Rolling hills embroidered with vineyards, expansive national parks and quaint guesthouses – sound like the perfect recipe for an Insta-worthy getaway? Undeniably, travellers can now curate their itineraries like they do their feed, and the regions of the Hunter Valley, Mudgee, Orange, the Shoalhaven Coast, the Southern Highlands, and the Canberra District have a wealth of breath-taking destinations and experiences that are sure to tick that box.
1. The Hunter Valley
A two-hour drive north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley is one of Australia's oldest grape-growing regions and is famous for its sweeping landscapes including the iconic Brokenback Mountain Ranges.
Perched atop a foothill of the Brokenback Mountain Ranges, Audrey Wilkinson’s spacious colonial-style Cellar Door is a true must-see site of the Hunter Valley. Settle down at a picturesque spot anywhere within this 270 acre property with a bottle of hand-picked wine and a picnic hamper for two, to enjoy a relaxing, Insta-worthy time among the vines. You are sure to feel as though you have the whole vineyard to yourself!
Nestled amongst lush Hunter bushland in Pokolbin and surrounded by wineries and tasting rooms, Spicers Guesthouse is a delightful 45-room boutique property. Originally built in 1984, the boutique hotel retains its historic charm while also offering unparalleled modern facilities, such as their jaw-dropping heated infinity pool set against a skyline of foliage.
Bistro Molines located in Mount View in the Hunter Valley, combines the finest food with relaxed friendly service and European influenced serenity, making it one of the most photographed places in the Hunter Valley. Another must-visit restaurant for foodie photographers is Muse Restaurant, which offers contemporary Australian cuisine, with a focus on seasonal produce from the Hunter Valley. It offers arguably the most Instagrammed dessert dish in the country, the Muse Coconut features a dark chocolate husk, sitting on a bed of shaved coconut, containing coconut mousse filled with coconut water and vanilla bean.
2. Mudgee
An easy three-and-a-half hour drive northwest of Sydney through the Blue Mountains, Mudgee is situated on the Cudgegong River. The early Australian architectural facades, rolling hills and green valleys make Mudgee one of NSW’s most stunning wine regions to visit.
Voted Best Cellar Door Experience by Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine, Logan Wines is a boutique winery which offers a range of styles from shiraz to sauvignon blanc. All glass, light and view, the beautiful award-winning Tasting Room is perched above the vines, with uninterrupted views over the Mudgee vineyard and Apple Tree Flat, while you sip on exquisite wines.
For something more rustic, make a trip to visit De Beaurepaire Wines, hero winery of the region and winner of Winestate Magazine’s 2018 Australian Wine of the Year. This renowned multi-generational boutique producer of French-style wines is located on the hills above the historic village of Rylstone, with historic cellar doors housed in 170-year-old stables and sweeping views of the vineyards – every angle is made perfect for that ‘gram!
For another truly idyllic vineyard experience, head to Lowe Wines, an organic and biodynamic winery, vineyards and farm that produces small-batch wines. The cellar door is a beautiful spot to spend a few hours, with a wooded picnic area and access to Federation Hill with 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside.
Make sure you visit on an empty stomach for a meal at The Zin House adjacent to Lowe Wines, which specializes in long lunch and dinners and makes for perfect Instagram foodie fodder. You could even document your food from garden to plate by checking out the beautiful kitchen gardens surrounding the restaurant.
For a taste of adventure with a touch of luxury, stay at Sierra Escape, Mudgee’s premier and award-winning Luxury Eco Glamping experience. Surrounded by beautiful rolling hills, and breath-taking views – Sierra is a picture-perfect place to sleep under the stars and provides an opportunity to escape from busy city life and immerse yourself in country NSW. Situated on over 280 acres, explore the area and if you’re lucky you’ll head back with a snap of kangaroos, deer or native birds.
3. Orange
The pretty regional town of Orange is a food and wine lovers’ delight. Famed for its fresh produce, cool climate wines, colourful foliage and snowy Winters, Orange is a gorgeous getaway just three-and-a-half hours’ drive west of Sydney.
