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I'm planning a trip away for the Hunter Valley.
Wondering what are the must visit places and some photogenic locations for photos?

Any suggestion and hints are welcomed

The Hunter Valley gardens...I'm not sure of the correct name.....an absolute must see. Costs around $20 and is worth every sou! Expect to take 4 hours to see it all.

Matt. K wrote:The Hunter Valley gardens...I'm not sure of the correct name.....an absolute must see. Costs around $20 and is worth every sou! Expect to take 4 hours to see it all.

Also check out Casurina Winery - they have themed accomodation which is pretty funny, they also have nice gardens.

My other recommendation is a church called Nulkaba just outside Cessnock on the road to the Hunter Valley - It's a non demoninational church (for weddings mainly - no church services) with very nice gardens and a cemetery next door.
http://www.weddingnsw.com/churches/church071.htm

Yip,

I assume by Hunter Valley, you mean the vineyards around Pokolbin as the Hunter Valley extends way past Singleton

As Matt said, the Gardens is a must see, go to http://www.hvg.com.au/ for more details.

You may find the odd vineyard to take photos of

Book yourself for a balloon ride, great photos can be had in the right conditions. I've always wanted to do this.
http://www.balloonaloft.com/

The Maitland Gaol is also interesting if you want to travel a bit further afield.

I'm sure Stubbsy will have some good info once he sees this thread.

Have fun,

André

Yip

A lot depends on where in the valley you're going to be. As already said Hunter Valley Gardens is well worth a visit if you're interested in flower shots. This time of year the vineyards all look great too since we're approaching harvest in around 4 weeks so there will be plenty of nice long rows of green vines. Tyrrell's vineyards has some interesting spots - have a look HERE

If you make it down to Newcastle there is some interesting stuff too - a walk along the Newcastle harbour foreshore is great on weekends as is Lake Macquarie for boating. If you give some more details of where you'll be I can give some more precise details.

Thanks guys, really great tips

Peter, as for initial plan, I will be staying in the Mercue Hotel of Hunter Valley's Gardens. So will be fairly in the heart of the gardens.

Bump?

Yip,

tells us a bit of what you want to do, time you have, are you willing to travel or would prefer to stay around the vineyards? Any specific type of photography you want to do? You are in the vineyards, lots to photograph just around there, just need to drive around, photo opportunity around every corner.

All within easy driving distance, Watagans, Morpeth, Maitland Goal, Paterson, Lake Macquarie/Newcastle area then has heaps of locations.

Cheers,

André

Yip

Is it this weekend? I was up there tonight visiting friends who own a vineyard and they start harvest tomorrow morning (very early this year) so it's a great time to be in the vineyards - lots to see and do.

And I agree with what André said - tell us your intentions and we can help you flesh them out. How far afield are you prepared to travel?

stubbsy wrote:And I agree with what André said - tell us your intentions and we can help you flesh them out. How far afield are you prepared to travel?

Sorry for the confusions caused.

Yeah, I'm going over there this long weekend, staying there for 3 days starting saturday and I'm willing to travel within 1 hour driving distance from the centre of the gardens.

Will be interested in portraits and

At this moment, there is no itinerary planed as yet, so will like some suggestions.

OK

As I said it's harvest time - go to Tyrrells they'll most likely be picking and you can get shots of fruit being tipped into crushers etc - the vines are nice and close too so you should be able to get some closeups of fruit if its not picked and there is a good view of the Brokenback Ranges. The Hunter Valley Gardens are a must (but Sunday will be better weather). Allow half a day and take water. Newcastle and Lake Macquarie are 1 hour away. I'd suggest a walk along Newcastle foreshore (see shots HERE) plus there are lots of Australia Day activities in Newcastle (details HERE) including a vintage car show and firing of the guns at Fort Scratchley

Some of my vineyard shots are HERE and some from HVG are HERE.

On your way to or from the vineyards stop at Kurri Kurri if you're interested in something a touch different - there are a number of murals around town (examples HERE)

Thank you Peter, much appreciated

Yip,

as Peter says

If you want a very nice view of the vineyards, drive to the top of Polkolbin Mountain Road. Basically, at the end of Macdonald road, past Lindemans, turn right and drive along the gravel road, up the mountain, you will get a great panoramic view over the vineyards when you get to the top. Close to the top, just stick to the left when you get at an intersection.

The town of Morpeth is also nice to visit, a little historical village just outside of Maitland.

Have fun,

André