Visit Wollombi Valley and what to do on your stay in the Hunter Valley

If you're planning a trip to Laguna, Wollombi Valley NSW, get ready for a nature stay surrounded by National Parks and State Forests. Feel hidden away on your getaway and explore this tiny hamlet and what it offers. 

Laguna and Wollombi are small towns in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. They are only 90 minutes from Sydney and Newcastle and under one hour from the Central Coast along Tourist Drive 33.

Your host, Daniela Riccio of Little Valley Farm Alpaca farm in Laguna, will give you the insider scoop on what's happening and what to do when visiting this charming hamlet. 

Firstly, book your accommodation directly with your host and avoid overseas booking platforms. Think of it as keeping it all local, helping the circular economy and grabbing a better deal for yourself.

Little Valley Farm BEST UNIQUE STAY Finalist 2023 by Airbb

Check out the 1950s Glamping Rustic Train Carriage overlooking the alpaca paddocks, or go for the beautifully built Shearer's Studio with this own wood-fired Finnish Dry Sauna for something unique. 

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Here's a basic itinerary to help you make the most of your trip:

Day 1: Arrival and Exploration

Morning/Afternoon: Arrival

• Arrive in Laguna and enjoy brunch or a tipple at the Trading Post Laguna. This charming pub, cafe and restaurant should always be your first stop in Laguna, plus a little retail splurge thanks to the Laguna Luxe lifestyle.

Afternoon: Explore Local Attractions

Explore the historic town of Wollombi Village, known for its heritage buildings and art galleries. Grab an ice cream from the Wollombi General Store and enjoy walking around the tiny hamlet.

Take a casual nature walk around the Wollombi Brook, and enter Negro Road just past the Tennis Club House. 

Wine Tasting at Noyce Brothers Wine and a quick coffee top-up at Wollombi Kitchen Next Door cafe or lunch at Myrle and Stone or Wollombi Tavern.

Evening: Dinner

• Have dinner at a local restaurant or pub. Wollombi Tavern is a popular choice on beautiful evenings with its casual outdoor courtyard or go for something special up the road at Wollombi Kitchen and be spoilt for culinary delights thanks to Chef Rhomney. 

Day 2: Nature and Adventure

Morning: Breakfast and Wineries

• Start your day with breakfast at the local cafe, Myrtle and Stone, perched up on the hill in Wollombi Village. 

• Visit nearby wineries like Stonehurst Cedar Creek or Undercliff Winery for wine tasting.

  Afternoon: Outdoor Activities

• Head to Yengo National Park for hiking or bushwalking. The Finchley Cultural Walk is a great option. Make sure you have the right type of vehicle for this track of creek crossings and dirt roads. 

• Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the natural beauty of the park.

• Book a game of tennis at the Wollomb Tennis Club. 

Photo credit: The Trading Post Laguna, Wollombi Valley. 2023

Evening: Relaxation

• After your outdoor activities, relax at your accommodation or enjoy a quiet evening in the serene surroundings. 

Day 3: Art and Culture

Morning: Breakfast and Gallery Visit

• Have breakfast and explore local cafes.

• Visit local art galleries, such as the Wollombi Cultural Centre or forage for a while at The Forge, curious finds and antiques and a casual stroll down to Roadside Gallery by the old world of 1881 Wollombi School and 1849 Wollombi Cemetary. 

  Afternoon: Local Markets

• If your visit coincides with local markets, like the Wollombi Market Day, explore the unique offerings from local artisans and producers. They are usually held on long weekends; otherwise, you can head up to Pokolbin for their markets. It is a 40-minute casual drive, and do check out the Wine Loop trail when heading up there.  

  Evening: Farewell Dinner

• Have a farewell dinner at a different local restaurant or pub. Wollombi Kitchen, The Trading Post, Wollombi Tavern. 

Day 4: Departure

Morning: Leisure and Packing

• Take a leisurely morning to enjoy the surroundings or do any last-minute exploring.

• Check out of your accommodation and start your journey back home, and if you are heading back to Sydney, take a detour via Mt White and stop in at Saddles for lunch or coffee to ease getting back into the Sydney rush. 

Remember to check for any local events or festivals during your visit, as they can add a special touch to your trip. Additionally, always consider the current travel guidelines and conditions and plan accordingly.

