The Hunter Valley’s Ultimate Family Playground
A day spent at Hunter Valley Resort + The Farm (incorporating 4 Pines at The Farm and Hunter Resort) offers the very best of everything available in the Hunter Valley. But it wasn’t always that way.
Purchased in 1991 by Philip Helé and his family, Hunter Valley Resort + The Farm commenced its transformation into ‘everything Hunter’ from humble beginnings – it was originally a 30-room motel with a small restaurant.
Today, this extraordinary complex offers a host of activities that include adventure, learning experiences, food, wine and craft beer, and a range of accommodation options set in 100 acres of countryside Pokolbin. It is family-friendly and ideal for conferences, weddings, team building, or a fabulous day out with friends. Kids, teenagers, groups of friends, family celebrations or holidays, older couples – there is literally something here that everyone will be thrilled to enjoy.
In 2014 Helé received an Order of Australia (OAM) for services to Australian Tourism and the Hunter Valley, where he had become known as ‘Mr Hunter Valley’. This moniker was further cemented when, in 2022, his Wine Country peers hailed him as a 'Living Legend' of the Hunter Valley.
“The term Mr. Hunter Valley comes from the work I have done in the international inbound tourism space,” said Helé.
“I worked hard to put Hunter Valley Wine country on the map as a must-visit destination for itineraries visiting Sydney, and getting the Hunter Valley included in nearly every travel agent program overseas.”
His success was no doubt in part due to a rich family legacy at the top levels of European hospitality. His family originated in Denmark and immigrated to Australia in the 1960s, bringing their hotelier background. Helé’s great-grandparents owned the famous Grand Hotel in Copenhagen, his Grandparents were the official caterers to King Frederik IV of Denmark, and his parents worked for the Hilton Hotels group worldwide. Knowing how to provide the best in hospitality was in his blood.
For 33 years, Helé has continually refined and expanded his operations.
“Since 1991, we’ve built a substantial food and beverage business, opened a Wine Theatre, Wine School, and the original Bluetongue Brewery. We started Bluetongue Brewery in 2000 and developed it into the sixth largest in Australia. We sold the brand to Coca-Cola in 2008 and became Matilda Bay Brewery until 2021. We then did a joint venture with 4 Pines of Manly for the new facility, where they supply us with the freshest and most innovative products directly from their brewery. The operation here in Hunter Valley is 100% owned and operated by my family,” he said.
“During the Covid lockdown, we went through a very expensive building program and full renovation of our guestrooms. Our new tasting facility and taproom opened in October 2020 with a view (literally!) of building this venue to become the preeminent family-friendly restaurant, wine and beer venue for the Hunter Valley.”
The complex now consists of the Hunter Valley Resort, featuring award-winning accommodation and The Farm, which includes an Adventure Centre with animals, horse-riding, segway tours, and educational options, including Wine and Cooking Schools and the 4 Pines Brewing collaboration, serving craft beer and all-day food at the bistro, seven days per week. There are also vineyards on the property from which the Hunter Farm wine label sources its fruit and a Cellar Door where guests can enjoy tastings of the Hunter Farm wines as well as the wines from several other Hunter Valley wineries, including Margan, Lisa McGuigan, Tranquil Vale and more.
The wine experiences here are extensive and include daily vineyard inspections and guided tours, a Wine School with sessions led by the wine experts, a Wine Theatre for those looking for a deeper understanding and experience of wine, grape stomping and barrel rolling! For those who prefer more active pursuits, there’s always archery, axe-throwing, laser clay shooting, Segway tours, horse-riding tours and even a carriage tour. If food is more your thing, then consider the Candy Making Classes, the Cooking School or the Pizza Making Class. For the kids, there’s interactive animal feeding at The Farm. But if ‘doing things’ is not high on your agenda, there’s nothing better than sitting back and relaxing with a beautiful wine or a cold craft beer, people-watching and enjoying the 360-degree panoramic views.
When it comes to food, it’s available all day, every day, beginning with breakfast at the 4 Pines Bistro featuring all the brekkie favourites from vanilla yoghurt with berries and homemade granola to smashed avocado with fetta, cherry tomatoes and balsamic to double egg and bacon rolls, and eggs Benedict. For lunch you can enjoy burgers, steaks, pizzas, and a range of mains, including beef ragout, schnitzel, Korean chicken rice bowl and loads more.
There are two venue choices for dinner with the Barrel Bistro also open. Both venues serve a slightly extended version of the 4 Pines Bistro lunch menu with the addition of grilled spatchcock, four-hour braised beef short ribs, pork belly and lamb chops.
With so much to do on-site, staying in the resort accommodation is a good option. It would be very easy to fill a few days’ worth of activities and maximum fun without moving from the complex! There is a 36-room lodge onsite and four distinct styles of accommodation options. If you like being close to all the action, such as the pool, tennis court, reception, and other farm facilities, choose from the Hunter or King Rooms. If it’s romance you’re after, the Spa Cottage Rooms are ideal for that loved-up escape, featuring a secluded location, kitchenette and, of course, a two-person spa. For family groups of up to six people, choose the Two Bedroom Cottage. If you book your accommodation directly, they’ll include a $15 breakfast voucher daily and free Wi-Fi.
Helé is proud of his staff and everything they bring to the business.
“We operate as a team with everyone lending a shoulder to the business. This is why Tripadvisor has rated us as the Best 4-Star Hotel and the number one resort in Pokolbin,” he said.
“The resort has also won the Travellers’ Choice Award for six consecutive years. It’s a wonderful accolade for our team. We invite everyone to come and enjoy Hunter Valley Resort and Farm for themselves this Spring.”
Hunter Valley by ‘Wine Train’ Package
Explore the Hunter Valley like never before with a stress-free Wine Train Getaway – no car needed! Embark on a hassle-free journey from Sydney’s Central Station to the heart of Hunter Valley Wine Country. The all-inclusive packages start from $399/night and include:
• Return economy express train tickets to Singleton station;
• Mercedes Benz transfers to and from Singleton station;
• Two nights’ accommodation in a choice of a 4-star guestroom or cottage;
• Onsite Vineyard Tour and Hunter Wine Theatre experience followed by
a private tasting with the Cellarmaster;
• Daily $15pp breakfast vouchers
]Book online at www.huntervalley.com.au/packages.
