09:00 Mon 29 April - till - 17:00 Mon 13 May.
Members of the public may lodge only one vote for one town in each category. See Terms & Conditions.
TAKE TIME TO FEEL HISTORY
Winter or Summer, Wollombi is perfect to visit year-round. This tiny town is as rich in cultural heritage as it is in natural beauty.
Famed for its incredible indigenous history and the sandstone architecture of early European settlers, it’s the gateway to the Hunter Valley.
Take the scenic route, Tourist Drive 33 from Sydney on the Great North Road built by convicts in the 1800’s. The fertile uplands of Peats Ridge give way to sandstone gorges and some of the last great coastal eucalypt forests of the Watagan Mountains. Watch out for wombats and lyrebirds as you head into the Wollombi Valley, then arrive and experience the historic main street and Gray’s Inn, or perhaps the C1830 Wollombi Tavern and its famed Dr Jurds Jungle Juice. Visit Darkinjung cultural sites steeped in centuries of lore. Perhaps indulge in ecotourism or gravel bike riding through our beautiful bushland and then relax and enjoy some of the Hunter region’s best wineries.
Wollombi is a great escape less than two hours drive from Sydney or Newcastle.
Authentic Wollombi a tiny town with a big heart!
Choose your own adventure in Wollombi – history, wine, rustic art galleries, exploring the gravel trails by bike, or maybe just sit and marvel at our natural wonders – the incredible bird and animal life, and the night sky which needs to be seen to be believed.
Delicious experiences
Come live like a local! We love to share our village with visitors. Bring your appetite. There’s a choice of country cafes (Myrtle & Stone & Next-Door Café), an a’la carte restaurant (Wollombi Kitchen), a quirky General Store and sandstone cellar door (Noyce Wines) all housed in historic buildings in the heart of town. Do a walking tour of the village, visit our churches, the Wollombi Museum (full of fascinating artifacts of village life from days gone by and is rumoured to be haunted), amble through the old graveyard (that hosts regular ghost tours) and finish at the Wollombi Tavern for a glass of the infamous Dr Jurds Jungle Juice.
Artisans and artworks
For creativity, look no further than our local artisans. Wollombi is home to an eclectic mix of talented individuals. We have three rustic galleries – Roadside Gallery, the Old Fireshed Gallery, and the Little Yengo Room – that showcase the talent of local textile makers, artists, sculptors, furniture makers and more. For a taste of retailing in a slab hut, try ‘Twine’ homewares store and don’t miss a visit to our home of vintage retail therapy ‘The Forge’ which houses pre-loved treasure for everyone.
Festivals and fun
Love a festival? Come immerse yourself in the biennial ‘Sculpture in the Vineyards’ - the second largest celebration of sculpture in the southern hemisphere. Held over two weeks in Spring, emerging and established sculptors showcase their works throughout the village and valley. Festival visitors can enjoy great food, wine, walking and talking tours and of course sculpture created by some of the best Australian and International Sculptors.
Fun for everyone? Look no further than the Annual Carp Cleanout Competition (March), the Wollombi Wild Ride (August) and the Woodchop Festival (November). On the June long weekend, and on New Years Eve, see the best fireworks display outside of Sydney – we’re crackers for crackers.
Come stay a while…
You’ll find a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets and all members of your family - even the dog - from camping to heritage guesthouses, farmstays and five star romance retreats and everything in between.
Short breaks, adventure holidays, romantic escapes – we can’t wait to show you what we love about our tiny town.
LOVING WOLLOMBI?
Vote for this top town in the 2024 Top Tourism Town Awards
.
An itinerary for love – enjoy a romantic weekend in Wollombi Valley 3 x days, 2 x nights
Spoil the one you love and indulge in a romantic weekend in our magical valley. They say, ‘in life, it’s not where you go it’s who you travel with’. If you love someone who loves travel, then a weekend in Wollombi Valley is the perfect surprise.
A short, scenic drive from Sydney, Tourist Drive 33 will allow you to amble to Wollombi Valley on one of the most historic roads in NSW. Dotted with fruit stalls - a must stop is the kebab truck at Peat’s Ridge (who would’ve thought some of the best kebabs you’ll eat are at a local servo) or a grab burger at Jerry’s at Kulnura – either way, it’s a great opportunity to stretch the legs and fuel up the car.
On reaching the valley, The Trading Post at Laguna is a quirky venue, filled with local characters, just 6 kms from Wollombi. Established in 1820, it’s on the convict trail that transported convict labour to the area.
After a sleep-in on Saturday morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast and country welcome at Myrtle and Stone Café in Wollombi, then wander down to the Tavern circa 1830, for a pub lunch and a Dr Jurd’s Jungle Juice. If your taste buds adore a dessert, walk back up the hill for a triple decker ice cream cone at The General Store.
If you’re after morning coffee and cake or a romantic dinner for two, Wollombi Kitchen is your perfect option. Situated in the historic Gray’s Inn, you can immerse yourself in the history that’s part of life here in the village.
Spend your Sunday exploring Noyce Wines in the village or go explore the valley’s boutique vineyards scattered a few minutes away from town. If you’re keen on a not so lazy weekend, try our magnificent tennis courts to work off all that good food and wine or head out on a hike along one of our nature trails. Finish off your weekend with a massage from one of the State’s best therapists at the Hunter Massage Co before heading back to reality. www.huntermassageco.com.au
We have many beautiful accommodations that can be booked via the Visit Wollombi website. www.visitwollombi.com.au to make your stay memorable.
We can’t wait to show you why we love Wollombi. A tiny town with a big history.
.
THREE DAYS IN WOLLOMBI
Spoil the one you love and indulge in a romantic weekend in our magical valley.
"Wollombi – a tiny town with a big heart". A ‘meeting place of the waters’ rich in indigenous history of the Darkinjung. A hidden gem, rich in natural beauty, settled via the convict-built Great North Road in 1830. 90 minutes from Sydney on Tourist Drive 33. An eclectic town where history is embedded in the streetscape that speaks of times past. Wollombi offers a diverse mix of accommodation, and attractions for everyone, even the dog! Immerse yourself in history, sacred sites, food, sculpture, artisans, and wine – we can’t wait to show you why we love our tiny town!
.