Daniela has listed her favourite places to eat, drink, and shop in Wollombi Valley and the Hunter Valley surrounding area. 

Lets chat all things harvest trails with ABC702AM

Hello there! I'm excited to return to ABC ‘Weekend Mornings’ 702AM with Simon Marnie. However, Simon is away this week, so I'll be conversing with the amazing Dom Knight about the harvest trails in Sydney.

In case you missed our chat, I have included some links below to the places we discussed. You can visit these places to support the farmers' markets this Christmas and show your support to the growers and producers of Australia. Enjoy! Thanks, Daniela

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Markets 

Castle Hill Farmers & Fine Food Market  

Saturday 9th December, 2023 

8 am to 12 noon @ Castle Hill Showground

It's the second-last market for the year, so don't miss out.  Also, get your pre-Christmas orders in with the vendors for collection at the Christmas Twilight market on the 20th. 

4 pm to 8 pm, which will be the final market for 2023. https://www.harvesttrailsandmarkets.com.au

Carriageworks Farmers Market 

The smell of Christmas is alive, thanks to Dural Christmas Tree Farm.

Trees available: Saturday 9th and Saturday 16th December, 2023. 8 am to 1 pm. 

Heads up: Parking in the precinct will be limited; however, there will be a pickup area for quickly collecting trees after payment.

https://www.facebook.com/CarriageworksFarmersMarket

https://carriageworks.com.au/events/carriageworks-farmers-market

Organic Food Markets

Glebe 

Saturday (11.00 am to 4:00 pm) Glebe Public School 

Leichhardt 

Saturday (9.00 am to 1:00 pm) Orange Grove Public School, Leichhardt

St Ives

Saturday (9.00 am to 2:00 pm) St Ives Showground Market, 450 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives

Marrickville

Sunday (10.00 am to 3 pm) 142 Addison Road, Addison Road Centre, Marrickville

Mona Vale 

Sunday (9.00 am to 1:00 pm) Mona Vale Pittwater RSL, 82 Mona Vale Road, Mona Vale

Seaforth

Sunday (9.00 am to 12:30 pm)

https://www.organicfoodmarkets.com.au

Photo credit ABC 702AM

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PICK YOUR OWN 

Pine Crest Orchard, Bilpin

PYO Peaches 

Saturday 9th December, 10 am  - 3 pm or until picked/sold out. 

Not open on Sunday.

Peaches $6/kg

No booking required

Entry fee $2/person 3 years and older

Bring your own bags or buy ours for $2

Cash or EFTPOS available

Dogs welcome on a lead for a family day out. 

https://pinecrestorchard.com.au/

Photo credit: Pine Crest Orchard

TNT Produce Pick Your Own Bilpin 

PYO delicious Strawberries

Open Sunday, 10th December 2023

10 am to 4 pm 

Walk-ins only - bookings not required

Entry   $10 per adult and $5 for children 3 to12

$20 kilo for what you pick

No EFTPOS so bring cash. 

Dogs on a leash are welcome

Address 153 Kurts Road, Bilpin

https://tntproduce.com.au/pick-your-own/pick-your-own-message/

Cedar Creek Orchard 

PYO Peaches + a new variety - the White Peach 

Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th December 2023 

$8 per person includes a fun tractor ride out to the paddocks. 

Make sure you jump on their website and make a booking in case they sell out. 

https://cedarcreekorchard.rezdy.com/

Glenbernie Family Farms

The farm closed today due to extreme heat but they will be OPEN 

Sunday 10th December from 9 AM - 3 PM

With So So many gorgeous sunflowers in bloom on Sunday you can get 2 free sunflowers with every adult entry.

Entry fee

Adults $15 / Kids $8 (4-16) / Kids 3 and under free

Flowers PYO

Sunflower $5

BYO secateurs (otherwise hire them for $6) 

610 Bells Line of Rd, Kurmond NSW 2757,

https://glenberniefamilyfarms.com.au/contact-us/

Coming up 

The Bloom Barn Farm

PYO Sunflowers will be available for picking in December at Peats Ridge. 

8 am to 12 pm on the 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th of December. 

Book via their website https://thebloombarn.com.au/

You are welcome to bring your own rug and drinks to enjoy the day on the farm. 

Hunter Lavender Farm

Broke, Hunter Valley 

The newest lavender farm in Broke Is on BLOOM watch this week.  

