5-Day Tour to Hunter Valley with Christmas Lights, Gardens and Wine | 9th – 13th December 2025

Today, we make our way to Moorland Cottage. Once a bustling bakehouse, it has since been transformed into a charming Devonshire tea house. Surrounded by picturesque gardens, this café provides the perfect setting for a delightful Devonshire Tea.

Just near Taree, set on the banks of the beautiful Manning River, lies the peaceful town of Cundletown. Laid out as an English village with squares and radiating roads, it offers a glimpse into the past. We visit the Cundletown Museum, where the exhibits highlight the region’s history, particularly the local dairy industry.

We then continue to Maitland, where we can unpack and relax. This will be our home for the next two nights.

Old Maitland Inn | 2 nights
Breakfast and dinner in the hotel | lunch own arrangements and cost

Today, we discover the sensational sights, colours, and fragrances of the stunning Hunter Valley Gardens. Wander through over 25 hectares of spectacular flowers, trees, and shrubs. Take in the views from the lookout, rest above the waterfall in the Sunken Garden, or step back in time with your favourite characters in the whimsical Storybook Garden.

Enjoy a lovely lunch at the Garden Terrace Restaurant before visiting the Hunter Valley Cheese Company to sample some delightful artisan cheeses. Of course, no trip to the Hunter would be complete without wine tasting, which we enjoy at the renowned McGuigan’s.

Dinner is served at Harrigan’s Irish Pub before our evening highlight: the magical Christmas Lights Spectacular. Meander through remarkable displays, including a White Christmas scene complete with a snow cave and snow-covered trees, or stroll through a sparkling Christmas bauble. This dazzling light show is sure to capture the spirit of Christmas!

Breakfast in motel | lunch in Gardens | dinner at Harrigans Irish Pub

Following breakfast, we resume our adventure and make our way to Kempsey. Today we pay homage to the King of Country with a visit to the Slim Dusty Centre. Visually rich and wonderfully varied, the museum offers an insight into Slim’s early steps into show business, his years of touring the Australian outback, and the crescendo of his celebrated career, where the sounds of country music echoed far and wide. After enjoying lunch at the centre and exploring the exhibits, we continue our travels to Ballina, where we settle in for the night.

Breakfast and dinner at the motel| Lunch at Slim Dusty Centre
Comfort Inn All Seasons, Ballina | 1 night

With our bags packed full of wonderful memories, we begin our journey home. Along the way, we stop for convenience breaks and the opportunity to purchase lunch. We return feeling festive and inspired, ready to put up our own Christmas lights—armed with plenty of bright ideas from our magical holiday.

Breakfast at hotel | Lunch on own expense