Things to Do
Lavender Ridge
The grounds at Lavender Ridge are praised by all who have given themselves the pleasure of staying at the Vineyard; it is the reason why so many choose to come back time and time again. Lavender Ridge is the ideal estate to relax, wander and enjoy life in the presence of beautiful vines, abundant gardens and breathtaking views of the Valley and its mountain ranges. Small pleasures in discovery will be found in all aspects of the Estate, whether it be taking a stroll through our organic vegetable patch, enjoying a picnic by the lake under the Oak tree, relaxing by the pool in summer or wandering through the two hundred tree olive plantation, fruit orchard or fragrant four-hundred-rose plantation.
The Hunter Valley
Fine Dining
Margan
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Using only the best in season, the menu changes monthly and often includes Margan Estate grown produce.
Our friends just down the road at Margan have created a beautiful restaurant showcasing an excellent menu that focuses on fresh produce and the pleasure of sharing. Warm décor, earthy undertones and gold and ochre swirled marble create the perfect setting for a sensual dinner spent in good company or brunch, not to mention the help of fantastic and passionate sommeliers to help match the perfect drop with the exquisite food.
Margan, 1238 Milbrodale Rd, Broke 2330. (02 6579 1372).
Rock Restaurant
Cuisine: Contemporary Australian / Classic French
The Rock Restaurant was awarded two coveted SMH Chef Hats, as well as best Regional Restaurant by the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2009.
Set on the Poole's Rock Winery estate, world renowned chef Andrew Clarke has created a flexible menu as each sumptuous option can be enjoyed as either a taster, an entrée or as a main. The Rock is converted into the Firestick Café during the day where one can enjoy a range of light lunch options or a wood fired pizza by the room featured oven.
Rock Restaurant, 576 Debeyers Rd, Pokolbin 2320. (02 4998 6968).
Bistro Molines at Tallavera Grove
Cuisine: French Bistro, the menu at Bistro Molines changes daily and often features fresh seafood, game and offal.
This beautiful restaurant transports you with delicious dining options and a sublime view from your table. The light and airy restaurant looks out onto a magical view from Mount View which has often been described as the more European looking side of the Hunter with its hilly aspect. Whilst at Bistro Molines you will be in the hands of renowned and widely respected Hunter chef Robert Molines along with his wife Sally, who for many years operated the popular Roberts Restaurant at Pepper Tree.
Bistro Molines, 749 Mount View Rd, Mount View 2325. (02 4990 9553).
Leaves and Fishes
Cuisine: Contemporary / Fusion
As the name suggests the menu is mostly seafood oriented and crosses from the more Asian-inspired flavours through Western European staples to arrive at fish and chips. There is a two-course minimum at $57.50.
A favourite among the locals is always a great sign not only of quality food, but of that special vibe that it promises to posses. Their seafood is fresh famed from the lake which is seen from your very table.
Leaves and Fishes, 737 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale 2320. (02 4930 7400).
Special Interest Activities
Hunter Valley Gardens
The Hunter Valley Gardens is only a short distance from Lavender Ridge and spans over 60 acres and includes ten internationally featured garden spaces. Other attractions include a magnificent Rose Garden that houses over 8,000 roses of various colour and scent, a 10 metre waterfall and over 8 kilometres of walking paths.
Hunter Valley Gardens
Broke Road Pokolbin
NSW 2320
Ph: 61 2 4998 4000
Fax: 61 2 4998 4001
Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures
Ride the Unique and beautiful Molly Morgan Range, experiencing the spectacular views of the Hunter Valley Wine Country and Lower Hunter and as far North as Barrington Tops, the northern boundary of the Upper Hunter. Riding is available every day for the inexperienced (the beginner) and the experienced rider.
Private Personalised rides are available, and for special occasions such as marriage proposals. Conference Groups can also be catered for.
Valley Horse Riding & Adventures
(02) 4930 7111
288 Talga Road
Rothbury NSW, 2320
www.huntervalleyhorseriding.com.au
Cloud 9 Hot Air Ballooning
Experience the beautiful region with a view from the sky. Hot air ballooning is a romantic adventure where you escape, relax and enjoy the excitement of the oldest and greatest form of flight. Cloud 9 is Australian owned and operated with world class pilots to bring a more professional, personal touch to your experience, the team are dedicated to giving you five star service from the ground up.
