After pickup from your Sydney hotel by private luxury sedan, 4WD, or minivan (depending on the size of your party), your Hunter Valley day trip starts with the drive over Sydney Harbour Bridge and along the Central Coast of New South Wales.
Cross the Hawkesbury River before arriving at your first stop, the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby, home to a variety of reptiles like snakes, lizards, and crocodiles, as well as other Australian animals such as kangaroos, cassowaries, and Tasmanian devils. Then head to Hunter Valley Chocolate Company and Fudge Factory in Lovedale, where you can watch the chocolatier and the fudge maker preparing a range of treats for the regional stores.
Next, enjoy time to taste the region's wines. You'll visit some of the 40-year-old estates that have been producing some of the most awarded wines in Hunter Valley and are home to two of the oldest vineyards in the picturesque Mount View region. After wine tasting, enjoy lunch (own expense), and then continue your day trip to Hunter Valley Gardens, nestled in the foothills of the Brokenback Ranges in the heart of the valley vineyards.
Walk around the 60 acres (24 hectares) of international display gardens, soaking up the variety of colors and fragrances. More than 5 miles (8 km) of walking paths are available for you to explore to see the 10 individual gardens that feature a high quality you'll rarely see anywhere else in Australia.
Before returning to Sydney, make a final stop at a cheese factory, where preservative-free cheese is manufactured on site using traditional recipes. Your day trip ends when you arrive back in the city.