Soft open day today, 9th December 2023.

Admission is free of charge from the 9th to the 14th of December, and no booking is required. 

The farm shop, gelato bar, and lavender field walk experience are open. The lavender field has flowers, but they are not fully bloomed yet as they rely on a lot of sunshine.

https://hunterlavenderfarm.com.au

Photo credit : Hunter Lavender Farm

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If you know of any great farmer's markets, pick-your-own fruit farms, farm events, or flower picking opportunities, please let me know. I would love to explore new ways to support our local farmers and growers.

What to do when staying in Laguna at Little Valley Farm

Laguna & Wollombi Valley

Hungry for adventure? Check out my picks of the tastiest eats and things to do in Wollombi Valley.

In Laguna, there is only one pub/cafe available. And in Wollombi Village, there are two cafes, one restaurant, and only one pub. However, you should be prepared as they all close early. It's important to note that there is no supermarket in the village, so make sure to bring your own supplies (BYO).

The Hunter Valley is a VAST region, and we are in the stunning bush setting of Wollombi Valley in the TINY hamlet of Laguna.

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The Trading Post Laguna

Discover a hidden gem for your next coffee, lunch, tipples or a Friday night dinner. It is located only 4.5 km from us and is nestled along Great North Road, just past the Laguna Public School. Take a seat on the verandah and soak up the natural beauty of Laguna Village.

This unique establishment is a fusion of a bar, cafe and restaurant. You can start your day right with breakfast from 8 am and enjoy a casual lunch any day of the week. Dinner is only served on Friday night, so book online. The last seating for dinner is 8:30 pm. Menu here. Phone 4998 8244

The Trading Post

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Wollombi Village, a 10-minute drive

The serene Wollombi Valley includes Laguna and boasts a charming bushland backdrop, rich cultural sites, and a laid-back ambience, offering a perfect refuge for those searching for a peaceful getaway. The village may be small, with only a few daytime dining options, but its beauty and serenity are bound to leave a lasting impression on visitors.

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*Wollombi Kitchen & NEXT DOOR Cafe. If you're in the mood for some delicious daytime coffee, sandwiches, or cakes to enjoy in or take out, this welcoming spot is located in the heart of Wollombi Village, next to Noyce Brothers Wine.

The NEW Wollombi Kitchen is a small restaurant, so make sure you book early. Book the garden or back verandah on lovely days, and on cool nights, book inside seating. Lovely restaurant with great food!

*Noyce Brothers Wine Head over to the cellar door to get your hands on some exquisite wine and do a tasting with Julie. While you're there, take a moment to appreciate the breathtaking formal garden at the back and indulge in a fun game of giant chess. Closed Tue/Wed.

Myrtle & Stone, This gem of a country cafe, serves up mouthwatering breakfast and lunch dishes with warm and welcoming country hospitality. And the best part? It's only a quick ten-minute drive away! Open seven days a week, you can enjoy their delectable menu starting at 7 am on weekdays and 8 am on weekends. Be sure to stop by before their last lunch serving at 2 pm.

*Wollombi Tavern: The courtyard area is a popular spot for locals to enjoy drinks and live music. It's a good, relaxing, unpretentious place for an afternoon beer. The venue offers casual pub lunch and dinner but go early to beat the rush. Menu here. The last food is served by 7 pm mid-week and 8 pm on weekends. Seating is outdoors, so rug up on cool nights. Phone 4998 3261.

*Undercliff Vineyard - Wollombi Wine-tasting cellar door + check out made in Wollombi, Incy Wincy Cyder. Just ask Peter, the cellar door owner. Phone first to ensure they are open, as it’s a 2 km drive from Wollombi Village.

*One Tomato Private chef, Nathan Cooper, will come and cook up a storm for you and your friends. Suitable for 4 guests. Plant-based meals and on-site cooking classes are options. Catering starts from $150++ pp. (This is only suitable for our train carriage guests, not the studio).

“Make sure you plan and book in advance, as some businesses are not open daily and cafes and restaurants close early in Wollombi Valley. So be prepared.”

— Daniela

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Restaurants in Pokolbin, Lovedale, Mt View & Broke. 40-minute drive.

Are you looking for unique dining spots along the wine trails? Check out these fantastic eateries just a short 40-minute drive from us.

