Liane Morris - Writer, Project Manager, Story Teller

On Saturday, 22 August, the Hunter Valley Highland Games will return to Saltire Estate, bringing together Scottish heritage, family entertainment and community spirit for one of the region's most unique annual events. The Games are a gathering of the clans Down Under, an action-packed and family-oriented community event with a difference, and everyone is invited!

Some wineries are built for the moment. Petersons Wines was built for the ages.

The Hunter Valley has long been known for cellar doors, restaurants, and gourmet offerings, but a regular fresh-produce market hasn’t traditionally been part of the Pokolbin experience.

For many Newcastle families, Disney On Ice has become a winter tradition. It’s the kind of event that draws together parents, grandparents and children for a few hours of shared wonder. This July, the beloved production returns to Newcastle Entertainment Centre with Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars skating into town from 9-12 July.

Newcastle is a coastal city built on the ocean, shaping the skyline, the lifestyle and, increasingly, the plate.

There’s something shifting in the heart of Pokolbin, and if you’ve visited Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort before, you might think you already know it.

In a region defined by choice, few Hunter Valley estates offer the sheer breadth of experience that Bimbadgen does. Wine of pedigree, multiple dining styles, an on-site distillery, premium accommodation, concerts, weddings and vineyard experiences - all anchored by two of the region’s oldest vineyards and one of its most recognisable hilltop sites, framed by century-old fig trees and sweeping views to the Brokenback Range.

Few names in Australian wine carry the weight, respect, and recognition of Brokenwood Wines.

Few names in Australian wine carry the weight, respect, and recognition of Brokenwood Wines.

The Deck Café and Gartelmann Wines have long been one of the Hunter Valley’s most recognisable and beloved destinations.

The festive season in Newcastle is more than just tinsel and lights - it’s a time for connection, joy, and celebration. From the heart of the city to the sparkling Harbour Foreshore, City of Newcastle is rolling out its annual calendar of Christmas cheer and New Year festivities, offering something for everyone. Whether it’s wandering through a glowing Christmas precinct, snapping selfies with Santa, or dancing your way into 2026, the city is alive with energy, creativity, and community spirit.

Each summer, as twilight settles over Pokolbin, a familiar sparkle returns to the heart of the Hunter Valley. The Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular, running from 7 November to 26 January 2026, promises a truly dazzling season of festive joy, community spirit, and breathtaking light displays with more magic, more colour, and more reasons to visit than ever before.

Slip on your platform boots and say a big “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” to Newcastle’s next big night out, because Mamma Mia! is set to light up the Civic Theatre this October. Celebrating 25 dazzling years of standing ovations around the world, the ABBA-fuelled musical promises romance, comedy, and a whole lot of disco-tinged joy. In short: the party of the year is about to hit town, and everyone’s invited.

Perched on a ridge in Pokolbin with sweeping views of vines and the Brokenback mountain range, Bonvilla Estate is a destination where wine, beauty and hospitality meet in perfect harmony. This once-quiet vineyard has undergone one of the Hunter Valley’s most remarkable transformations, re-emerging as a vibrant cellar door, event space and luxury retreat that celebrates the very best of the region.

Georgia Smith has always believed that managing a holiday home is about more than keys, calendars and clean sheets — it’s about people. It’s about trust, relationships, and the little things that turn a short-term stay into a lasting memory.

When Chef James Orlowski moved Estancia to its new home at Adina Vineyard & Olive Grove earlier this year, he wasn’t just relocating a restaurant — he was planting roots.

Latitude 32 Wines, nestled along Hermitage Road in the heart of Pokolbin, is raising a glass to its first year of operation. Since opening its doors in April 2024, the boutique winery has quickly established a name for itself, earning an impressive four and a half stars from James Halliday and building a strong following thanks to its relaxed, modern approach to the Hunter Valley wine experience.

At the centre of this story is the Namba family, whose influence spans three acclaimed Japanese restaurants: Nagisa, Susuru, and ÂPÉ Chilean Nikkei Restaurant.

The Lovedale Long Lunch invites you to experience the region's finest food, wine, and music in a weekend celebration that has become synonymous with excellence in the heart of wine country.

When you think of iconic events in the Hunter region, few match the Lovedale Long Lunch – the largest and longest running wine, food and music line-up that has become a prominent annual event and a Hunter Valley institution in itself.