Philip Shaw Wines is a must-go for wine lovers to see one of the highest and coolest vineyards in Australia. The cellar door is located in a beautiful 130 year Bluestone barn, with stunning surrounding gardens where guests can enjoy a range of wine and food tasting experiences.
The Swinging Bridge Wines, awarded of Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine’s Best Cellar Door, is another great spot for the ‘gram. Don’t expect to put down your phone anytime soon at this well-located spot with breath-taking views of Mount Canobolas. Sign up for a picnic in the vines for that #cottagecore aesthetic, or capture the sights from the sky with their Sydney to Orange helicopter experience.
The first in Orange and outside of Hunter to join the Ultimate Winery Experiences of Australia, Printhie Wines is a 5-star Halliday winery in Orange. Their handcrafted SWIFT sparkling range is widely regarded as the best of the region, having been awarded best sparkling wine in NSW for 3 years in a row.
Stay at Byng Street Boutique Hotel, a fashionable 4.5 star hotel that exudes unique style, luxurious comfort and sophistication. Inspiration was drawn from the quirky details of the existing building, local artists, the surrounding landscape and the region’s history. Almost as though it was made to be photographed, the guest lounge in the modern wing has floor to ceiling windows through that stream dappled sunlight and a stunning fireplace. Another option would be Rowlee Wines, a winemaking estate and vineyard that doubles up as luxury accommodation surrounded by vineyards, farmland and a conservation area.
Located in a Masonic hall dating back to 1864, The Sonic is an ultra-hip concept store founded in 2016.Combining a café with two interior and lifestyle brands, the large, lofty white space is an Instagram haven.
Nashdale Lane Wines also makes for a Instagram-worthy stop, situated in the stunning highlands of Orange surrounded by orchards, olive groves, sheep and cattle farms with views of the iconic peaks of Mount Canobolas. Peak your aesthetic game by staying at their luxury glamping cabins, surrounded by the natural beauty of the outdoors, the dazzling night sky and crackling wood fire.
4. The Shoalhaven Coast
One of New South Wales’ most prominent coastal wine regions, the Shoalhaven Coast is an incredibly unique area boasting fresh produce, pristine beaches and spectacular national parks.
Cambewarra Estate Winery lies at the foothills of the majestic Cambewarra Mountain in the Shoalhaven Coast wine region, only two-and-a-half hours' drive south from Sydney. It features a cellar door, restaurant, studio apartment and a reception room with outdoor surrounds ideal for events. The child and pet friendly cellar door offers a high tea experience where guests can enjoy sweet and savoury delights with tea and sparkling wine set amongst the grape vines. The ultimate Instagram-worthy experience is their High Tea Cup experience, seated inside a gorgeous pastel pink teacup next to the chardonnay vines.
Make the most of the coast by changing into your sunbathing gear and settle down by the pool at Bannisters by the Sea to enjoy barefoot luxury and endless ocean views. The hues of blue from the crystal waters to the cloudless skies are enough to spruce up your Instagram feed. Make sure to visit Chef Rick Stein’s restaurant, which specialises in locally caught seafood. Freshly shucked oysters, Hervey Bay Scallops and lobster thermidor are just some of the highlights on the menu.
Embrace the wilderness in complete glamour and luxury at Paperbark Camp, an ideal retreat for that #SlowLiving aesthetic. Every deluxe tent here has its own open air private en suite, perfect for bird watching and kangaroo spotting while you enjoy a steaming hot shower. Dining will also be a key highlight of your ‘glamping’ experience, starting with hearty home cooked breakfasts, gourmet picnic meals packed to-go when you head out, and romantic candlelit dinners on the verandah, served with specially selected regional wines.
5. The Southern Highlands
Just 90 minutes south of Sydney, the Southern Highlands is made up of rolling hills, surrounded by quaint, heritage towns, antique shops and an abundance of hiking trails, in addition to its relatively new cool-climate wine region. The region’s landscape is particularly Instagrammable in Autumn and Spring.
