Hungry for adventure? I've got you covered when it comes to the best dining spots and things to do.
The Trading Post Laguna
Discover a hidden gem for your next coffee, lunch, tipples or a Friday night dinner. It is located only 4.5 km from Little Valey Farm and is nestled along Great North Road, just past the Laguna Public School. Take a seat on the verandah and soak up the natural beauty of Laguna Village.
This unique establishment is a fusion of a bar, cafe and restaurant. You can start your day right with breakfast from 8 am and enjoy a casual lunch any day of the week.
Friday night dinners are a must. The last seating for dinner is 8:30 pm, so make sure you make an online reservation. Menu here. 4998 8244. The Trading Post
Breakfast from 8 am, Lunch 7 Days and dinner on Friday nights only.
Laguna Village Providore (fruit and veg shop) at the Trading Post Laguna.
Explore the wonderful selection at Laguna Village Providore, where an array of fresh fruits and vegetables steal the spotlight. Indulge in a tantalising cheese platter, grazing platter, and freshly baked bread. Contact Michelle at (02) 4038 5004 to place your cheese platter pre-orders. Laguna Village Providore
Wollombi Village, a 10-minute drive
The serene Wollombi Village is only a ten-minute drive. It boasts a charming bushland backdrop, rich cultural sites, and a laid-back ambience, offering a perfect refuge for those searching for a peaceful getaway. The village may be small, with only a few daytime dining options, but its beauty and serenity are bound to leave a lasting impression.
Myrtle & Stone, This gem of a country cafe, serves up mouthwatering breakfast and lunch dishes with warm and welcoming country hospitality. And the best part? It's only a quick ten-minute drive away! Open seven days a week, you can enjoy their delectable menu starting at 7 am on weekdays and 8 am on weekends. Be sure to stop by before their last lunch serving at 2 pm.
*Wollombi Kitchen & NEXT DOOR Cafe. If you're in the mood for some delicious daytime coffee, sandwiches, or cakes to enjoy in or take out, this welcoming spot.
Brothers Wine. Noyce Brothers Wine Head over to the cellar door to get your hands on some exquisite wine and do a tasting with Julie. While you're there, take a moment to appreciate the breathtaking formal garden at the back and indulge in a fun game of giant chess. Closed Tue/Wed.
*Wollombi Tavern: The courtyard area is a popular spot for locals to enjoy drinks and live music. It's a good, relaxing, unpretentious place for an afternoon beer. The venue offers casual pub lunch and dinner but go early to beat the rush. Menu here. The last food is served by 7 pm mid-week and 8 pm on weekends. Seating is outdoors, so rug up on cool nights. Phone 4998 3261.
“Make sure you plan and book in advance, as some businesses are not open daily and cafes and restaurants close early in Wollombi Valley. So be prepared.”
Restaurants in Pokolbin, Lovedale, Mt View and Broke. 40-minute drive.
Bistro Molines, - quintessentially Hunter Valley and an outstanding lunchtime experience with amazing vineyard views. Secure your booking via their website, or you will miss out. It’s a dining experience not to miss when in the Hunter and one of our FAVOURITE places. Casual chic dress code. Book this place early in advance.
Autumn Image thanks to Bistro Molines
Muse Restaurant, - outstanding and the finest place to dine for true food connoisseurs. Book late afternoon or early dinner and make it a memorable dining experience not to be missed for foodies. Smart casual attire as it’s a more formal dining experience.
Leaves & Fishes is a charming casual restaurant in Lovedale with great light snacks, friendly service, and a relaxing location. Go for a casual lunchtime sitting by the dam. Table service on the balcony can be booked early, or you can drop in to enjoy a light snack in the serene garden area.
Cessnock: If you pass by Cessnock, it's a service town so you will see all the supermarkets, chemists and petrol stations. If you are there and want something casual to eat, check out The Kiosk at the Cessnock Tennis Club for its daytime casual vibes and simple but excellent café food. The Kiosk at the Cessnock Tennis Club
Other restaurants to check out:
Margans, Muse Kitchen, Pigs Peaks, Amanda’s on the Edge and Lovedale Smokehouse.
