About Hunter Valley Gardens
Highlights Of Hunter Valley Gardens
- Plan a Hunter Valley Gardens tour, often known as the land of wonder and magic in the heart of the Hunter Valley wine country, and get a chance to spend some time in the lap of nature.
- Traverse through the many themed gardens in Hunter Valley, from the Italian Grotto and Sunken Garden, to the Chinese garden, Indian Garden, Rose Garden and more.
- Make your way out of the intertwined hedges of the French-style Border Garden, or relax near the koi pond at the Oriental Japanese and Korean Gardens here.
- Make some time to indulge in the different events and programs here, including the Rose Spectacular, the Spring Festival or the Carnival of Colour, among others.
- Bring out the child in you as you make your way to the different interesting rides here, from the 25-metre-tall Ferris Wheel, to the illuminated carousel, or even the super slide, swing chair and inflatables
What To See In Hunter Valley Gardens
One of the best things to see in the Hunter Valley Gardens is the Christmas Lights Spectacular extravaganza. A scene seemingly out of a Christmas movie, this event is one of the most popular events in the region, where you can live out your magical Christmas dreams. Having won an award for being one of the best events in Sydney in 2019, the Christmas Lights Spectacular is also one of the biggest lights displays of the event. In this display over 2 million bulbs and lights are used to decorate the entire place.
A visit to the Hunter Valley Botanical Gardens will remain incomplete without exploring the 10 differently themed gardens here. With the magnificent Brokeback Mountain Ranges flanking the garden area, you must definitely spend some time in all of the themed gardens here. These include the Chinese Garden, the Indian Garden, the Formal Garden, the Oriental (Japanese and Korean) Garden, Italian Grotto, Sunken Garden, Border Garden, Rose Garden, the Storybook Garden and the Lakes Walk.
The Hunter Valley Gardens also boasts of a Shopping Village, where you can also shop for antique jewellery or vintage artefacts. The Shopping Village is one of the best attractions in the garden, and is complete with outlets and establishments to indulge in retail therapy for souvenirs and other memorabilia. Enjoy some coffee or a glass of wine, or even gorge on a delicious meal at one of the many cafes or restaurants here. Some of the popular shops at the Shopping Village include the Hunter Valley Christmas Shop, the Australian Alpaca Barn, and Country in the Gardens.
You can also find numerous different rides for visitors of all ages in the Hunter Valley Botanical Gardens. These Hunter Valley Gardens rides are typically operational only during events here, which makes the experience far more exciting and adventurous. Some of the best rides here include the Tea Cup ride, which takes on a swirling ride as you are left shuffling from one side to another. You can also enjoy the Swing Chair, which is a ride wherein you sit on a swing that is then swung high up in the air. The giant Ferris Wheel, which offers panoramic views of the gardens from 25 metres above the ground is another famous ride here. Other rides include the carousel, the Super Slide and the Hunter Valley Gardens train.
For those visiting the gardens with their little ones, the best attraction here is the Hunter Valley Gardens Mega Creatures, which includes the Walking Dinosaur, the Mega Creatures Trail App as well as the Secret Dino Egg Hunt, among others. Don’t forget to marvel at the giant animatronics of dragons, dinosaurs like the T-Rex, Triceratops, Stegosaurus, the Woolly Mammoth, flying Pterosaur as well as the skeleton of a huge Brachiosaurus here.
Every winter, the Hunter Valley Garden authorities organise the Snow Time in the Garden event, which becomes a major attraction here as well as in the region during this time. This event gives visitors a perfect chance to enjoy the cold winter season together with their near and dear ones. In addition to a snow zone, you can also indulge in various activities and attractions during this event, from ice skating rinks and snow rides, to toboggan slides and more
Tips To Visit Hunter Valley Gardens
- When planning a visit to the Hunter Valley Garden, make sure to wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes such as sneakers, since you will have to walk a lot inside the garden premises.
- Always carry a bottle of water when visiting the gardens, since exploring it in its entirety can get very tiring and strenuous.
- It is also recommended to carry a valid proof of identity (such as your passport) along with your tickets when visiting the park.
- It is advisable to use the Hunter Valley Gardens map to plan your day out here in a convenient and easy way.
- Since weekends are typically crowded here, it is best to visit the Hunter Valley Gardens on a weekday, during the first half of the day.
- When visiting the gardens, make sure to spend time at the Shopping Village and the restaurants here, for a great overall experience of this amazing place.
Hunter Valley Gardens FAQs
How long do you spend at Hunter Valley Gardens?
You must ideally spend at least 3 to 4 hours at the Hunter Valley Gardens. This duration is sufficient to explore all the gardens, while also spending time at the themed gardens, enjoying the rides, shopping at the Shopping Village or even indulging in the events here.
How tall is the Hunter Valley Gardens Ferris wheel?
The Hunter Valley Gardens Ferris Wheel is 25 metres tall, and offers panoramic views of the gardens and the surrounding Brokeback Mountain Ranges, in addition to a majority of wineries of the Hunter Valley.
What is special about Hunter Valley Gardens?
The Hunter Valley Gardens is located in the centre of the Hunter Valley wine country, and is best known all over Gold Coast for its 10 internationally themed gardens and other attractions. It is one of the only places in the country where you can find such unique gardens, which not only boast of unique and exotic plant and flower species, but are also beautifully decorated with waterfalls, sculptures, topiaries, and more. There are over 6000 trees and 60000 shrubs in the gardens, from different parts of the world, which make this place quite special.
What is the best time to visit Hunter Valley Gardens?
The best time to visit Hunter Valley Gardens is during the autumn season, from the months of March to May. This is when the weather here is pleasant, and there is little to no rainfall, which makes exploring the gardens rather comfortable and easy. Alternatively, you must also visit the garden during the early morning hours on weekdays, which is when there are relatively lesser crowds here
Are dogs allowed in Hunter Valley Gardens?
While pets of any kind, including dogs are not allowed in Hunter Valley Gardens, registered guide dogs, service dogs and companion dogs are allowed into the gardens with their owners, as long as there is proper and official documentation available for the same.
