Golf Clubs and Sporting

Hunter Valley Golf Clubs

The Vintage Golf Club

Location
Vintage Drive, Pokolbin

Travel Time
13-min drive

The Vintage Golf Club has been ranked amongst the best in Australia and it’s easy to see why. Measuring at 6,242 metres with a par of 71, this is one of the only Greg Norman-designed public access golf courses in the Hunter Valley and New South Wales. According to Australian Golf Digest, this beautiful course is challenging, engaging and welcoming in equal parts. A classically designed course with exciting terrain amidst natural settings, it’s a must-play for golfers. They are open 7 days a week with a fully serviced driving range, practice chipping area, adjacent driving range and putting green.

Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club

Location
15 Thompsons Road, Pokolbin

Travel Time
16-min drive

Set in the idyllic wine district of the Hunter Valley, Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club features a 6,487 metre par 72 18-hole championship golf course. Ranked among the top resort courses in Australia, the course was designed by Steve Smyers of Florida in 1992 and remains a masterpiece till this day. Flanked between the Hunter Valley’s famous vineyards and the surrounding Brokenback mountain range, the views are spectacular, making it a true joy to play. A public golf course open to all, come for the daily rounds or join with a full annual membership. An absolute must for serious golfers, this championship layout boasts impressive fairway shapes and elevation changes, 60 strategically located bunkers and lush greens that are well-maintained throughout the seasons.

Branxton Golf Club

Location
25 Cessnock Road, Branxton

Travel Time
5-min drive

Built in 1921, the Branxton Golf Club is a beautiful, well-maintained par 70, 9-hole golf course. Alternate tee positions are provided for most holes for an 18 hole game of 5547 metres. The course features two par 5s, four par 4s and three par 3s each with their own challenges. The course offers spectacular views of lush green fairways.

Known as The Ultimate Nine, this long standing golf club has challenged golfing greats such as Billy Dunk, Ian Stanley, Peter Lonard, Nathan Green, and Andre Stolz, as well as internationals like Dame Laura Davies. Several of its members have been with the club for over 5 decades, with many of their juniors making their mark in today’s global golfing scene.

Branxton Golf Club also has a fully stocked pro shop with lessons available.

Hunter Valley Golf Club

Location
430 Wine Country Drive, Lovedale

Travel Time
16-min drive

Hunter Valley Golf Club is located on the grounds of the Rydges Resort Hunter Valley. Featuring large undulating greens, this scenic 18-hole golf course presents a challenge to novice and seasoned golfers alike. Well-equipped with premium facilities, service and unparalleled natural beauty with its acres of manicured fairways and greens, golfers will enjoy conquering the course with strategically placed bunkers, water hazards and matured trees to further improve their game experience.

The club offers attractive midweek and weekend golf and lunch packages for those who are keen on advancing their game. Lunch is served at the Lovedale Bar + Grill.

Hunter Valley Aqua Golf

Location
Hunter Valley Gardens, 2090 Broke Road, Pokolbin

Travel Time
16-min drive

A driving range with a wow factor, the Hunter Valley Aqua Golf is a fun, entertainment option for the whole family. Immensely popular with both locals and tourists, Aqua Golf is an activity not to be missed when you’re in the Hunter region. Established in 1979, this iconic destination continues to provide laughter and thrills with this outdoor activity amidst a relaxed, picturesque setting. The objective of this game is to hit golf balls into a lake. If your ball lands in a floating net, you win a prize. The smaller the net, the bigger the prize. Players can win vouchers to cellar doors, restaurants, helicopter rides, hot air balloon rides, golf games plus cash jackpots! Fun for all ages, Aqua Golf is a great way to spend the day and it’s affordable too! Purchase a bucket of 36 golf balls for only $9. Free golf clubs are available for loan.

Hunter Valley Tennis

Branxton Tennis Club

Location
Miller Park, East Branxton

Travel Time
8-min drive

Branxton Tennis Club offers social tennis and training programs for all ages and skill levels. As a volunteer-run tennis club, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming and the coaches are committed to improving your game. The club hosts a mixed doubles competition on Monday and Tuesday nights and a ladies' competition on Tuesdays.

Ambrose Tennis Academy

Location
Miller Park, East Branxton

A dynamic tennis program is a great way to jumpstart your child’s love for the sport. Ambrose Tennis Academy offers superb facilities with excellent coaching. The two coaches, Jason and Emma Ambrose, are passionate and committed with a wealth of experience in tennis. Here, the programs are tailored to be age and ability-specific to ensure students receive the right training. In addition to regular classes (group and private available), Ambrose Tennis Academy offers tennis camps during the school holidays, allowing students to maximise their potential through strategy work, mental training and more.

Scheduled classes are run in Dungog and Rutherford and private lessons on residential courts by appointment.

Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Other Outdoor Activities

Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures

Location
288 Talga Road, Lovedale

Travel Time
17-min drive

Set in the peaceful surroundings of the lower Hunter and Wine Country, Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures offers a variety of horse and pony rides for visitors. Enjoy spectacular, panoramic views as you ride over the Molly Morgan Range and go as far north as Barrington Tops. Promising a unique experience with an action-packed itinerary, their rides are designed for all ages and for all levels of experience. Pony rides are available from 10 minutes, 30 minutes or 1 hour, whilst trail rides are from 1 hour to 2 hours. If you are geared up for half day rides, do select a picnic ride, sunset ride or a BBQ ride to make your ride even more magical.

Up for more Hunter Valley adventures? This professional, fun-filled operator also provides a variety of activities that include bush walking, camping and farm stays, donkey and mule walks, tractor rides to feed animals, nighttime wildlife tours, go-kart racing and many more.

Hunter Valley Horses

Location
917 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin

Travel Time
16-min drive

Hunter Valley Horses is known for providing great horseback and carriage ride service. You will be riding through bushlands, vineyards and local back roads in the Hunter Valley. There are plenty of experiences to choose from including a 6-hour Private Horse & Carriage Wine Tour in a Cinderella-style carriage designed for couples and Taste The Valley Horse Carriage Wine Tour with Lunch. The latter includes visits to 3-4 cellar doors, cheese and chocolate tasting and lunch at the Blaxland Inn. The tours allow sufficient time at each venue, allowing guests to indulge in the moment when savouring Hunter Valley’s delicious local wine and produce. There’s also a farm filled with barnyard animals. Kids get to see how farms work and try their hand at feeding the animals. The barnyard crew includes sheep, goats, cows, ducks, chickens, donkeys, alpacas and more!

Hunter Farm and Adventure Centre

Location
Mistletoe Lane, Behind Hunter Valley Resort, Pokolbin

Travel Time
16-min drive

Looking for an adrenaline rush? Head on to Hunter Farm and Adventure Centre, the only dedicated spot in the Hunter Valley that offers a variety of fun, thrilling experiences set in a 30-hectare property. The fun here never stops. Whether you’ve got a few hours or a couple of days, the team here will expertly plan out your adventure based on your requirements. With everything under one roof, this place offers a list of activities for fun seekers including vineyard horse riding, electric bike tours, Segway tours, barrel rolling, grape-stomping, wine and beer tasting, candy making and many others. Kids can also feed farm animals as well as learn how to harvest, plant and water crops. This Hunter Valley wonderland truly has something for everyone!