in the heart of the Hunter Valley wine country.
Sitting on 100 acres with 40 acres under vines, the venue is famous for its Semillon, Shiraz, and Chardonnay, as well as niche varieties including Montepulciano and Tyrian.
The winery is certainly easy on the eyes, nestled among sprawling vineyards, shading Eucalyptus trees, and a native Australian landscape.
As you indulge in some of the best glasses the Hunter Valley has to offer, your kids can get active with lawn games, soccer, totem tennis, quoits, and mini golf in the shaded grass area in front of the winery.
There are also kids meals available from when the little ones get peckish.
Heading out during the school holidays? The Drayton family offers a special program of events, including an Easter Egg Hunt!
Website: Here
Address: 694 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Reviews:
4.5 Google Review from 60 reviews
4.5 Trip Advisor from 41 reviews
Roche Estate
Roche Estate is home to fine dining, award-winning wines, cocktails, gourmet local produce, and is the Hunter Valley’s primary concert venue — a real overachiever.
Head in for a tasting at the Tempus Two cellar door, before making your way to Oishii for an incredible Japanese and Thai dining experience.
Move onto the Meerea Park’s Cellar Door for a local wine sampling, before heading to Goldfish for an expertly-crafted cocktail.
The estate invited people of all ages to take part in the fun. The lawn provides ample space for the kids to stretch their legs, and the Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop on premises offers cheesecake, pizza, and 36 flavours of gelato for them to try out.
With so many activities and experiences on offer, you can make a real day of it at Roche Estate.
Website: Here
Address: Broke Rd &, McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Reviews:
4.3 Google Review from 220 reviews
4 Trip Advisor from 15 reviews
Calais Estate
Calais Estate is all about family, being a family-owned and operated boutique winery.
The team behind Calais offer educational and fun wine tasting experiences and events, so there’s something for everyone.
The Estate features a picturesque vineyard with a cellar door, the Kawul restaurant, and the Come What May homewares and gift shop.
Calais boasts one of the most extensive boutique wine lists in the Hunter Valley, which includes classic wine varieties and unique styles.
Settle in for a long lunch or gourmet picnic on the property and take in the views of the Brokenback Ranges from the sweeping verandah.
Kids can enjoy games and craft activities while you make your way through a tasting, then explore the estate grounds which are home to peacocks, geese, and other wildlife.
Website: Here
Address: 151 Palmers Ln, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Reviews:
4.7 Google Review from 74 reviews
4.5 Trip Advisor from 149 reviews
Margan Winery & Restaurant
Margan Winery & Restaurant was established in 1996 and has been known as one of the most acclaimed wineries in the Hunter Valley region ever since.
Margan has been rated a 5-star winery by the James Halliday Wine Companion each year since 2009, has twice won Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year, and consistently appears in the Gourmet Traveller Best Australian Restaurants Guide.
All this is to say that the Margan team does wine and food well.
The mixture of traditional Hunter varieties and home-grown alternative vines span over 100 hectares. The restaurant menus are crafted based on what is harvested on the property, which gives each meal a local and seasonal focus.
This is a truly kid-friendly venue, so your little ones will love it. There’s a Mini Foodies menu they’ll love, including hand-rolled gnocchi and desserts.
To really get the kids involved, head out on a supervised garden tour. The kids will learn how to grow veggies, compost at home, and feed chickens. They’ll also be able to unearth garden secrets on a scavenger hunt.
At the end of the tour, kids can plant a succulent to take home, before tucking into a snack platter, baked treat, and drink.
Website: Here
Address: 1238 Milbrodale Rd, Broke NSW 2330
Reviews:
4.6 Google Review from 237 reviews
4.5 Trip Advisor from 488 reviews
Glandore Estate Wines
Image Sourced from https://www.facebook.com/Glandorewines
Sitting at the base of the Brokenback Ranges, Glandore Estate sits on a unique terroir and is home to some of the region’s most distinguished vines.
All wines are handpicked and crafted from only the best parcels of fruit. Recently, the team at Glandore have expanded their fruit-picking reach and have begun incorporating fruit from all across New South Wales. The varieties are known for their intensity of flavour and character.
Settle in for a memorable tasting experience, nestled among the established vines. While you enjoy your wine tasting or wine and chocolate paired tasting, the kids will be kept busy with colouring-in books.
As the weather warms, the kids can head out onto the lawn for ball games and totem tennis.
Website: Here
Address: 1595 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Reviews:
4.8 Google Review from 103 reviews
4.5 Trip Advisor from 104 reviews
Vines Restaurant at Hollydene Estate
The Vines Restaurant at Hollydene Estate truly is more than just a venue to eat at.
Featuring breathtaking views of the Wollemi National Park, the dining experience is one you’ll never forget.
The restaurant follows a paddock to plate philosophy, creating fresh, seasonal menus and using produce from the estate itself and local regions.
Indulge in glasses of Hollydene Estate wine or craft beer at the cellar door, before heading into the restaurant for lunch.
As for the kiddos, they’ll be dining from the healthy kids menu. The Sir Walter lawn provides a wide open space for kids to play, complete with a huge toy box they can work their way through.
Website: Here
Address: 3483 Golden Highway, Jerrys Plains NSW 2330
Reviews:
4.6 Google Review from 59 reviews
4.5 Trip Advisor from 177 reviews
Kid-Friendly Wineries in the Hunter Valley: Make the Trip
These kid-friendly wineries in the Hunter Valley are sure to impress every family member.
If you’re looking to make a weekend of it, book a spot at one of the best Hunter Valley winery accommodation establishments.
We know how heartbreaking it is to look into those puppy dog eyes and leave your four-legged friend behind for the day, but it doesn’t have to be this way! Discover these dog-friendly wineries in the Hunter Valley.
You can also explore our list of Hunter Valley winery tours and boutique Hunter Valley wineries to keep in mind for your next no-kids-allowed adventure.