Bistro Molines, - quintessentially Hunter Valley and an outstanding lunchtime experience with amazing vineyard views. Secure your booking via their website, or you will miss out. It’s a dining experience not to miss when in the Hunter and one of our favourite places. Casual chic dress code. BOOK EARLY!

Autumn Image thanks to Bistro Molines

Muse Restaurant, - outstanding and the finest place to dine for true food connoisseurs. Book late afternoon or early dinner and make it a memorable dining experience not to be missed for foodies. Smart casual attire. BOOK EARLY.

Leaves & Fishes is a charming casual restaurant in Lovedale with great light snacks, friendly service, and a relaxing location. Go for a casual lunchtime sitting by the dam. Table service on the balcony can be booked early, or you can drop in to enjoy a light snack in the serene garden area.

Other places to check out:

Margans, Muse Kitchen, Pigs Peaks,

Amanda’s on the Edge and Lovedale Smokehouse.

Saddles Mt White is my favourite bakehouse.
If driving from Sydney along the M1, book an early lunch at Saddles Mt White, and check in at the farm at 3-4 pm. It is a must for foodies and people who appreciate elegant Australian homestead architecture. The design is inspiring, and the food and service are always outstanding. There is a coffee van, so you can sit by the lovely dam if you want something more day time casual.

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Tours 

*Grape Experience Tours. Looking for a delightful tour experience? Grape Experience Tours offers mini-bus tours with friendly, experienced guides Melissa and Mark. They even provide pick-up and drop-off services for your convenience. If you need transportation for a wedding, Grape Experience Tours also offers transfers. To book, get in touch with Melissa here or phone 0414457956.

*Hunter Tesla Tours up to 5 adults. Luxury, eco-friendly. Ph1300 080 315.

Please note that all taxi/minibus pick-ups are on Watagan Creek Road. So park your car near our letterbox, and they will collect you there. They won’t drive to the cabins, so you must meet them there.

Also, there is no Uber service here.

Photo credit Tourist Drive 33

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Get Active 

BYO Bicycles. The best and most relaxing rides are down Watagan Creek Road, which are road & gravel (20-40 km). Wollombi rides are for experienced riders only, especially on the weekends when there is a lot of traffic on the narrow road between Laguna and Wollombi.

Horse Riding in the Hunter

If coming from Sydney or the Central Coast, book a horse riding experience at Glenwoth Valley, just off the M1 on the Tourist Drive Route 33.

If you are heading up to Pokolbin or Lovedale, book horse riding at Hunter Valley Horses, about 40 mins from our farm.

Bush lookout and hikes

Finchley Lookout. Looking out across the remote wilderness from Finchley lookout, you would never know you were just a few hours from Sydney or Newcastle—drive time approx 35 minutes.

*If there has been rain, expect some creek crossings, and you will need a SUV/4WD for this drive.

The other lookout and hike is Flat Rock Lookout Correbare State Forest. Hikes and lookouts. Please Google and do your online research for this, as you could get very lost on a hike.

Wollombi Village Brook is an easy 1 km nature walk. Start at the village Museum and head down to the brook. Download the map here.

Wollombi Tennis Club

If you're staying midweek, you can book a court in Wollombi Village, just a 10-minute drive away. Rates start from $15 but check online to book. After the game head to Wollombi Kitchen, Myrtle & Stone or Wollombi Tavern for refreshments.

Creative Workshops

Join Heather for Art and Sip workshops at Hollybrook in Wollombi. You can either book in advance for Heather to come to you, or you can visit her beautiful Wollombi studio at Sweetmans Creek, which is approximately 15 minutes from our farm. Heather offers a range of prices from $80 to $150+ per person. You can paint anything you like, including an alpaca - just ask Heather. And if you're on your way to the studio, don't miss the opportunity to stop by the Stonehurst cellar door for some wine tasting. Remember to book in advance to secure your spot.

*Girri Girra Aboriginal Tours Wonderful tours and an amazing smoking ceremony for large groups on the farm. A great way to appreciate the valley environment and honour the past. Private walking tours up to Finchley. https://girrigirra.com.au

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Wine tastings @ Little Valley Farm

No need to travel as they come to you!

*Sip & Stay offers the luxury of a private wine experience in the train or studio from 6 pm.

