hi there,
we have family coming over in 8 weeks and we want to take them to the hunter valley wine region for a couple of days, but r not sure where to stay, which tour to do etc. i have been looking on a few websites but was wondering if anyone could recommend a b&b to stay or something like that. i have a 4 month old baby as well, so it must be baby freindly. we r also thinking of going to port stephens, so any recommendations for there would be appreciated
thanks

You don't say what sort of budget you have, but we stayed for a couple of nights at Tranquil Vale Vineyard . It's not that cheap but it's a beautiful place, run by an English couple who make their own wine. They can organise tours and other activities and they offer tastings and sales of their wine. They're a very friendly couple who are more than willing to share information with you. They also do great breakfast baskets. We stayed in one of the cottages which was furnished to perfection, and we took along our six year old and our four month old. They provided a cot for him. Check it out anyway, though you might find it a bit expensive ...

we're off there next month with family, staying at this place casa della vigna
it comes highly recommended, and we're taking 2 bubs and a toddler
also recommended is cambridge retreat
we've never bothered with a wine tour, instead take turns to be the driver
the driver always gets the best treatment at the end of the day, sampling the days purchases whilst having dinner cooked for them etc.

I can't really recommend any accomodation as we only live an hour away. We take a picnic or a BBQ and just drive ourselves around to different wineries - there are plenty. You can pick up a map at Tourist Information and just pick a few you like the sound of (or look of as you drive past). A couple we like are Tempus 2 (very modern) and McGuigans where you can taste cheese and oils etc as well, but there are loads and loads of tiny boutique ones as well. If you are there for a few days my advice would be to see how you get on by yourselves before booking a wine tour - then you are not tied to a tour with the children.

Port Stephens is lovely, my favourite places are Shoal Bay and Fingal Bay. We camp so again can't recommend accommodation but there is plenty - the campsites do have cabins though which would be a budget option. The Shoal Bay Resort and Spa is supposed to be very nice but pricier. Nelson Bay is the busy part with a nice marina area to walk about and where you catch the boats for dolphin/whale cruises (a must for visitors) but I prefer just to visit there rather than stay. Depends what you prefer.

Any way - I hope you and your visitors have a lovely time in our neck of the woods - we absolutely love both areas.

Julie