Private Luxury
Tour
All Weather
Tour
10 Hours
Duration
Operating Days: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
Departure: 07:30
Estimated Tour End: 17:30 (05:30 pm)
Venture into the birthplace of Australian wine on a luxury all‑inclusive private tour crafted for travellers who appreciate authenticity, craftsmanship, and intimate regional experiences. Just 2.5 hours from Sydney, the Hunter Valley reveals a rare blend of heritage and innovation, where vineyards dating back to the early 1800s sit beside contemporary boutique producers. Your journey begins with a behind‑the‑scenes introduction to the winemaking process — from vineyard to barrel to glass — guided by passionate experts. Enjoy premium tastings at two of the region’s most celebrated cellar doors and savour a shared table lunch showcasing the Hunter’s seasonal flavours. The day concludes with a leisurely exploration of the award‑winning gardens, where themed pathways, vibrant blooms, sculpted landscapes and tranquil water features create a serene, picturesque finale.
Travel north across Sydney Harbour Bridge and through the leafy North Shore before the landscape opens into sandstone ridges, national parks, and the rolling countryside of the Hunter Valley. After a brief refreshment stop, your journey continues through Cessnock and into the heart of wine country, where boutique estates, family‑run vineyards, and roaming kangaroos set the scene for an unforgettable day.
Your visit to De Iuliis begins with an exclusive behind‑the‑scenes winery tour, offering a close look at the craftsmanship behind one of the Hunter Valley’s most awarded boutique producers, led by winemaker Mike De Iuliis — Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year (2015). Explore the working winery, fermentation spaces, and barrel room as your host explains how Semillon and Shiraz evolve from vineyard to bottle. Following the tour, enjoy a premium seated tasting featuring a curated selection of De Iuliis’ top‑rated wines—each reflecting the precision and regional character that have earned the estate a 5 Red Star Halliday rating and Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year titles in 2016 and 2022. Known for its trophy‑winning Semillon and Shiraz, De Iuliis continues to set regional benchmarks through innovation, sustainability, and meticulous winemaking. The tasting is complemented by artisan Hunter Belle cheeses, thoughtfully selected to enhance the flavour profile of each wine.
Your experience at Thomas Wines offers a deep dive into the Hunter Valley’s two signature wines: Semillon and Shiraz. Precision has defined the estate since its first vintage in 1997. Led by Andrew Thomas — a three‑time Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year — together with his son and assistant winemaker Dan, the winery has earned numerous accolades, including 5 Red Stars and Top 100 Wineries in the Halliday Wine Companion, as well as 2026 Cellar Door of the Year, recognising its exceptional quality, hospitality, and regional leadership. During your premium seated tasting, you’ll explore a curated selection of single‑vineyard wines, including the iconic Braemore Semillon and the highly awarded Kiss Shiraz. Guided by knowledgeable hosts, this experience reveals how terroir, craftsmanship, and meticulous winemaking shape the purity, structure, and longevity that Thomas Wines is renowned for.
Enjoy a relaxed yet refined two‑course lunch at the newly opened Iron Gate Kitchen, served in a warm, communal table‑share style. Fresh, seasonal ingredients and Mediterranean‑inspired flavours create a welcoming midday pause, with dietary requirements accommodated when advised in advance.
Wander through 14 hectares of beautifully crafted landscapes at Hunter Valley Gardens, where ten internationally inspired garden worlds unfold across gentle hills and winding pathways. Follow eight kilometres of scenic trails leading to tranquil ponds, sculpted topiary, cascading waterfalls and whimsical Storybook scenes hidden among the blooms. With 6,000 trees, 600,000 shrubs and more than a million ground covers from across the globe, the gardens offer a living tapestry of colour, texture and artistry — a serene and enchanting finale to your Hunter Valley journey.
Private signature tours are managed through a life booking system and can be purchased
until 17:00 (5:00 pm) AEST two days before departure.
Remember to apply the current promo code to receive discount featured on our home page.
Price per group
for travel period between
1 January 2026 – 31 August 2027
From AUD $1,833.00
Private signature tours are managed through a life booking system and can be purchased
until 17:00 (5:00 pm) AEST two days before departure.
Remember to apply the current promo code to receive discount featured on our home page.
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No difference if you are an early bird or the one who enjoys sleeping in; our driver guide will pick you up at the most suitable time from your hotel or private address. Although remember, there is nothing better that making it to desired destination ahead of big crowds and be able to enjoy location’s beauty at own peace and serenity.
Your private tour will conclude back at your accommodation or any other convenient CBD (downtown) location, domestic and international airports, or cruise terminal.
Whether you arriving to domestic or international airport terminal (Kingsford Smith Airport – Sydney) for short layover time before boarding a cruise, meeting your next flight, or having some hours to spare until your accommodation’s check in time, private tour is the ultimate way to maximise your experience. We will track actual landing time and adjust your pick-up at the airport accordingly. In a blink of eye, you can be exploring the best that Sydney and the region has to offer.
To connect with your next travel arrangements, private tour will conclude back at the domestic and international airport, cruise terminal, or hotel.
Sail into Sydney Harbour and dock at Overseas Passenger Terminal in The Rocks (CBD) or White Bay Cruise Terminal in Rozelle (Inner West). Whether you are disembarking your cruise ship permanently with all bags and belongings, or just for a shore excursion, private tour is the ultimate way to maximise your experience. Our driver guide will pick you up at the terminal at nominated disembarkation time. In a blink of eye, you can be exploring the best that Sydney and the region has to offer.
To connect with your next travel arrangements, private tour will conclude back at the cruise terminal, domestic and international airports, or hotel.
We are enthusiastic and welcoming team holding keys to countless local delights.
Get inspired by following our latest adventures on social medias.
We are enthusiastic and welcoming team holding keys to countless local delights. Get inspired by following our latest adventures on social medias.
Dear Mark, thank you so much for such a wonderful trip! You were so helpful, friendly, and professional. We both appreciated you sharing your extensive knowledge about Australia. Your comments regarding Aboriginal culture were especially insightful! The course you took sounded fascinating. Thanks again!
Mary and Chris
Mark, I think I’ve expressed to you how appreciative I am that you were our Tour Director in Australia. I realize how much hard work you did to keep things running smoothly. All the members of the group appreciated the special helpful things you did for them. For me, it was especially that fabulous last day tour. Your personality is special and great for a tour director. Take care and come visit us in the US one day. Sincerely,
Jean W
Dear Mark, it was your infectious spirit that led our group to be the joy-filled people who loved visiting this marvellous land under your care! Thank you and give your mum our best and a big hug and thank her for raising a wonderful guy!
Diana and Pat
Decided to take a tour of Sydney before we ventured on our own Hired Mark Wachtl www.wachtlaustralia.com.au. And it was great. Mark picked us up at the airport and took us all over the city and out to Bondi Beach where we stopped for lunch. We got an overall view of the city as well as some history. Mark was friendly and knowledgeable. He gave us a map when we finished the tour, circling where we had been and suggestions of where we might want to go. He said to call him if we had any questions. He’s a great guide and I would recommend him.
K Captain, Florida 2015
Revealing the richness of this remarkable destination through the lens of a local insider,
these handpicked journey combinations are designed to linger in memory long after departure.
Revealing the richness of this remarkable destination through the lens of a local insider,
these handpicked journey combinations are designed to linger in memory long after departure.
We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work and the place in which we live. We pay respect to elders, past, present, and future.
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