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With up to 30% off stays until the end of September*, now is the time to beat the winter blues and grab your bestie, loved one or group of friends for a fun-filled getaway to Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort in the Hunter Valley.

Home away from home

Nestled in the heart of Hunter Valley Wine Country, Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort is a 300-acre property offering one, two and three-bedroom villas for up to seven guests, as well as a professional golf course, country club, two restaurants and bars, three swimming pools and two tennis courts – not to mention a crackling fire where guests can cosy up with a warming glass of wine before a laidback meal at the on-site Oak & Vine or Cypress Lakes Bistro.

Ideal for couples who enjoy space to spread out and chill out, as well as for groups of friends or families, all one, two and three-bedroom villas include a well-equipped kitchen or kitchenette and separate living space, with many villas enjoying private balconies with bushland, vineyard, or golf course views.

Wine time

Let’s not pretend any trip to the Hunter doesn’t include a cheeky wine or two, and with options ranging from major players with hatted restaurants to boutique outfits, there’s a winery to suit every occasion. Icons of the region include Brokenwood, Tyrrell’s Wines, Tulloch, McGuigan and Margan Wines, while popular picks renowned for their character-filled cellar doors and picture-perfect settings include Audrey Wilkinson, Scarborough Wines, Thomas Wines, Tallavera Vineyard, Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard, Bimbadgen Estate and Oakvale Wines.

The Hunter on horseback

Exploring the Hunter Valley on horseback is a romantic way to while away an afternoon in the heart of wine country. From a leisurely guided trail ride with Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures for those who like to get up close and personal with the countryside, to a cosy, private horse and carriage tour with Hunter Valley Classic Carriages, leave your four wheels behind and settle in for a scenic, slow adventure instead.

Fabulous food

Beyond the glorious grazing plates and long lunches on offer at many Hunter Valley wineries, there are plenty of foodie favourites where you can enjoy a tasting or stock up your pantry. Got a sweet tooth? Load up on traditional treats including honeycomb, fudge, giant jaffas, choccie frogs, mint slices, jellybean towers and a flowing fondue fountain at the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company. Prefer something savoury? The Hunter Valley Cheese Factory offers everything from quick and easy 5-cheese tasting platters to the full-blown cheesemaking experience, while The Smelly Cheese Shop offers endless cheese, charcuterie and pantry treats as well as 32 flavours of gelato. Budding chefs will love the hands-on cooking classes at Our Italian Table, while Majors Lane Cooking School’s ‘Low and Slow’ masterclasses will tick the box for visitors keen to hone their BBQ skills.

Action, Adventure and Culture 

To break up the boozing, there are plenty of adrenaline-fuelled and outdoor activities to discover in the Hunter, and a spectacular sunrise hot air balloon ride over the vineyards with Balloon Aloft or Beyond Ballooning – followed by a gourmet breakfast with bubbles – is one of the most iconic experiences for any Hunter escape.

Those who prefer a bird’s eye view with a little more speed can take a scenic chopper flight above the rolling hills of the Hunter with Hunter Valley Helicopters or enjoy a Champagne Breakfast Flight or Margan Estate Helicopter Wine & Lunch Tour with Skyline Aviation.

To give your wine tasting adventure an old-school spin, Vintage and Classic Car Hire has an eclectic collection of retro vehicles to hire for those who like to roll up in style, while The Adventure Centre Hunter Valley offers Segway tours with magical valley views.

Vineyards, hills…and fairways

Golfing enthusiasts won’t have far to go from their villa to the first tee when staying at Oaks, with the championship 18-hole Cypress Lakes Golf Course located on-site. With every green enjoying photogenic views of the surrounding vineyards and Brokenback mountain range, it’s little wonder the course is one of the most sought-after resort courses in the country.

Hike or bike

Whether you like to take a hike, or ride your bike, there are plenty of options in and around the Hunter, including the easy one-kilometre Finchley Track walk which features interesting indigenous cultural insights along the trail, the more challenging six-kilometre Yango Walking Track which rewards the effort with terrific views, or the 10.6-kilometre Hermitage Road cycleway.

Animal encounters 

Big kids can have just as much fun as little kids at the Hunter Valley Zoo, home to Australia’s largest private collection of animals including meerkats, lions, monkeys and cheetahs, and a unique animal encounter with squirrel monkeys, lemurs or lions will add an unforgettable element to any Hunter Valley stay.

Early risers or those hanging at the hotel around sunset are likely to enjoy a surprise visit from the resident kangaroos, koalas and kookaburras living in and around the Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort.

Seasonal events

The Hunter Valley’s festivals and events schedule doesn’t slow down during winter – and it hits full speed in spring – with a range of regular, one-off and weekend activities to discover.

Highlights include:

AUGUST

The Truffle Kerfuffle, Margan Winery – 14 August

Handmade in the Hunter Markets, Sobels Wines – 13th and 27th August

Mirusia: Songbird – A life in Song, Cessnock – 14 August

Merrick Watts: An Idiot’s Guide to Wine, Brokenwood Wines – 26 August

Low & Slow Smoking Masterclass, Majors Lane Cooking School, Lovedale – Saturdays & Sundays

SEPTEMBER

Wollombi Wild Ride (mountain biking) – 3 September

Seafood & Cider Festival, Stanley Park – 10 September

1st Release Wine Week, Pokolbin – 10/11 September

Hunter Valley Gin & Jazz Festival – 10/11 September

Drag & Dine Brunch, Roche Estate – 10 September

Sculpture in the Vineyards – 10-25 September

Handmade in the Hunter Markets, Sobels Wines – 10 & 24 September

END2END Festival, Oaks Cypress Lakes – 17 September

*Offer available on stays booked by 31 August 2022 for stays until 30 September 2022.