Pokolbin is not really a town — there is no main street — but a spread of vineyards, cellar doors, restaurants and resorts a few minutes north-west of Cessnock. Grapes have been grown here since the 19th century, and several of the wineries along Broke Road, McDonalds Road and Hermitage Road are still run by the families that founded them.
Almost everything first-time visitors want is within a ten-minute drive: big names such as Tyrrell’s, Brokenwood, McGuigan, Tulloch and Audrey Wilkinson, Hunter Valley Gardens, cheese and chocolate shops, and the valley’s main resorts. The long blue line of the Brokenback Range closes the view to the west.
Top things to do: Pokolbin
Taste at the classic cellar doors
Plan three or four tastings in a day, not eight. Mix one of the historic estates with a small producer, and book ahead at weekends. Our cellar door guide explains fees, bookings and which wines to try.
Find the view
The hillside cellar doors on the western side of Pokolbin, close to the Brokenback Range, look out over the whole valley floor — Audrey Wilkinson’s hilltop is the best-known example. Go late in the afternoon when the light is soft.
Break up the wine
Walk the gardens, graze the cheese, chocolate and distillery stops, or book a sunrise balloon flight before the cellar doors open.
Let someone else drive
Cellar doors are too far apart to walk between, and drink-driving limits are strictly enforced. A local wine tour with accommodation pickup solves both problems.
How to get there
- From Sydney: about 2–2.5 hours by car via the M1 Pacific Motorway and either the Hunter Expressway or the road through Cessnock. See getting to the Hunter Valley.
- From Newcastle: about one hour by car along the Hunter Expressway.
- Without a car: a day tour from Sydney is by far the easiest option; public transport does not reach the cellar doors.
Insider tips
- Most cellar doors open around 10:00 and close by about 17:00, so start early and book lunch for around 13:00.
- Weekdays are quieter and tastings are more personal; Saturdays are busiest.
- Many places to stay ask for a two-night minimum at weekends — book well ahead for spring, autumn and concert dates.
- Mobile coverage is good, but taxis and rideshare cars are scarce in the evening. Pre-book your ride back from dinner.
Best tours & tickets: Pokolbin
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to enjoy Pokolbin and the rest of the Hunter Valley:
Local wine tour from A$239 Hunter Valley: Uncork the Hunter Full-Day Wine Tour
A full day of tastings for people already staying in the valley. A local guide collects you from your accommodation and takes you round a hand-picked set of cellar doors, with cheese and chocolate tastings along the way. It often sells out on weekends.
- Pickup from accommodation in the Hunter Valley
- Wine, cheese and chocolate tastings with a local guide
- A relaxed full day with no driving
Half-day tour from A$129 Pokolbin: Hunter Valley Half-Day Tour with Cheese and Wine
A morning tour with pickup from local accommodation: three boutique wineries, private tastings and local cheeses matched to the wines. You are back by early afternoon, which leaves time for a long lunch, the gardens or the pool.
- Private tastings at three boutique wineries
- Wines matched with local cheeses
- Morning tour — your afternoon stays free
Premium small group from A$299 Hunter Valley: Premium Wine Tour with Tastings & Lunch
A premium small-group day for guests staying in the valley, with private tastings, a look at how the wine is made and lunch at Brokenwood, one of the Hunter’s best-known wineries. Pickup from local accommodation is available.
- Private tastings on a premium small-group tour
- A winery production tour
- Lunch at Brokenwood Wines
Day trip from A$229 From Sydney: Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour
The most-reviewed way to do the Hunter from Sydney without a car. A coach takes you up the motorway to wine country for tastings at three cellar doors, a look at wine production and local cheese and chocolate, with free time to buy your own lunch before the drive back.
- Tastings at three Hunter Valley cellar doors
- A behind-the-scenes look at how wine is made
- Cheese and chocolate tastings, with free time for lunch
