July 3, 2026
Our kid friendly guide to the Hunter Valley these July school holidays. The vines are bare, the air is cool,...
The Hunter Valley has a well-earned reputation as Australia’s premier wine destination, but ask any family who’s made the trip in the school holidays and they’ll tell you something else entirely. It’s one of the best winter escapes for kids in NSW, full stop.
Just two hours from Sydney and 50 minutes from Newcastle, the Hunter Valley in July is packed with things to do. The vines are bare, the air is cool, the crowds are manageable, and there’s never been more on offer for families who just want a few days away from screens and routine.
Here’s our guide to making the most of it.
Before you rush off to the snow and the wildlife park, start your Hunter Valley adventure the relaxed way, with a morning visit to our cellar door on Hermitage Road, Pokolbin.
While the adults settle in for a seated wine tasting overlooking the vines, the kids are far from forgotten. Our children’s activity pack keeps little ones happily entertained with activities, a drink and a snack while you work your way through our estate-grown range. We’re pouring Semillon, Verdelho and Chardonnay, along with a beautiful Rosé. Our reds include a Merlot Cabernet blend, Cabernet Franc and Shiraz, all grown right here in the Hunter Valley.
It’s the kind of unhurried, genuinely warm experience that sets the tone for a great family holiday. Children are completely at home here. They’re free to explore the property, meet our resident babydoll sheep, chickens and dogs, and soak up the vineyard surroundings. Walk-ins are always welcome, though we’d recommend booking ahead so we can have the little ones’ packs ready to go.
McCaffrey’s Estate is a dog friendly winery in the Hunter Valley. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome at our Pokolbin cellar door, so there’s no need to leave your four-legged family member behind.
McCaffrey’s Estate cellar door, 614 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin. Open daily 10am–5pm. Book a tasting here.
If there’s one thing that makes the winter school holidays in the Hunter Valley genuinely magical, it’s this. Hunter Valley Gardens transforms into a winter wonderland complete with a 45-metre ice toboggan, an ice-skating rink, a snow play zone, amusement rides and roving entertainment.
Snow Time runs from Saturday 27 June to Sunday 26 July 2026. The gardens open at 9am and Snow Time activities run from 9:30am to 4:30pm, with last entry for activities at 3pm.
The ice toboggan is the undisputed star of the show and kids (and plenty of adults) will want to go again and again. The snow play zone is perfect for younger children to build snowmen and make snow angels, while the junior section of the ice skating rink gives smaller kids a safe space to find their feet on the ice.
One tip: book your tickets online in advance. Sessions fill up fast during school holidays, particularly on weekends, so arrive early and head straight to the toboggan before queues build.
After the excitement of the snow, this one’s a brilliant wind-down and surprisingly competitive among kids and adults alike.
Located within the Hunter Valley Gardens village on Broke Road, Aqua Golf lets you challenge your swing by hitting balls toward floating targets on a large lake, with prizes including vouchers for boutique shopping, accommodation and dining. The 18-hole Putt Putt course winds through gardens beside the lake and is suitable for all ages and experience levels.
A combo deal is available for both Aqua Golf and Putt Putt at just $15 per person, making it one of the most affordable activities in the region. No bookings required for groups under 15, so it’s easy to slot in between other stops.
A trip to Hunter Valley Wildlife Park in nearby Nulkaba is a hit with animal lovers of all ages. During school holidays it’s open every day for an interactive experience where kids can hand-feed kangaroos and camels, and even pat a koala or wombat during daily keeper talks.
The park is home to native Australian animals alongside some exotic species too. Children love watching the meerkats, seeing the lions and looking up at the giraffes, and older kids can book private tours to get even closer to the animals.
Pack a picnic or make use of the BBQ facilities on site. It makes for a lovely slow afternoon after a big morning at the snow.
Allow at least two to three hours.
For families with older kids or those who just want to stretch their legs in the fresh winter air, the Hermitage Road Cycleway is a lovely way to see the valley. This dedicated 10.6km sealed path from the New England Highway to Broke Road passes more than a dozen wineries and is flat enough for kids on bikes of most ages. You can hire bikes locally, with some providers offering delivery to your accommodation.
It passes right by McCaffrey’s Estate, so there’s always a reason to stop in.
For families with older kids or teenagers, Go Karts Go runs the Hunter region’s biggest four-stroke go-kart track with an 850-metre course. Junior karts cater to kids from five years of age, and twin-seat karts let adults ride alongside younger children. There’s also an 18-hole putt putt course on-site with a racing car theme modelled on Bathurst’s Mount Panorama – a good alternative if Aqua Golf is busy.
No family trip to the Hunter Valley is complete without a stop at the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company on Broke Road. It is a chocolate lover’s paradise, tastings, handmade truffles and fudge, and the kind of shop children never want to leave.
If you’re coming for a few days, make the most of it by staying on an estate. Our Cabernet and Merlot Cottages at McCaffrey’s Estate are self-contained two-bedroom retreats nestled among the vines, with wood fires, kitchens, verandahs and vineyard views. Families tell us that waking up surrounded by vines, the kids running between the rows and evenings by the fire are some of their most memorable holiday moments.
Both cottages are just steps from the cellar door, so a morning tasting before the day’s adventures couldn’t be easier.
Day 1: Morning wine tasting and kids’ activity pack at McCaffrey’s Estate, lunch at Harrigan’s Hunter Valley, afternoon at Snow Time in the Garden (book tickets in advance).
Day 2: Hunter Valley Wildlife Park in the morning, Aqua Golf and Putt Putt after lunch, and Hunter Valley Chocolate Company on the way back.
Day 3: Hermitage Road Cycleway ride, Go Karts Go for older kids.
The Hunter Valley in winter is one of those places that surprises people every time. The pace slows, the air is fresh and cool, and there’s somehow enough to keep every member of the family genuinely happy – which, as any parent knows, is no small achievement.
We’d love to be your first stop. Come and say hello.
McCaffrey’s Estate 614 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320 Open daily 10am–5pm 0487 809 888 mccaffreysestate.com.au
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