Approximately $250+ for four people, so gather your friends and book the entire farm stay with us for four adults. Sip and Stay book via their website in advance and confirm their rates. withwww.staynsip.com

Wine Trail 

Start with a casual wine tasting with Julie at Noyce Brothers Wine in Wollombi, then drive 2kms to Undercliff Vineyard (phone first), in Yango Creek Road; a must-visit is Krinklewood in Broke (40 mins drive); there are heaps of places to stop and enjoy, so take your time. Next, check out the Mt View drive and head to Pokolbin, where all the big cellar doors are and lunchtime places. Drive back via the loop road Cessnock-Wollombi or vice versa. You can use google maps once you are in the mobile range in Wollombi.

Other places to enjoy around Pokolin and Lovedale, Broke.

Saddlers Wine Creek, 

VAMP by Lisa McGuigan. Have you tried the decadent and inspirational cellar door that takes you to another dimension? It's one of my favourites, so I highly recommend checking it out.

Audrey Wilkinson and Winemark Wines / Krinklewood Vineyard.

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OTHER INFO

*Pokolbin vineyards, concerts, and hot air balloon rides are located 40 minutes away. If you have booked a balloon ride, note that it requires a 3:30/4 am start time, but you should confirm the time with the event company.

*Rain equals mud at concerts and on the farm, so bring boots. Bringing indoor and outdoor shoes when staying in the cabins is recommended for cabin hygiene reasons.

*No mobile reception in Laguna, only at Wollombi Village.  

*Businesses close early in the country, so pre-book and plan your lunch & dinner options. The Hunter is all about long lunches, so book a place and pick up a simple grazing platter for dinner to enjoy back at the cabin.

*Bring cash for small businesses as Wollombi Village has no ATM.

Firewood

*If you want more firewood for the bonfire or fireplace, you can order in advance and pick it up from Laguna Luxe, Wollombi General Store or Bunnings along the way. The price is around $25 per bag. You can pre-order with Laguna Luxe on 0420 312 517. We will always leave you with firewood, so it’s up to you if you want more.

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Notes

Large grocery shops are best done before getting here. The closest large grocery shop is Aldi (Syd) Berowra or Cessnock, to the North is 40 km from us. If coming from the Central Coast, pick something up there.  

If travelling down the M1, expect Friday night traffic delays. Plan at least 2.5 hours. If there is rain, expect a more extended trip and follow LIVE TRAFFIC for travel times. 

Kindly be advised that the prices above are merely recommendations and are subject to change by the service providers. It would be best to contact them directly for accurate & updated information. We sincerely thank you for supporting the local businesses in the valley.

Laguna and Wollombi surrounded by National Parks and State Forest.

Wood-Fired Pizza Oven

Have you booked our glamping train carriage? Unsure about your food options? Then take advantage of your stay and book in our wood-fired pizza oven. Please note, this is exclusive to train carriage guests only. To help you get started, we have some pizza tips.

To use our wood-fired pizza oven, reserve it 36 hours before you arrive and let me know your preferred date. Simply message me.

• Euan and I need time to sort the kindling and well-seasoned timber and ensure the right temperature. This process takes three hours to get the right temp for you.

• Please note that rain or fire ban days will affect the use of the wood-fired oven, but we have the undercover BBQ with a pizza stone as a backup.

• The wood-fired pizza oven is best-suited for making pizza bases or nice Italian pre-made bases. Note, Lebanese bread and skinny pizzas are best cooked in our gas BBQ.

What type of dough? If you don’t want to make your own dough, the PICASSO KITCHEN DOUGH BALLS pictured below are great, and you can get them from your local supermarket. Also, Bakers Delight and Harris Farm have very nice pre-made pizza bases that are perfect for the wood-fired pizza oven.

Your first pizza is sacrificial, and your last is always the best.

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Things to know:

• The wood-fired oven will remain warm to 100 degrees in the morning so you can warm up your leftover pizzas for brekkie.

• We have pizza pans and a rolling pin in the kitchen so BYO food toppings and pizza base.

• We only use three years of well-seasoned timber in the wood-fired pizza oven.

• We will give you a quick rundown on baking time, which can be from 2 to 6 minutes, so you don't burn your base.

• We will show you how to do it and leave it for you to manage the fire and baking with enough timber to get you through to dinner time.

