Top Things to do in Cessnock
The 10 Best Things to do in Cessnock, New South Wales
Nestled in the fertile Hunter Valley, Cessnock’s wine region is one of the oldest and most diverse in the world, making it a terrific destination for oenophiles. There are over 100 wineries in the area, and vineyard and cellar tours are among Cessnock’s most popular attractions. World-class golf courses, gourmet eateries, lush gardens and blissful spas round out the local appeal.
Restaurants in Cessnock
1. Ivanhoe Wines
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 531 reviews
Premium Wines from a boutique Hunter Valley vineyard. Enjoy the exceptional service and stunning views. Ivanhoe's Covid-19 Strategy - Please be assured that our team at Ivanhoe are taking every precaution to ensure your health and safety. We have upgraded our hygiene procedures as necessary, we have implented Social Distancing, as we only accept small groups. The glasses, tables and chairs are cleaned thoroughly and often after every use. The same friendly and knowlegdeable service is given. Flatten the Curve.
Reviewed By raule4444 - Sydney, Australia
We would like to thank the team at Ivanhoe wines for making us feel so welcome our first time we were taken care of by sommelier Matt who was very knowledgeable and personable also brilliant with our doggie Archie, we became members! Second time Tracey owner/manger welcome us and we were so well looked after by Kirsty Paula and Nathalie and all loved Archie!! Ivanhoe will always be a great reason to come back to the Hunter Valley!!
2. Leogate Estate Wines
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 376 reviews
The beautiful Leogate Estate offers visitors an elegant and sophisticated cellar door, a beautiful restaurant serving dry aged angus beef and a truly magnificent wedding and function venue.
Reviewed By FarmerJohn45 - Singleton, Australia
Some friends came up from Sydney for a special occasion and we chose to go to Leogate for Lunch - what a great choice!! Our table was by a large window, looking out over lawns and the vineyard, with ducks wandering about and kangaroos in sight as well on the neat lawns. From the time we were seated the excellent service began, with water offered initially then the menus and drinks all seamless and unobtrusive. When our food arrived it all lived up to our expectations and was picturesque, tasty and filling, then the desserts--- O Boy! they were worth the visit in themselves, each of us received a work of art as well as a fantastic, flavourfull and generous platefull. Not cheap but certainly worth the money for a great lunch experience in wonderful surroundings.
3. Harkham Wines
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 415 reviews
Reviewed By 426kiml - Sydney, Australia
My favourite place to vist in the Hunter Valley. The wine is delicious and from now on I will need a constant supply of that amazing chocolate liqueur in my fridge. The staff are so friendly and down to earth - the recommendations they sent through after I made a cellar door booking was a really nice touch as well. Every other cellar door visit in the Hunter Valley was disappointing compared to this one.
4. Brokenwood Wines
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 432 reviews
Reviewed By maddison2021 - Sydney, Australia
We had lunch at the Cru Bar at Brokenwood it was such a lovely meal with great service and it was exceptionally clean
5. Peterson House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 833 reviews
Peterson House is the first stop often taken when visiting the Hunter Valley vineyards. Located at the gateway of the Hunter, the picturesque property is home to the largest array of sparkling wines in the region. Our Cellar Door boasts over 40 varieties of red and white sparkling wine to taste, plus we have a wide range of souvenirs inspired by our motto ... “Life’s Flat Without Bubbles”.
Reviewed By davidmA5726TN - Sydney, Australia
The weather was perfect and we shared some oysters, three very tasty entries (the crunchy prawn tacos were truest awesome ????) and a few glasses of bubbles out on the deck. Great way to end a great short break in the Hunter Valley
6. Piggs Peake Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 334 reviews
Reviewed By naomibL1322TF
This was my favourite winery in the Hunter Valley!! Enjoyable wines, fantastic staff that are very passionate and informative. We spend two hours there and Alex looked after us and made the experience unforgettable.
7. Scarborough Wine Co
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 451 reviews
Please be aware that we are generally unable to take walk-in groups over 8 people if not booked prior to arrival.
Reviewed By Tezalon
Scarborough's wine tasting experience has to be among the best in the region. Small bottles of your chosen wine package, together with a small cheese plate - means you can have a quick slurp and take the rest of the bottle away with you! Kelly was our host and gave us a great overview of each wine, together with an interesting history of the winery - she was quite delightful and very engaging. The vineyard itself is quite beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed our tasting experience. Thanks Kelly!
8. Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 979 reviews
The Wilkinson's were true pioneers of the Australian winemaking industry. Despite two earlier ventures in Australia, the Wilkinson family returned after the brothers Frederick and John had studied winemaking in France and Germany. In 1866 the family acquired the present site of the Audrey Wilkinson vineyard. Living in tents, they cleared the land and planted vines which were sourced from the MacArthur Onslow property. By the early 1900s, Audrey Wilkinson collected awards around Australia for his Hock, claret and fortified wines. Large quantities were exported to London. Audrey committed to leading edge technology which, at the end of the 19th century, included open cement fermenters and steam powered crushers and hoppers. It was here the Audrey Wilkinson legacy was born.
Reviewed By bronwyne619 - Toukley, Australia
I’ve been a member of Audrey Wilkinson’s club for a couple of years. The wine is great - a nice range of ready to drink and cellaring options. The winery is lovely to visit with its great views, small museum and nice tasting room. As a member, we can request a private tasting. I brought my visiting family up this week to do so. Donald had looked at my membership history and customised our visit for my preferences. He educated us in a friendly and interesting way, so that those without much tasting experience were engaged and learnt about wines and the winemaking process. We very much enjoyed our visit, and will continue to highlight AW as one of our “go to” wineries in the hunter.
9. Hunter Valley Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,357 reviews
Reviewed By MargaretStreete - Sydney, Australia
Beautiful gardens easy walking amongst various styles of feature plants, rose garden, serene Japanese garden, waterfalls, and a quaint storybook garden to bring childhood memories alive.
10. Aerohunter
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5 reviews
Ever wondered what it is like to be a Fighter Pilot? Strap in with our Ace Aerobatic Pilots and let them show you excitement and thrill of being in nostalgic radial powered Yak 52. Whether it be a "reconnaissance" mission of the beautiful Hunter Valley or a "Full up" extreme air combat manoeuvers and aerobatics, the crew at Aerohunter will leave you asking for more!
Reviewed By D-Rock2000
My wife and I give our kids experiences for Christmas, rather than presents that just get broken and chucked out. This Christmas we decided to get them, and myself, a flight in the Yak 52. (My wife chickened out). Glen was our pilot for the day. His customer service was excellent. He was friendly, and considerate that some people won't like to go as hard as others. I went first. We pulled 4G in a loop, did barrel rolls, stall turns, and a whole host of other acrobatic maneuvers. It was VERY exhilarating. Our youngest (nearly 13 years old) went next. He pulled 3.5G and did some pretty exciting stuff before calling it quits and spending the rest of the time enjoying the view and trying not to throw up. Our eldest (nearly 18) went last. He also enjoyed a thrilling roller-coaster of a ride, but it caught up with him and he blew chunks at the end. However, he thoroughly enjoyed himself, and his experience was not tainted by the finish. Thanks Glen.
