Discover the countryside by cycling in the Hunter Valley, a truely amazing experience. The Hunter Valley boasts verdant landscapes dotted with its signature vineyards and tall copses of trees. To truly appreciate the beauty of the terrain it is best to either take a hot-air balloon trip or go sightseeing on a bicycle.
Bicycles provide the chance of stopping at will to sample the valley’s famed delicacies and wines or just to snap a photograph of something that catches your eye.
There are no really steep hills in the valley and pedalling is not an ordeal at all. There are two reputable companies offering bicycle rentals in the locality. Hunter Valley Cycling at Pokolbin places the emphasis squarely on the customer and offers a bicycle rental service that comes with the bonus of free delivery to any location in the valley.
This company also includes complimentary helmets, local maps and a breakdown service. The standard option for adults is a mountain bike with suspension at the front and gears that make going up slight hills a breeze. Tandems are a good choice for couples. Adding a trail-a-bike to the mountain bike instantly converts your bicycle into a tandem for those with kids in tow. There are also several different sized models for children.
Grapemobile is the other principal Hunter Valley Cycling rentals firm and is based at the Pokolbin Brothers Wines’ vineyard. Grapemobile operates a fleet of mountain bikes, tandems and kiddies’ BMX bikes as well as road cruisers fitted with cane baskets.
For people not staying in Pokolbin, the bus’n’bike package is a useful add-on that brings hirers to the vineyard where they can try their helmets for size. Maps, bottled water, sunblock, helmets and breakdown cover are included in rental fees.
Many hirers use their bikes to visit the six boutique wineries on the Palmers Lane eco-trail. Pokolbin Brothers is the first one and the Calais Estate the last. The Verandah Restaurant is located at the Calais Estate and serves up a delectable selection of dishes with oyster, tapas and dessert tasters a definite highlight. Other interesting destinations include Werekata and Cessnock forests, Singleton and the Hunter Valley Chocolate Factory.
