Sip superb wines while taking in views of the vine-covered slopes at this hilltop haven, which is surrounded on all sides by state forest.
Mount View in the Hunter Valley is best-known for its well-regarded boutique wineries and vineyard vistas. Spoil yourself with fine dining, wine-tasting sessions and walks amid spectacular vistas of rolling hills carpeted in laden vines.
With most tourists heading straight for Pokolbin, the village hub of the Hunter, Mount View remains relatively quiet. Sleep in rustic cabins or luxury villas and enjoy the tranquil, secluded feel of the district. Be on alert for kangaroos and wallabies, which are most commonly seen in early morning and around dusk. The call of native bell birds can often be heard ringing through the air.
Taste the flavours of France at the Bistro Molines in Tallavera Grove vineyard or head to Briar Ridge Winery for an antipasto platter of cheeses and cured meats to accompany your wines.
Drive to nearby Pokolbin, a small village where you can stock up on the essentials, explore more vineyards and ascend to the skies on a hot-air balloon ride. Pick up some locally produced cheeses to go with your Hunter Valley wines and purchase some souvenirs, from Alpaca wool products to sculptural works and paintings by local artists.
A short drive away from Mount View are the encircling Pokolbin, Corrabare and Aberdare state forests. Go hiking through hilly, boulder-strewn terrain for stunning panoramic views over the Hunter Valley, or get a fossicking licence and search for gemstones and minerals. During the 19th century, coal mining was a booming business in parts of the Hunter Valley and old mine shafts can still be seen along some of these forest walks.
Discover the stories of the region in the village of Wollombi, southwest of Pokolbin. Visit the Endeavour Museum, which is housed in a historic courthouse building, and admire other heritage buildings around town. See ancient Aboriginal rock carvings and paintings at nearby Mount Yengo.
Mount View is a restful place to stay while exploring the Hunter Valley’s history, food and wine trails and culture.
