Hunter Valley Gardens

The Hunter Valley Gardens are great for a relaxing outing with the whole family. Located in the heart of a wine region, this attraction with flowers, fountains and an Irish-themed pub adds some variety to a winery-hopping Hunter Valley schedule. Children could spend hours at the themed Storybook Garden and nature lovers will appreciate the 10 themed gardens. Hunter Valley Gardens occupy 25 acres (10 hectares) at the base of the Brokenback Mountains, which provide a scenic backdrop. These innovative gardens opened in 2003 and incorporate 5 miles (8 kilometers) of manicured paths. When you visit the themed gardens, you will see that each represents a different corner of the globe. Watch a 33-foot (10-meter) tall waterfall cascade over the Sunken Garden, see the Indian Mosaic garden and admire the ornate polished marble statues in the Italian Grotto. See specimens of Australian roses in all imaginable colors. Don’t forget to breathe in the scent of the flowers the fragrance is the real highlight of this garden!Bring a picnic lunch or enjoy a bistro meal at the on-site Irish-themed pub, which also serves craft beers on tap. You can even stay the night as the pub also offers guest rooms.Children will love playing in the Storybook Garden full of statues and topiary trees in the shape of nursery rhyme characters. Enter by stepping through the pages of the giant storybook and see all the friends of Alice in Wonderland gather around for a cup of tea. Watch Humpty Dumpty on his fence and Jack and Jill on the hill.In winter it’s Snow Time in the garden, a real spectacle with penguin statues and fairy lights at night.The Hunter Valley Gardens are open daily, except on Christmas Day. The site is located in Pokolbin and can be reached by car and the Rover Coaches bus service from Hunter Valley townships. Parking is free, but you pay to enter the gardens. There are considerable discounts for children and all gardens are pram, and wheelchair, accessible.