This weekend Mark and I realised that it was the first time we’ve been in The Hunter Valley during spring. It makes sense since it is sailing season. It’s a busy time of year for us and we usually only go away for state or national championships.

This year a wedding got us to the Hunter Valley, and we are very glad it did. Spring in the Hunter Valley is green and lush. Since we have well and truly done vineyard visiting and wine tasting in the past we decided to see what else the Hunter Valley has to offer.

On the way to Pokolbin I was driving when I spotted a quant shop in Cessknock. So I pulled over and went it. We got chatting to the owner who only opened their store front a few months ago. Wally & Eva stocks local hand made creations with a strong focus on sustainability. It was my happy place, do yourself a favour and get there! I may have purchased some Christmas gifts early and felt all the good feels.

Whilst I was in Wally & Eva having a chat I picked up the bookmark for Elevinses. I was told all about the shop and encouraged to visit. This is the true spirit of small businesses supporting one another.

The Deck Cafe Lovedale is in the heart of the Hunter Valley

Breakfast at The Deck Cafe Lovedale was a complete experience where I spoke to all the animals . Mark and I would come back here for the food, but would skip the coffee. Luckily we found a great place for coffee on our driving adventure.

Watch the video below if you want to see the pigs and ducks at The Deck Cafe.

Worn Out Wares, Singleton

Worn Out Wares in Singleton was another happy place. This is a shop I would want to own. It’s somewhere to gather and enjoy something to eat and drink whilst being surrounded by beautiful, interesting things. This magical place is connected with WOW Flowers. You can guess where I sat and enjoyed a wonderful long black.

Cafe Enzo, Pokolbin, Wedding Central of the Hunter Valley

If you want to get to Cafe Enzo for lunch you should probably make a booking. We were super lucky to get a walk in table for a light lunch. It was the perfect spot for a before wedding snack since we were in Pokolbin wedding central. I thoroughly enjoyed the duck liver pate which was served with the right amount of bread.

Restaurant Arthur’s for the Hunter Valley’s Best Breakfast

I’m not sure how my husband found Arthur’s but I’m sure glad he did. When you pick up the menu and the first coffee on the menu is ‘black’ it makes me excited. Arthur’s coffee is so delicious that I broke my one coffee a day rule and had two at breakfast. I highly recommend getting a take away coffee from Arthur’s for the drive home. Just remember to take your keep coffee cup.

Arthur’s was well and truly a win. My Nazi Goreng had the most addictive sambal and the prawn chips added a great new texture. It inspired me to add fresh tomatoes and cucumbers to my breakfast at home. Mark got the eggs benny and said it was the best eggs benny he had ever had. That’s a big call from the biggest food critic I know. The fried sweet potato in it was a great standout, trust my, I stole some.

Next time you’re in the Hunter Valley do yourself a favour and spend a day exploring more than the vineyards. The towns have so much to offer and the pace is a perfect reset from Sydney’s speedy vibe.

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