THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Discover the best of Australia’s oldest wine region with an eight-hour guided tour from Newcastle, combining exclusive winery tours, craft beers, and local spirits. Taste premium wines, artisanal beers, and enjoy a fresh lunch in a warm, small-group setting.
Discover the best of Australia’s oldest wine region with an eight-hour guided tour from Newcastle, combining exclusive winery tours, craft beers, and local spirits. Taste premium wines, artisanal beers, and enjoy a fresh lunch in a warm, small-group setting.
Book with Dave's Travel Group
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Dave's Travel Group · Marrickville, New South Wales
Just an hour’s drive from Newcastle lies Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest and most celebrated wine region, where rolling vineyards stretch beneath clear blue skies and family-run wineries serve as guardians of time-honored traditions. The Grains & Grapes tour offers an immersive eight-hour experience that blends rich flavors of handcrafted wines, local beers, and artisanal spirits with intimate behind-the-scenes access to producers who shape this remarkable region. Starting from the Ampol Cameron Park pickup point, this tour ensures a personalized journey with a small group setting, letting you dive deep into the essence of Hunter Valley’s vibrant craft beverage scene.
What sets this tour apart is the balanced fusion of grapes and grains, providing guests the unique option to tailor their tastings. Whether you lean towards complex wines paired with chocolate or favor the robust charm of local craft beers, every palate is satisfied. On arrival at the first winery, you’ll explore vineyards and production areas up close, guided by passionate experts who reveal how terroir shapes each bottle. The wine tastings that follow are thoughtful and unhurried, paired at key stops with rich local cheeses or, alternatively, fine beer paddles to showcase the region’s brewing mastery.
Midday, enjoy a fresh, café-style lunch—often wood-fired pizzas or salads—accompanied by your choice of wine, beer, or soft drink, setting the tone for camaraderie and shared discovery. Post-lunch, the tour visits a family-owned distillery cellar door, where you’ll sample premium local gin, vodka, and liqueurs, adding a sparkling highlight to the day.
The tour’s intimacy is further enhanced by visiting small, lesser-known producers off the beaten path, granting rare insight into Hunter Valley’s artisanal community. Small group vehicles, with typically 12 to 22 seats, foster conviviality and personalize the experience, allowing guests to connect with “Dave,” the knowledgeable local guide passionate about showing the best of this world-class region.
This adventure is ideal for travelers keen on savoring authentic regional flavors without the rush of larger commercial tours. Accessible for ages 18 and older, with foldable wheelchair accommodations on request, the trip strikes the perfect balance of comfort, education, and indulgence. From the exquisite vineyard vistas to the enthusiastic winemakers and brewers pouring their latest creations, the Grains & Grapes tour frames Hunter Valley as a vibrant destination for food and drink lovers ready to taste the heart of Australia’s craft beverage culture.
easy.
8 hours.
Moderate fitness required to enjoy walking short distances and standing during tastings comfortably.
Yes, the tour departs from Ampol Cameron Park in Newcastle, with transportation included to and from the Hunter Valley.
The standard package includes tastings at two or three wineries, local beer or wine, chocolate or cheese pairings, and a distillery tasting.
Most dietary needs can be managed with advance notice; vegans should contact the operator ahead as not all wines are vegan friendly.
No, this tour is strictly for guests aged 18 and older due to alcohol consumption.
Vehicles accommodate foldable wheelchairs but do not have lifts or ramps, so guests must notify the operator in advance.
Yes, you can purchase takeaway bottles at many stops, but these are not included in the tour price.
Hunter Valley is Australia's oldest wine region, established in the 1820s, with vineyards still run by pioneer families.
Many wineries in Hunter Valley practice sustainable viticulture and environmentally conscious production to preserve the region’s natural beauty.
Dave's Travel Group is a Sydney-based tour operator offering curated day tours and walking experiences across New South Wales and Tasmania. The business operates a diverse roster of guided experiences, including city walking tours (Bondi Beach Walking Tour, Sydney City Walking Tour, The Rocks Pub Tour), brewery and pub tours (3 x 3 Sydney Brewery Tour, Marrickville Brewery Tour, Sydney Walking Brewery Tour), food-focused walks (Dave's Eats Hobart, Marrickville Munch) and regional day trips to the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley and Hobart. Many itineraries connect guests with local producers for tastings of wine, cheese, spirits and local beer or chocolate where available. Selected tour highlights are described in published listings: the Hunter Valley Grains & Grapes tour includes exclusive tastings at family-run wineries with a shared lunch; the Roos, Blues & Views – Dave's Blue Mountains tour combines an Australian animal park with Scenic World options and small group guiding; Dave's Eats Hobart and the Hobart Liquid History Pub Tour focus on waterfront producers and historic pubs with tastings. Several departures operate from Sydney and some tours depart from Newcastle or the Hunter Valley. Offerings also include listed extras and merchandise, such as a Scenic World optional extra and a Dave's Eats Hobart T‑shirt. Tour descriptions, availability and booking information are published on partner booking platforms and The Adventure Collective listings.
Book with Dave's Travel Group