• Shopping is limited around here as we are a remote village, so pick up your groceries BEFORE heading here.

• If you are based in Sydney check out Hanks Hot Box pizza ingredients delivery service. We have not used this service as we are remote, but maybe another option is to order in Sydney & bring it here. https://hankshotbox.com.au. Let us know if this service is any good.

• Fire safety is extremely important, so we will give you a rundown of this.
  

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Little Valley farm is a couples-only farmstay for the adventurous and eco-conscious.

Daniela has put together a list of things to do when staying at Little Valley Farm. From yoga with the alpacas, mountain bike hire or art and sip classes - click here for your ultimate city escape!

Along the Harvest Trails this weekend with Simon Marnie

Get ready for an exciting adventure! I recently had a chat with Simon Marnie from ABC 702AM Weekend Morning about the thrilling harvest trails for you and your family this long weekend.

Discover the highlights of our conversation and embark on an unforgettable journey along the harvest trails. Listen to Simon Marnie, ABC 702AM Weekend Morning Show every Saturday. Get the listen App.

Markets 

Wollombi Valley Market Day 

Monday 2nd October, 8 am to 2 pm. 

This is where we live in the Hunter Valley and a great place for us to catch up and connect with our community. Find antiques, bric-a-brac, fresh produce, fresh bread, and activities for the kids at our community market day. Market day raises funds for our Laguna RFS and community facilities.

NEW Markets at Stanmore

Stanmore Community Markets 

Grand Opening TODAY - Saturday 20th September 2023 

Artisan and Gourmet Food + Fresh produce. 8 am to 1 pm. 

Stanmore Road, Stanmore 

https://www.facebook.com/stanmorecommunitymarkets

http://www.stanmorecommunitymarkets.com.au/

Carriageworks Farmers Market 

Every Saturday, 8 am to 1 pm

The market is a Sydney institution providing the freshest seasonal produce from the best growers and producers from around NSW. Talk to the farmer firsthand and learn the stories behind your food. Find organic and biodynamic produce, artisan breads, boutique wines, single-origin coffee, herbal teas, meat and freshly cut flowers. 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh

Stallholder list: https://carriageworks.com.au/events/carriageworks-farmers-market

Organic Food Markets

Open-air markets are right across Sydney. 

Find Certified Organic food, artisan gourmet produce and conventional fresh fruit & veg, freshly baked bread and patisserie, seasonal produce from the farmer and other delicacies. In fact, all the goodies you love to eat are at the markets every week, rain or shine.

Newcastle - Friday & Saturday, 9 am to 3 pm

Leichhardt - Saturday, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Marrickville - Sunday, 9 am to 3 pm

Mona Vale - Sunday, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm

Seaforth - Sunday, 8:00 am to 12:30 pm

https://www.organicfoodmarkets.com.au/

Family Fun Events 

The Giving Farm Jilliby 

Is a small family farm on the Central Coast by Missy and Anthony. 

They are running lots of school holiday workshops, bee education days and also growing delicious blueberries, sunflowers and seasonal flowers such as the pretty Dutch Iris.

Monday 2nd October 2023 

Buzzzzyyyy Bee Session for the kids – Native Bees & Bee Hotel Making workshop. $55. 

Learn all about our native bees and pollinators.

• Learn about native bees and the difference between pollinators

• Learn about the importance of bees and how we can help pollinators

• Build a bee hotel to take home. (all materials supplied)

• Plant some seeds in a pot to take home

• Try to find some native bees and pollinators in their blueberry orchard.

The Giving Farm. 147 Durren Rd Jilliby. 

COMING UP…. Pick Your Own Spring Flowers. 

https://thegivingfarm.com.au/product/buzzzzyyyy-bee-session-native-bees-bee-hotel-making-fun/

Anderson Farm 

Pick your own fruit morning sessions

2 hrs |$5 entry adult $10 bucket of Oranges. 

951 Sackville Ferry Road, Sackville North,

https://andersonfarm.com.au/online-bookings

Watkins Family Farm

PYO and have fun and get their fruit picked. 

FINAL WEEKEND for PYO, so don’t miss out. 

Open all long weekend - Open Saturday, Sunday & Monday. 

No need to book, lots of free parking and plenty of fruit to pick.

