Hunter Valley Wine Tour

Our central meeting point for this tour will be at the Mercure Central – 818-820 George St corner Little Regent St side entrance to the Hotel in Sydney at 7:00am. Please wait on the street and not in the hotel foyer as the driver is not able to leave the vehicle unattended.

• 7:00 – Mercure Central – 818-820 George St corner Little Regent St side entrance to the Hotel
• 7:20 – Hilton Sydney Hotel – 255 Pitt St rear entrance Sydney
• 7:35 – Four Seasons Hotel Sydney – 98 Harrington St rear entrance Sydney
• 7:45 – Paradox Sydney Hotel – 27 O’Connell St Sydney (formerly Radisson Plaza Blu)
• 8:00 – Roseville Railway Station – Hill St Roseville meet at Bus Shelter (opposite Roseville Pharmacy)

Other pickup locations are available along the Pacific Highway north of Sydney, on a request basis only. Please arrive 5-10 mins prior to your nominated pickup departure time to avoid missing the bus, as this itinerary is on a time schedule with cellardoors.

At Autopia Tours, we actively promote the protection of flora and fauna on our Sydney Tours. It is our duty to ensure there is minimal disturbance to this World  Heritage Listed region and the species that call it home. Cultural sensitivity and respect for traditional owners should also be shown at all times.

Part of our responsibility is educating guests on minimal impact practices and the importance of ensuring the safety of wildlife and the environmental sustainability of the destinations we visit.

Learn more about EcoTourism: https://www.ecotourism.org.au/

Traditional Owners

Autopia Tours would like to begin by paying our respects to the traditional owners of this country, with specific acknowledgement to the Wurundjeri people. Please be conscious and respectful of the sensitivities of indigenous culture and the spiritual connection they have with the land at all times.

Wildlife Encounters

The natural behaviours of wildlife are to be respected and not interfered with. When viewing wildlife, people should take care to avoid rapid or sudden movements, which could frighten the animal, and should keep noise to a minimum and refrain from touching, petting or feeding all wildlife including birds. Contact with people can introduce diseases to wildlife and can cause them to become aggressive.

Wildlife should not be handled or fed, unless by certified wildlife handlers. Feeding wildlife can alter their natural foraging behaviour and can lead to disease or illness through contact with people and the introduction of foods that are harmful to their digestive system. Feeding wildlife can also cause them to become aggressive toward people.

Wildlife that appears to be in distress, injured or in danger should be reported immediately to the appropriate authority, such as your Guide/Tour Leader, a National Park Ranger or Visitor Centre Staff.

Protecting our National Parks

People should remain on designated walking tracks, behind safety barriers/fences and follow all directions given by the guide/tour leader. Venturing off these can alter fragile ecosystems and can harm wildlife shelters and native vegetation. There are other dangers to be aware of too, such as cliff edges, unstable rock formations, overhanging tree branches and slippery ground cover. Remaining on tracks ensures safe visitation for guests and the environment.

No flora or fauna should be removed from their natural setting. This includes dead wood, fallen leaves, flowers and so forth, as they form part of the ecosystem of the region and their removal could cause a disturbance.

Waste Management

All buses are fitted with waste bins. No organic waste should be disposed of onto the ground. Although organic, items such as banana peels, apple cores, bread and other food scraps, are not natural/native to the region and can introduce pest species, diseases or harm to wildlife if found and eaten. We recommend all passengers bring a water bottle with you on our Grampians Tour. Purchasing bottled water contributes large amounts of plastic into the landfill. Therefore, we ask guests to bring their own bottle, as there is access to water refill stations available on our vehicles. Please ensure you stay hydrated throughout the tour to reduce the risk of sun exposure and dehydration.

First Aid

All our guides carry a current Level 2 First Aid certificate. Please report any accident or illness to your tour guide. We recommend anyone with an existing medical condition to carry their medication with them on tour and to notify their tour guide at the beginning of the tour.

If you are a smoker! We ask you to refrain from smoking whilst in the company of other passengers and limit it to designated smoking areas. Smoking is not permitted on any of our vehicles, or in any type of accommodation including permanent campsites. We make frequent ‘comfort stops’ to allow free time for guests but cannot guaranteed smoke breaks. Please ensure you dispose of your cigarette butt responsibly and appropriately.

What wineries do we visit?

Our itinerary and winery stops may change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as group sizes, special events, and cellar-door closures. We work closely with several different estates, guests will get to enjoy three tastings from a variety of stops such as Irongate Estate, Savannah Estate, Constable, Tempus Two / Roche, Mount View, Tintilla Estate, Gun Dog, Mistletoe, and many more cellar-door options.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

Lunch is provided on this tour. We have designed this itinerary so guests can live like a local and explore the town of Hunter Valley Village at their own leisure. There is plenty of time for guests to purchase lunch at one of the many restaurants, pubs, or cafes, at their own expense. This does not include entry into the Hunter Valley Gardens.

What is a suitable age for this tour?

As the minimum drinking age is 18 years old, photo ID will be required. Not suitable for infants or children 17 years old and under, as it doesn’t include activities for children.

How much luggage can I bring on tour?

We ask that guests travelling on day trips bring small day packs and hand luggage only as we have limited storage onboard our vehicles. Suitcases and large backpacks must be put in storage at your hotel or bus station lockers prior to boarding our vehicles.

How fit do I need to join this tour?

A low level of fitness is required to participate in this itinerary. It’s the perfect day trip to sit back relax and reconnect with family and friends. Unfortunately, our buses are not wheelchair accessible however services animals are allowed. Please advise at the time of booking.

Do we visit the Hunter Valley Gardens?

The Hunter Valley Gardens is located in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country, however our itinerary does not feature or include entry into the gardens. We do stop near by at Hunter Valley Village for lunch, but we do not include a visit to the stunning gardens.

What happens if it rains, will the tour proceed?

In the event of rain or inclement weather, our Hunter Valley Wine Tours will still go ahead as there is nothing better than snuggling up to a glass of red wine on a rainy day.  Where possible our guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and scenic views, alternative inside tastings will be arranged in poor weather.  Should a cancellation occur you will be contacted by the provider.

Responsible consumption of alcohol? 

Due to the nature of this tour and the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, you are asked to leave the tour you will not be entitled to a refund.  Please be advised it’s illegal to consume alcohol in a moving commercial passenger vehicle.

How many people are on this tour?

We operate this tour with a maximum of 14 passengers, our vehicle is a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van. This vehicle makes for a safe & comfortable journey (air-conditioned), with large passenger windows for unobstructed views.

Our COVID Statement

For your safety, we have implemented comprehensive hygiene measures and increased regular sanitation. Temperature checks of all staff will be conducted pre-departure, with disposable face masks and hand-sanitizer provided. For more information click here.