Saddles Mt White is my favourite bakehouse.
If driving from Sydney along the M1, book an early lunch at Saddles Mt White, and check in at the farm at 3-4 pm. It is a must for foodies and people who appreciate elegant Australian homestead architecture. The design is inspiring, and the food and service are always outstanding. There is a coffee van, so you can sit by the lovely dam if you want something more daytime casual.
Tours
*Grape Experience Tours. Looking for a delightful tour experience? Grape Experience Tours offers mini-bus tours with friendly, experienced guides Melissa and Mark. They even provide pick-up and drop-off services for your convenience. To book, get in touch with Melissa here or phone 0414457956.
Photo credit Tourist Drive 33
Get Active
BYO Bicycles. The best and most relaxing rides are down Watagan Creek Road, which are road & gravel (20-40 km). Wollombi rides are for experienced riders only, especially on the weekends when there is a lot of traffic on the narrow road between Laguna and Wollombi.
Horse Riding in the Hunter
If coming from Sydney or the Central Coast, book a horse riding experience at Glenwoth Valley, just off the M1 on the Tourist Drive Route 33. If you are heading up to Pokolbin or Lovedale, book horse riding at Hunter Valley Horses, about 40 mins from our farm.
Bush lookout and hikes
Finchley Lookout. Looking out across the remote wilderness from Finchley lookout, you would never know you were just a few hours from Sydney or Newcastle—drive time approx 35 minutes.
*If there has been rain, expect some creek crossings, and you will definitely need a SUV/4WD.
The other lookout and hike is Flat Rock Lookout Correbare State Forest. Hikes and lookouts. Please Google and do your online research for this, as you could get very lost on a hike.
Wollombi Village Brook is an easy 1 km nature walk. Start at the village Museum and head down to the brook. Download the map here.
Wine Trail
Start with a casual wine tasting with Julie at Noyce Brothers Wine in Wollombi, then drive 2kms to Undercliff Vineyard (phone first), in Yango Creek Road; a must-visit is Krinklewood in Broke (40 mins drive); there are heaps of places to stop and enjoy, so take your time. Next, check out the Mt View drive and head to Pokolbin, where all the big cellar doors are and lunchtime places. Drive back via the loop road Cessnock-Wollombi or vice versa. You can use google maps once you are in the mobile range in Wollombi.
Other places to enjoy around Pokolin and Lovedale, Broke.
VAMP by Lisa McGuigan. Have you tried the decadent and inspirational cellar door that takes you to another dimension? It's one of my favourites, so I highly recommend checking it out.
OTHER INFO
*Pokolbin vineyards, concerts, and hot air balloon rides are located 40 minutes away. the event company.
*Rain equals mud at concerts and on the farm, so bring boots.
*No mobile reception in Laguna, only at Wollombi Village.
*Businesses close early in the country, so pre-book and plan your dinning options. The Hunter is all about long lunches, so book a place and pick up a simple grazing platter for dinner to enjoy back at the cabin.
*Bring cash for small businesses as Wollombi Village has no ATM.
Notes
Large grocery shops are best done before getting here. The closest large grocery shop is Aldi (Syd) Berowra or Cessnock, to the North is 40 km from us. If coming from the Central Coast, pick something up there. Basic grocery essentials are available at the Trading Post and Laguna Village Providore.
If travelling down the M1, expect Friday night traffic delays. Plan at least 2.5 hours. If there is rain, expect a more extended trip and follow LIVE TRAFFIC for travel times.
Kindly be advised that the prices above are merely recommendations and are subject to change by the service providers. It would be best to contact them directly for accurate & updated information. We sincerely thank you for supporting the local businesses in the valley.
Laguna and Wollombi surrounded by National Parks and State Forest.