They had so much fun last weekend making juice & munching ice cream that they are doing it again. Watkins Family Farm 

1006 Singleton Road, Laughtondale

https://watkinsfamilyfarm.com.au

COMING UP & New

Central Coast Edible Garden Trail

EXPLORE – CONNECT – LEARN

Inspirational gardens – growing a community & growing food naturally

Explore edible gardens on the Central Coast 

21st + 22nd October, 2023

An annual ticketed, self-guided weekend event showcasing home and community gardens growing food naturally. Ticket buyers can visit the gardens that interest them and plan their weekend to suit.  All gardens grow food naturally, and many demonstrate a range of permaculture systems. Visiting gardens across Gorford, Woy Woy, Killcare, Bateau Bay just to name a few. 

A great way to encourage people to try growing food naturally at home by providing a direct connection between new and experienced gardeners, bringing opportunities to share knowledge, inspire and grow the community. 

The first Edible Garden Trail took place in 2018 in the Blue Mountains, the brainchild of Susanne Rix, this wonderful initiative has grown into a movement with new Edible Garden Trails popping up all over Australia. 

The Central Coast Edible Garden Trail is ticketed event so hop on their website. 

https://www.facebook.com/CentralCoastEdibleGardenTrail

https://centralcoastediblegardentrail.org.au/

I will be back next month with more things along the harvest trails and more…..

Thank you, Daniela

Thats me having a chat with Sukki and the girls at feeding time

Lovedale Long Lunch 2023

Get ready to indulge in a weekend of delectable dishes and flavorful wines at the Lovedale Long Lunch!

Foodies can experience all that Lovedale has to offer as seven wineries come together with some of the Hunter Valley's top chefs, along with plenty of local entertainment for an extraordinary occasion. So make some memories - gather your friends, escape to Little Valley Farm, hop on board, book a bus tour, and taste every flavour imaginable from these delightful vintages and gourmet offerings- it’s time for you to embark on this epicurean adventure!

Spend your day in Lovedale, then return to Little Valley Farm for an unforgettable afternoon of rest and relaxation. We offer a traditional Wood-fired Finnish Dry Sauna, an outdoor bath with views of grazing alpacas, wood-fired pizza ovens (BYO pizzas), that will delight your taste buds, plus cozy bonfire nights complete with marshmallows!

Little Valley Farm is a 40-minute drive to Lovedale, but you can book your minibus with Melissa and Mark of Grape Experience tours.

Book your tickets to Lovedale Long Lunch Here

Book your accommodation for four people—message Daniela to secure your two cabins for two nights, as we have a special cabin rate just for you.

The train has a queen bed, and the studio has a king bed. Four adults only. Read more here on our cabins.

Mountain Biking in The Hunter Valley With Hunter Valley Tours And Rentals

Calling all adventurers!

Now is your chance to explore the beautiful Hunter Valley on two wheels with Hunter Valley Tours and Rentals. With guided mountain bike and ebike tours available in Laguna and Wollombi, you can see the best the valley has to offer at your own pace. And for the more experienced riders, you can go further afield to explore even more of this stunning region. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and get active!

Talk about beautiful scenery in Laguna!

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Here's a quick video that Euan took on his eMTB Guided Tour this month. From Laguna up to Dead Dog Hill, then into Wollombi with a stop at The Trading Post Laguna. This ride was only 30kms on an eBike, and now he is addicted.

What to wear? Don't stress this; just wear your active gear and closed shoes, preferably old trainers.

Adventure means adventure, so be prepared to discover or dip into small creek crossings, especially after the rain. Have fun. That's what it's all about.

What you need: Reusable water bottle that fits into the bike carriage. Please avoid buying one-time-use plastic bottles for the sake of this planet.

Where to book?

Book the package tours where they supply everything bike-y such as eBike, helmet and tour guide.

Check out their tours and book to your fitness level. There are beginners, intermediate and advanced, including Black Diamond for the hardcore riders.

Price?

Beginner Tours from $50 and upgrade to an electric MTB for even more fun. For only $30 more per person, you'll get a premium eMTB that makes light work of the hills. Advanced Tours from $80.

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We know you will enjoy your stay with us. Whether it's a rustic glamping train adventure or our shearers studio, Little Valley Farm has something for everyone!

The best part? You can book directly through Daniela and save on platform fees when booking direct - get your dates in early so you can secure our two cabins and start planning your adventure away.

