Finding Hunter Valley Accommodation For Travelers

The blame for the big demand for Hunter Valley accommodation rests squarely on the shoulders of Sydneysiders. That's because it is the most popular getaway out of Sydney, accessible with a brief two hour drive. Visitors come here for day trips, romantic weekends and of course - for winery and vineyard tours.

This part of New South Wales is spectacularly beautiful and lush green, with over 80 wineries. The cuisine at restaurants here is just as intoxicating as everything on the wine list. But one problem with having so much choice spread over an area that covers 12,000 sq km is that visitors find it hard to decide where to go and what kind of accommodations to choose for the stay.

The choices are dizzying for someone unfamiliar with the towns and lodging options in the area. Let's start with the most popular towns and then move to specific lodging types. The main gateway into the Hunter region is the town of Cessnock. But the town at the centre of the wine country is Pokolbin, which is located between Cessnock and Branxton.

There are also many more choices, including Wollombi Valley, Lovedate, Kurri Kurri and Barrington Tops. The most popular Hunter Valley accommodation choices for these and other towns are the hotels & resorts. Secondary choices include apartment rentals, backpackers, B&B's, guesthouses, and caravan parks & camping.

The single most popular town amongst visitors is the area around Pokolbin. As a result, the visitor facilities here are very well developed here. This includes an abundance of restaurants and cafes in town, along with hotels, resorts and guesthouses in and around the town.

For those looking for cheap lodging, backpacker hostels are available in the Pokolbin/Rothbury area and the Cessnock districts. These are expansive facilities set in or close to the vineyards, offering everything from free breakfasts and kitchen facilities to bbq's, swimming pools and saunas. Motels and motor inns can be found in Pokolbin, Cessnock, Branxton and Kurri Kurri.

For those who prefer a more intimate and isolated getaway, there are select country guesthouses and cozy Bed & Breakfasts all over the Hunter region. The best ones can be found around Pokolbin & Rothbury, with many more in Lovedale and Wollombi Valley. These are all high grade facilities, with fancy dining rooms, libraries full of books, spacious quarters and absolute privacy.

For those who prefer to get up close and personal with the lush green beauty of the region, there are many caravan parks and campsites. One of these caravan parks can be found in Dungog, alongside the Williams River. There's also a Big4 holiday park on Mount View Road in Cessnock.

As must be obvious by now, it's simply not possible to select one town and type of Hunter Valley accommodation as the best among them all. The choice will depend on the visitor's budget, number of people in the group, duration of stay and the type of activities planned for. But broadly speaking, stick to one of the locations/choices mentioned above and the trip and stay are both sure to be comfortable and enjoyable.