Centennial Vineyards is located minutes from the historic township of Bowral and offers a premium restaurant, cellar door and function venue. Their vineyard is over 760 metres in altitude and produces award-winning cool climate wines. Centennial Vineyards offers visitors a range of experiences including a masterclass in the region’s signature grape variety, pinot. Centennial Vineyards Restaurant is known for its stunning setting amongst the vines and offers the perfect destination for a long lunch or a luxurious high tea.
For something more interactive, head to Tractorless Vineyard & Bowral Brewing which embraces a combination of traditional knowledge and skills with new-world techniques, all guided by biodynamic principles. Visitors can have a guided wine, beer and cider tasting; get a guided tour of the vineyard and feed the winery’s sheep; enjoy a barrel tasting with the winemaker; or try grape stomping. Photo opportunities include getting a snap with the vineyard animals or getting your ankles deep in grape stomping.
PepperGreen Estate offers a unique, innovative and interactive dining experience in the premium cool-climate wine region of the Southern Highlands. Their tasting room pairs their fine wines with fantastic culinary creations and delicious cheeseboards. Snap a flatlay of your set-up and watch the likes roll in.
Bendooley Estate Book Barn is an iconic, multi-functional space within the Southern Highlands that houses one of Australia’s most atmospheric bookstore as well as the Bendooley Estate Restaurant, cellar door and bar. This spellbinding space features endless rows of rare books, cathedral ceilings, king-sized iron chandeliers and stone fireplaces, with windows looking out to romantic gardens, lakeside locations and a gorgeous vineyard; you’ll be spoilt for choice for Instagram content. With the range of books housed here, you don’t even have to conjure an Instagram caption of your own!
A working farm, garden and guest house, The Loch is a gourmet highlight, serving up the ultimate paddock-to-plate restaurant experience with relaxing long lunches on Sundays. Cradled in undulating pastoral landscape, the architecture features industrial design influences, enriched with layers of Victorian opulence and echoes of the estate’s equestrian heritage.
Nature-lovers should not leave the Southern Highlands without visiting the 81m high Fitzroy Falls, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country. The fall drops dramatically into the untouched bushland of Morton National Park and makes for a breathtaking capture.
6. The Canberra District
Travelling three hours southwest of Sydney, you would find yourself in the Canberra District, a highly-regarded and flourishing young wine region. From its picture-perfect beaches on the coast to the snow-capped mountains and rural charms of the countryside, the Canberra District has a wealth of stunning landscapes to offer.
Boasting world-class wines and Instagram-worthy vineyards, the Canberra District and Clonakilla should be high up on your list. The acres of grapevines are the ideal backdrop for an OOTD shot. After exploring the sprawling vineyards, swing by the wine tasting room for some delicious pours, including the 2017 shiraz viognier and the 2017 Canberra District riesling.
Add a picturesque element to an iconic winery experience as you soak in the region’s scenery in style at Shaw Wines, a family-owned and operated vineyard located in Murrumbateman NSW. You can book a day’s worth of luxurious adventure, where a private aircraft will take you on an exclusive ride from Sydney to the Canberra District. Look out for iconic sights of the Canberra District and the charming Murrumbidgee River, which make for perfect snaps for the ‘gram. The experience culminates in a seated wine tasting of Shaw’s Estate Range Wines in the upstairs tasting area and a venture into the private cellar of Shaw’s award-winning cellar door.
No Instagram feed is complete without documenting the food. Tempt your followers with delicious images of the hand-crafted treats from Robyn Rowe Chocolates, all made with Belgian Callebaut Fair Trade couverture. These moreish delicacies come in interesting flavours such as jasmine green tea, ginger, French vanilla and Irish cream - to name a few.
For your main course, head over to Poachers Pantry, one of the finest smokehouses in Australia, located on a working farm. The Smokehouse Restaurant offers an ever-changing menu of cured and smoked meats paired with organic herbs and vegetables picked freshly from their own kitchen garden everyday – perfect for the ‘gram.
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