plan-an-accessible-holiday-in-the-hunter-valley

Accessible Restaurants

The Hunter Valley cafes and restaurants cater to everyone’s needs, from breakfast through dinner. The best restaurants in the area are easily accessible to wheelchair users and people with other access needs. Enjoy a coffee on the patio of The Deck Cafe at Lovedale. You can start your day with bubbles at Cuvee, located in a beautiful sandstone house surrounded by a large, leafy courtyard.

Grab a table outside for lunch on a sunny day at Muse Kitchen. The menu is not too serious at this chic European-style restaurant. Baume restaurant at Ben Ean is another excellent option for outdoor dining. On cooler days, you can also enjoy the dining room. The authentic woodfired pizzeria is a favorite. Meals are served in a family-style format.

If happy hour is calling, then head over to Harrigan’s. This legendary Irish pub has both rooms on site and the restaurant accessible for wheelchairs and strollers (the pub also welcomes children). Enjoy a cold drink in a fun atmosphere at the end of a long day. 4 Pins at The Farm offers craft beer with a sunset view. There are many seating options and a large grassy area for dogs and children to enjoy.

Accessible wineries

Self-drive is not recommended when visiting Australia’s oldest region of wine. Hunter Valley Tours offers a safe and comfortable way for passengers who want to experience the best of this region. They work with the Hunter Valley’s most accessible wineries to provide a service that is fully inclusive and accessible. You’ll be transported to the wineries in a luxury, wheelchair-friendly minibus equipped with a hydraulic lifter and a slide-out step. You’ll be dropped off right at the front door to minimize walking.

There are many options if you prefer to move at your own pace. The Brokenwood Wines cellar door is a large, modern facility with many accessible areas. It also offers a variety of guided wine tastings that will take visitors on a journey from grape to glass. You can also book a lunch reservation at the Wood Restaurant. Sobel’s wine is wheelchair accessible. As a bonus, your dog can come along. Drayton’s Family Wines, the oldest winery in the Hunter Valley, is also the most accessible.

Audrey Wilkinson is perched on one of Brokenback Range’s foothills, offering some of the most spectacular views of the valley. Hunter Wine Lab opened in 2020 and is known for its pink Prosecco. Hunter’s Dream Wines are also fully accessible, as well as Hanging Tree Wines and Oakvale Wines. Thirsty Palette Wines Gartelmann Wines Tintilla Estate Hungerford Hill, Gartelmann Wines.

Accessible attractions

The Hunter Valley Gardens covers 14 hectares and has eight kilometers worth of trails. Many of its themed gardens are located near the entrance or the parking areas for people with disabilities. The paths and ramps are all covered in crushed sandstone that is suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Also welcome are guide and companion dogs.

In September 2023, Balloon Aloft will launch the first accessible balloon flight in the Hunter Valley. The basket can be driven up by those with limited mobility or in wheelchairs. They then transfer into customized seats with harnesses if necessary. Wheelchairs and mobility aids are not allowed on board the flight. However, they can be delivered to the landing area to meet passengers when they depart.

The Hunter Valley is a place that inspires creativity. Browse the works of local artists at Maitland Regional Art Gallery. The gallery has level access and disabled parking. The shop, cafe, and all public areas are accessible by ramps and lifts. There are also accessible toilets that have plenty of room for wheelchairs and prams.

Accessible Accommodation

The Hunter Valley has a range of accessible accommodation options. If you’re looking for a bit of luxury, book a room in Spicer’s guesthouse. Its paths and ramps will make it easier to navigate the internal areas and walkways with wheelchairs. There are also two stylish, accessible king-sized rooms. Spend a little extra at Spicers Vineyards Estate and stay in an accessible luxury spa suite with a fireplace.

Rydges Resort, formerly Crowne Plaza, offers a vineyard view for miles. There are wheelchair and pram-accessible rooms available. You can also request additional amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible, such as handrails, large roll-in bathrooms, and tall toilets. The hotel and restaurant facilities have ramps, and there are elevators on all floors. There is Braille in the lifts and public spaces. Voco Kirkton Park offers accessible rooms on the main floor with two queen-sized beds, extra space, and a wheelchair-accessible ensuite.

The Boathouses are unique and sit above a lotus pond. They offer a private escape for adults only. The accessible room features a parking space by the front door, a ramp for entry, and bathroom supports. Willow Tree Estate is situated on a lush green lawn with paved pathways to make your journey to the front entrance as comfortable as possible. The 12 spacious rooms are perfect for families and friends traveling together. The bathrooms are accessible to wheelchair users, and there is a family, games, and cinema room for you to relax after a long day of wine tasting.