Party Activities in Hunter Valley

Party Activities: What to Consider

Most of what a group can do in the Hunter Valley gathers around Pokolbin, where the vineyards form the backdrop for balloon flights, trail rides, Segway tracks, cooking lessons and tastings alike. Further out, Cessnock and East Maitland add something easygoing in barefoot bowls.

For an early start, Beyond Ballooning lifts off at sunrise over the Pokolbin vineyards, with exclusive flights for four to eight friends and an optional breakfast with local sparkling, From $299 per person. Hunter Valley Horses leads trail rides through bush and vines for beginners, private rides for up to 15 and horse-drawn carriage wine tours, From $129 per person. On the same Hermitage Road property, Hunter Adventure Centre mixes off-road Segway tours with an eight-lane axe throwing range, archery and laser clay shooting.

At the bench, Our Italian Table teaches pasta at Nicita Estate (From $155 per person), while Majors Lane Cooking School in Lovedale fires up barbecue, Thai and Greek classes for 6 to 18 (From $170 per person). Hunter Valley Resort + Farm in Pokolbin adds candy, pizza and chef-led cooking classes plus grape stomping, and Hollybrook Hunter Valley in Sweetmans Creek runs BYO-wine Art N Sip painting classes From $88 per person. Tastings here are reserved, not walk-in: Wine House Hunter Valley pours from 20-plus Hunter makers From $45 per person, De Iuliis Wines tours its winery before eight wines From $65 per person, Pepper Tree Wines adds a gin session and Tulloch Wines matches wine with chocolate.

A rough guide by the kind of day you're after:

Big morning: a sunrise balloon flight, then breakfast after landing.
Competitive streak: axe throwing, archery or laser clay shooting at Hunter Adventure Centre.
Low-key and inclusive: bowls at East Maitland Bowling Club or Hunter Valley Sports & Social (East Cessnock Bowling Club).
Long lunch: a hands-on class that ends with eating what you cooked.
Unhurried: a seated tasting with cheese, chocolate or charcuterie, or a painting class at Hollybrook Hunter Valley.

Narrow the field on our hot air ballooning and cooking classes pages.

Above the vines: Beyond Ballooning, with around an hour in the air at sunrise.
Through the bush: Hunter Valley Horses trail rides with views to the Broken Back Range.
Off-road: guided Segway tours at Hunter Adventure Centre, training included.
On the green: bowls in Cessnock and East Maitland, each club with a roofed green.
In the kitchen: candy, pizza and cooking classes at Hunter Valley Resort + Farm, on a 100-acre property.
At the easel: Art N Sip painting at Hollybrook Hunter Valley, with each canvas going home with its painter.

Matching the activity to the occasion

Hens and bucks: Hunter Adventure Centre has packages for both, with 4 Pines Brewery on the same site.
Team days: Tulloch Wines takes them on request; Our Italian Table runs team classes for up to 20.
Children's parties: Hunter Valley Horses lists them, with farm animal feeding on the property.
Couples and anniversaries: Beyond Ballooning flies private flights for two.
Showers: Hollybrook Hunter Valley hosts a private Art N Sip High Tea for groups of 8 or more.

Budget starting points

From $45 per person: the Wine House Hunter Valley private tasting.
From $65 per person: the De Iuliis Wines DeLuxe Winery Tour.
From $129 per person: a ride with Hunter Valley Horses.
From $155 per person and From $170 per person: the Pokolbin and Lovedale cooking schools.
From $299 per person: a flight with Beyond Ballooning.
Free: barefoot bowls on the social green at East Maitland Bowling Club.

Common Questions About Party Activities

What can a group do in the Hunter Valley besides wine tasting?

Sunrise balloon flights with Beyond Ballooning, trail rides with Hunter Valley Horses, Segway tours and axe throwing at Hunter Adventure Centre, cooking classes at Our Italian Table, Majors Lane Cooking School or Hunter Valley Resort + Farm, Art N Sip painting at Hollybrook Hunter Valley, and barefoot bowls in Cessnock or East Maitland.

Which activities suit a group with mixed fitness levels?

Hunter Valley Horses runs guided rides for beginners and horse-drawn carriage tours, East Maitland Bowling Club offers free barefoot bowls with coaching by appointment, and a seated tasting at Tulloch Wines or Wine House Hunter Valley asks nothing of anyone.

What time do Hunter Valley balloon flights take off?

Beyond Ballooning flies at sunrise over the Pokolbin vineyards, with around an hour in the air and an optional breakfast with local sparkling afterwards.

Where can we try axe throwing in the Hunter Valley?

Hunter Adventure Centre on Hermitage Road in Pokolbin has an eight-lane axe throwing range, alongside archery, laser clay shooting and Segway tours.

Are there any free group activities in the Hunter Valley?

Barefoot bowls is free on the social green at East Maitland Bowling Club, beside its outdoor bar and dining area, The Social.

Is there anything for children?

Hunter Valley Horses lists children's parties and has farm animal feeding on the same property as its trail rides.

Party Activities Hunter Valley

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