Cessnock is known as the gateway to some of the best wineries in the country. The town’s restaurants and bars serve local produce and wines from the area. The colonial heritage buildings and rural surroundings are the other perfect ingredients for a relaxing holiday in the Australian countryside. Popular activities in the Cessnock area include skydiving, hot air ballooning and playing golf.
Cessnock, the largest town in the Lower Hunter Valley, was once a thriving mining town. Discover the history and creativity of the region at the town’s many cultural institutions, including the Marthaville Arts & Crafts Centre and the Cessnock Court House. Of course, most people come here for the gourmet food and drinks many wineries and farms are within a short driving distance from the township.
Explore the Hunter Valley’s famous wine region by renting a car or joining a coach tour. Visit the wineries and cheese factories in Pokolbin and Mount View, and stop at cellar doors and farm gates to taste fresh local produce. Many have on-site restaurants and some offer behind-the-scenes tours.
Cessnock is surrounded by natural beauty, with the Brokenback Mountains visible from the town. Nearby Werakata National Park is great for bushwalking and mountain bike riding, so pack a picnic and enjoy a day outdoors.
Bring your binoculars because Cessnock is situated within the Hunter Valley Important Bird Area, and is home to many endangered species. See if you can spot a regent honeyeater or the colourful swift parrot.
To get a bird’s-eye view of it all yourself, glide over the town in a hot air balloon as the sun comes up, or sky dive above the wineries. Book these adventures through one of the operators in the township. The Cessnock golf club is near the town centre and welcomes visiting players.
Cessnock is just over 50 kilometres (31 miles) from Newcastle, in the Lower Hunter Valley wine region. Visitors from Sydney can reach the town by car in about two hours or book a seat on the Rover Coaches bus service.
Cessnock Travel Guide
Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2024
Reviewed on 18 Mar. 2024
Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2024
Reviewed on 13 Mar. 2024
Reviewed on 10 Mar. 2024
Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2024
Popular places to visit
Oaks Golf Course
Enjoy a round of golf in Cessnock at Oaks Golf Course. Amble around this relaxing area's picturesque gardens and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.
Activities
Sample the Hunter Half Day Tour
Tyrrell's Vat 1 Vertical Wine Tasting in Pokolbin, NSW
Reviews of Cessnock
5/5 - Excellent
I like Cessnock, nice town and easy access to the Hunter wineries
5/5 - Excellent
Friendly, helpful staff in every shop we went into.
4/5 - Good
Horse riding was great - children enjoyed that - staff very friendly at horse riding next to hunter valley resort. Go carts Go were are too. Hunter Valley gardens are always great to walk through and smell the roses. Local shops and eateries great!
4/5 - Good
Pretty town with a great atmosphere
4/5 - Good
A lovely area with good shopping & road system. Very impressed with what we saw.
5/5 - Excellent
Very nice cute small town
- Oaks Golf Course
- Lake Macquarie
- Hunter Valley Gardens
- John Hunter Hospital
- Roche Estate
- Bimbadgen Estate
- Hunter Valley Wildlife Park
- The Vintage Golf Club
- Cypress Lakes Golf and Country Club
- University of Newcastle
- Hope Estate
- Wollemi National Park
- Audrey Wilkinson Winery
- Maitland Showground
- Brokenwood Wines
- PepperTree Wines
- Blackbutt Reserve
- Petersons Wines
- Ben Ean Cellar
- Maitland Gaol
- Watagans National Park
- Tocal Homestead
- Central Coast Hinterland
- Speers Point Park
- Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
- Hunter Valley Golf Club
- Krinklewood Vineyard
- Tempus Two Winery
- Wyndham Estate
- Hungerford Hill
- Briar Ridge Vineyard