Wollombi Valley Stays

You won't find a better way to spend your weekends than in the country. You can enjoy bonfires, alpaca cuddles and chilling under the Hunter Valley sky.

Escape the city with three of your friends and enjoy our rustic train and new shearers studio. Spacious, eco, relaxing and perfect for making memories with your besties. Book direct with Daniela and save.

Country days and country nights are the perfect way to relax.

Our Top Five Things to do:

1. Grab your yoga mat and sit and stretch with the alpacas on the paddock. Quiet time is what they love the most when hanging with humans.

2. Get active and hire a MTB bike to enjoy the country sites of Laguna. Ride to GNTP for brekkie and coffee or do the 20 km ride along Watagan Creek Road to work up a dinner time appetite.

3. Wine tasting tour with Grape Experience Tours and discover the best places with Melissa and Mark.

4. Get creative with Art and Sip workshop with Heather. You can paint an alpaca if you like.

5. Read a book, do nothing, fall asleep in the hammock.

Top Five things to do around the bonfire:

1. Enjoy our wood-fired pizza oven. BYO pizza and spend the afternoon making and baking. I swear the pizza tastes better in the country.

2. Shot for the stars and let Mother nature light up your night. Stargazing at its best on the train deck and by the bonfire.

3. Bonfire nights where friends and marshmallows go perfectly together. Do you prefer pink, white or both marshmallows?

4. Look out for wildlife and what you can spot? It’s their home also. Wombat, foxes, bats, eagles, wallaroo, eels, eastern grey kangaroo and our amazing feathered friends flying about the valley.

5. Pick up some local wine or cider and enjoy it with dinner by the bonfire.

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Jump on our website and subscribe so you can enjoy member special offers. For our Little Valley Farm accommodation view here. We have two cabins and accommodate four adults.

You can book via ABB or Riparide and you can also book direct with us and save on platform fees. Save up to $100 when you book direct with us.

Check the ABB calendar for availability and then email Daniela. We currently have Winter 2022 dates available.

Frequently Asked Questions about Little Valley Farm here.

Be a LVF VIP member

Piaf says... sign up to our LVF mailing list for all VIP events and something special coming to LVF next season.

Be the first in the know, just like Piaf!

Subscribe here

All VIPs events will now be on our website and mailing list. We will only email you when we have something to say... otherwise, we are working outside with the alpacas - and that is soo much more fun than spamming people!

Baby Piaf at Little Valley Farm, Hunter Valley.

Little Valley Farm is based in Laguna in the Hunter Valley. We are not open to the public as we like to keep it exclusive for our farm stay guests.

We do, however, open for Australian Alpaca week and for special events including our monthly alpaca workshops for new alpaca owners.

For intimate eco-weddings, corporate events and girls weekend getaway please feel free to contact us with your enquiry.

2020 Spring/Summer Open Day

We sadly had to cancel our Australian Alpaca Association Open Day for May 2020 but hope to re-schedule for Spring/Summer 2020 sometime.

As numbers are always limited when visiting our farm please make sure you sign up so you don’t miss out on this unique alpaca farm experience with our amazing herd.

Our Little Valley Farm open days are a great way to find out more about alpaca’s for your farm, how to take care of them, handle them in a safe manner, what to feed, best shelters and pens required plus so much more. You also have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you want, get some hands-on experience and take some memorable photos and interact with our alpacas.

Sign up here for 2020 dates.

Hop on our alpaca list - https://www.littlevalleyfarm.com.au/about

Cycle around the valley

Looking for something different to do on your farm stay?

Why not hire a gravel bike from Hunter Valley Bicycle Company and enjoy your day biking around our beautiful valley.

Did you know that Laguna now plays hosts to the annual Gravel Grit Laguna every October, so it has to be something spectacular! In fact, Visit NSW lists this ride part of “NSW’s gravel riding mecca”.

Little Valley Farm has partnered with Cessnock Bicycle Company and Hunter Valley Bicycle Company and they will deliver their bikes to us. Ready for your arrival. So get booking in advance to secure your bikes and also book your unique glamping farm stay at Little Valley Farm. 

Our location in relation to Gravel Grit 2019. Image courtesy of bicyclenetwork.com.au.

Riding in the Olney Forrest. Image courtesy of bicycle network.com.au.