Cloud 9 Hot Air Ballooning
(02) 9679 2899
227B Annangrove Road
Annangrove NSW, 2156
Hunter Wine Helicopters
Experience the beauty of the Hunter Valley from the comfort of your own personal helicopter with Hunter Wine Helicopters.
Hunter Wine Helicopters can create an experience for our guests such as arriving at one of the world class wineries of the Hunter Valley, then relaxing and enjoying lunch over a bottle or two of an award-winning chardonnay or verdelho, or taking that someone special on a picnic in a romantic and secluded setting.
Or if you would just like to witness the picturesque scenery of the vineyards from 2000 feet, then a scenic tour can show you the rolling hills and majestic mountains that surround one of Australia's premier wine-growing regions.
Hunter Wine Helicopters
Cessnock Airport Terminal
Wine Country Drive
Pokolbin NSW 2325
(02) 4991 7352
www.hunterwinehelicopters.com.au
Wine Tours
The Lavender Ridge team recommend an intimate wine tasting tour experience where knowledgeable tour guides are afforded the time to give you attention and convey historical and educational information about the wines, each wineries' culture and the features of each Hunter area. We recommend the following tour companies; both include a combination of visits to boutique wineries as well as cheese, chocolate and olive oil tastings. Guest may opt to enjoy either half day tours or a full day tours.
James Hunter Valley Wine and Vineyard Tours
A luxury bus will collect you from Lavender Ridge and take you to the smaller boutique Cellar Doors to sample unique Australian wines that cannot be purchased outside the Hunter Valley.
Hunter Valley Wine and Vineyard Tours qualified tour guide and driver (James Myles) will show and explain how the wine process takes place and anecdotes about the wine industry in the Hunter Valley as well as the rest of the World.
James Hunter Valley Wine and Vineyard Tours
18 The Glade
Singleton NSW 2330
0437 151 500
Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Tours
The small group specialist with never more than 13 participants, Boutique Wine tours will introduce you to the best of the Valley's boutique cellar doors by private tastings. Tours include gourmet cheese and chocolate and or olive tastings. Full day tours include alfresco antipasto styled lunch - the perfect complement to wine tastings. Alternatively, take a Vine to Table Wine Experience and meet the winemaker and the chef! Boutique Wine Tours can create tours to meet Lavender Ridge guest's needs and taste buds.
Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Tours
1329 Mount View Road
Mount View NSW 2325
(02) 4990 8989
0419 419 931
Spa treatments
Your stay at Lavender Ridge is all about relaxation and taking time to pay attention to the finer things in life. Indulge your senses and your skin by treating yourself to some pampering at one of our recommended day spas. Alternatively a team member from LR can organise a professional to make a house visit to come to you on the Estate.
Endota Spa
With a heavenly range of organic skincare products and a selection of just as natural and indulgent treatments to soothe and renew any guest, a session or day at Endota Spa is a great way to unwind even further during your Lavender Ridge Hunter Valley stay. Lavender Ridge favourites inlude their ‘well fed' treatment which includes a one hour massage or Endota organic facial followed by lunchtime sublime with a two course meal at Chez Pok & a glass of wine (1 hour $130), as well as the ‘pinot noir wrap' which includes a deep detoxification scrub followed by a steamy vine leaf wrap and a 30 minute anti ageing facial to conclude your renewing treatment (1 ½ hours $200).
Endota Spa
Peppers Guest House
Ekerts Eoad
Pokolbin NSW 2320
(02) 4993 8952
The Golden Door
The renowned ultra-lux Golden Door Spa is a haven of relaxation and healing. Choose from their extensive list of spa treatment options and feel at ease with attentive service wholly focused on your relaxation. Lavender Ridge, Golden Door Spa clients are invited to take advantage of the spacious relaxation lounge before or after treatments as well as receiving a complimentary steam and spa bath.
The Golden Door
Cypress Lakes Resort
Cnr McDonalds & Thompsons Roads
Pokolbin
Hunter Valley NSW 2320
(02) 4993 1400