A wanderer’s guide to great food, alpacas, artist theatres, and a very stylish summerhouse

The tiny hamlet of Laguna

Slow Roads, Big Charm

If you’ve ever found yourself sighing at the sameness of highway travel, here’s some good news: Tourist Drive 33 is the scenic detour that makes the journey every bit as rewarding as the destination. And in this case, the destination’s pretty spectacular too.

Laguna Village is a small but striking pocket of the Lower Hunter Valley, full of charm, character, and more than a few surprises. Only 90 minutes from Sydney and one hour from the Central Coast, but it feels a million miles away.

Good Food, Coffee and Real Estate Daydreams

Your first stop? The Trading Post Laguna. Part café, part general store, part community lifeline. It’s where locals catch up, travellers refuel, and visitors often stay longer than planned.

The coffee hits the mark, the food is generous and satisfying, and whether you’re after a bacon-and-egg breakfast, a long lunch or something to take home for dinner, this is the place. There’s shady seating under the verandah and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere that makes it hard to leave.

Next door, Musgrove Realty quietly tempts you with leafy acreages, bushland retreats, and classic timber cottages. You’ll find yourself scanning the window listings and picturing your own front verandah in the valley. Be warned: Laguna tends to linger in the mind.

A few steps away, the Laguna Village Providore is a treasure trove of fresh produce, artisan goods, and locally made pantry fillers. Expect to walk out with armfuls of food and plans for a picnic, grazing the day away.

A Hidden Summerhouse by the Pond

Just beyond the village, tucked into its own little valley, sits a surprise you won’t spot from the road.

The Little Valley summerhouse is an off-grid, architect-designed retreat handcrafted by its owners with a deep care for the land. Clean lines, timber decks, and floor-to-ceiling windows give way to sweeping bushland views. The soundtrack? Frogs by the pond, alpacas in the paddock, and birds calling from the trees.

This is more than a place to stay. It’s a place to properly exhale.

It’s also the home of Little Valley Farm, one of Wollombi Valley’s best-known alpaca breeders. If you’ve never met an alpaca up close, here’s your chance. They’re curious, expressive, and surprisingly photogenic. (Ask about Pansey the alpaca, now she has stories.)

When the owners aren’t welcoming farm-stay guests, they’re running hands-on alpaca workshops for new owners looking to learn more about sustainable life with alpacas.

Where Pigs Fly

Laguna is also home to Where Pigs Fly, a sanctuary with a big heart. Animals rescued from neglect and abandonment find safety and care here. Visits are by booking only, usually on scheduled open days and they’re worth it. Kids love it. Adults do too. It’s not just a place to meet animals, it’s a reminder of compassion and second chances.

Gourmet Roots

Not far from the village is ValleyFields, a private farm project from renowned Paddington chef Armando Percuoco. While it’s not open to the public, its influence extends from kitchen gardens to olive groves, fostering a renewed appreciation for seasonal ingredients that farm stay guests get to experience. It’s a quiet, powerful reminder that good food begins long before it hits the plate.

Art, Theatre and a Fierce Community Spirit

For a village of its size, Laguna holds its own on the creative front. Valley Artists Inc., a long-standing local theatre group, has been staging productions in the transformed Laguna Community Hall for over 20 years. Think dramas, comedies, and stories that reflect the strength and humour of the people who live here.

And at the heart of it all? Laguna Public School and the Laguna Rural Fire Brigade. Whether they’re organising plays, fundraising dinners, or stepping up when fire threatens the valley, this is a community that looks out for its own. It’s genuine, grounded, and quietly inspiring.

Gravel, Grit and Two Wheels

Laguna has quietly become a haven for gravel riding. If you’re into bikes and backroads, you’ll want to bring your wheels.

There’s something for every level. Cruise the flat, tree-lined stretch of Watagan Creek Road, meander along Murrays Run dirt track, or if you’re feeling brave, then tackle the steep climb of Finchley Track, a favourite for more experienced riders looking for a challenge and a serious view at the top. It’s all unsealed, uncrowded, and wrapped in gumtrees. The kind of riding that feels like an adventure, not a workout.

Wildlife on the Way

The magic of Tourist Drive 33 is also in what happens between stops. If you’re paying attention, the journey itself becomes the attraction.

Wombats waddle across paddocks at dusk. Wallaroos graze in the distance. Lyrebirds dart into the undergrowth. Early mornings bring water ducks to the roadside and a chorus of birdsong that no freeway can compete with.

This road invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and take in the small, beautiful details.

Make the Turn

So, next time your GPS suggests the fastest way to the Hunter Valley, consider a more interesting route. Tourist Drive 33 doesn’t just lead to Laguna, it leads to farm stalls, artist sheds, sweeping bushland, and slow mornings that turn into long, daydreaming afternoons.

No need for a tight itinerary. Just a full tank, a curious heart, and maybe a cooler bag for everything you’ll want to bring home.