Cessnock Hotels

Cessnock (population 18 000) is located adjacent to Australia's oldest wine growing region, the Lower Hunter valley vineyards (including Pokolbin). The town has a strong working-class feel, which contrasts markedly with the nearby tourist's playground that is the Lower Hunter wine country. There are a number of historically interesting buildings built between the turn of the century and the second world war that survive in the centre of Cessnock. A walking tour brochure is available from the internet cafe on the main street. Cessnock can also be used as a base from which the surrounding vineyards can be explored. For information on the vineyards, visit the Tourist Information Centre on Wine Country Drive, Pokolbin, and be sure to pick up a free copy of the official Hunter Valley guide which lists most of the vineyards, restaurants and other attractions and includes a detailed map of the area. Cessnock is in the heart of the Hunter Valley wine-producing region, so most visitors end up doing tours of the vineyards. Most vineyards allow tourists to casually turn up and start tasting, however an organised tour is recommended. These tours tend to be in small groups, and have the advantage of coming with a designated driver. The town of Cessnock is a good place to access basic services before heading into the vineyards. Banks, cheap lunches and internet access are all available on the main street, and two supermarkets stocking a wide variety of food and other necessities are also located in the centre of the town. A number of motels are also located along the main street of Cessnock which, while basic, are much more affordable than the accommodation available in Pokolbin and should be considered by anyone travelling on a budget. As well as visiting the vineyards, visitors to Cessnock can take a hot air balloon ride over the town and Pokolbin, skydive, play aqua golf, go clay pigeon shooting, watch glass blowing, dine in one of Pokolbin's award winning restaurants, take a horse and buggy ride, visit one of Pokolbin's boutique art galleries, visit a gourmet cheese factory or shop at one of Pokolbin's many boutiques.