A temporary road closure will be necessary to undertake works in sections of Oakey Creek Road. WebWhere to eat in the Hunter Valley, Australia. They are the perfect way to get comfortable with your photographer, and for them to work out how to bring the best out of you. Aside from the village which is a destination in its own right, youll find several excellent wineries which still have a relaxed feel. The Kindness of Strangers: 10 travel moments that restored my faith in humanity, What it's like to give it all up to travel in your 30's. So secluded and peaceful. Going back in time, if my wedding venue was not available, this would be where I choose to get married. From prancing peacocks to alfresco wine-tasting in the winter sun.krinklewood.com. The gardens have been designed with families in mind, with lots of things to keep the kids entertained including rides and many exhibits scattered amongst the foliage. Enjoy a picnic among the vines and relax as the sun sets over the beautiful mountain range. Wed recommend grabbing yourself a glass and sitting and watching the sun set over the vines. The park is also home to a garden of teddy bear cholla cactuses, which are pictured below. But if you are willing to get up early (cmon dont be lazy, I already told you), this can easily be one of the best locations for an engagement photoshoot, anywhere on the East Coast. And with some really cool fields around, there are so many spots for a gorgeous photoshoot. Gundog - Youre not coming for the views, but you are coming for the great service and fab wines. Tastings are $5 pp which is refunded on the purchase of any bottle (something which often isnt the case with the wineries). Lets plan your engagement shoot in Newcastle! The Sydney Weekend Getaway Bucket List: 19 Incredible Trips, The Ghan vs Indian Pacific: how to choose your bucket list train journey, What it's like onboard the Indian Pacific - one of the world's great train journeys, Day Trips from Sydney - 15 incredible itineraries, 10 reasons the Indian Pacific train journey should be on your bucket list. 4. It is steep and rocky and can be very slippery, so be careful. Thankfully getting wet and dirty is half the funso enjoy it! Photo Porn (not real porn you pervert)! Myrtle House in the centre of town also serves up a good coffee, which isnt too easy to find in the Hunter Valley! If you go there a bit early you can take 5-10 minutes to scope the area out and find them yourself (or just hire a photographer who knows the location). I personally meet my couple at (or near the location), we hang out for a little bit, just getting comfortable and then make our way to the spot. In order to get here, same directions as Snapper Point, but half way you will see a fork in the road, turn right towards Wybung and follow this dirt road until you get to the very end. Our favourite is Margan Wines in Broke, which bases all its food on what it can produce in its garden and orchards. The popular photography locations around Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells offer many excellent opportunities but comprise only a small sliver of Death Valley National Park. The landscape is just so simple, and so soft. Take the scenic route via waterfalls and lookouts 15. Well that depends on what time of year, but ideally, being raised on a cliff, you will get about 15 additional minutes of sun. Break free on Tourist Drive 33 and escape to the country, explore one of many trails which offer unique wine experiences, arts, and history. Be careful here. From Sutherland, turn off towards the National Park. Wollombi Valley has an impressive mix of attractions from rocky national parks, picturesque villages, and boutique wines to a lively arts scene and ancient Aboriginal sites. Hunter Valley - Accommodation, restaurants & wineries | Visit NSW You get given a long list of gins, vodkas and schnapps and you can pick any six to try. Weve visited many times and have found something new and incredible each time. Id highly recommend giving it a go if youve never tried it before. To be honest I got up just to watch the balloons and even that was special, so I can imagine being up there would be just amazing. Points of Interest & Landmarks Monuments & Statues. We loved everything we tasted and liked that they had lots of native botanicals in the offerings. An iconic Newcastle location featured in so many tourist photos over the years! Initially, it is very flat and quite dark as the sun hides behind the clouds and giant rock formations. Brekkie is included and theres also wifi if you need to stay connected. Ngurra Bu. As an aside - were not mentioning Whispering Brook here as we talked a lot about them earlier, but they are a firm fave. Until fairly recently tastings were generally free and informal. The Oasis (Inn at Furnace Creek) Seeing the photos of the Oasis of Death Valley, it is pretty clear why this is such a popular spot for photography in the national park. Finchleys lookout offers amazing 360 views of the remote wilderness area and an insight into the Aboriginal cultural heritage of Yengo National Park. With stunning beaches stretching as far as the eye can see, and a plethora (calendar of the day..I wont use it again I promise) of cool little caves scattered along the beach to explore and shoot in, this place has it all. When the sun is yet to fall behind the mountains, this is perfect for that perfect backlit shot. Hunter Valley Ballooning have been offering superior flights daily over the scenic Hunter Valley region for the past 30 years. Indulge in gourmet delights at Margan 13. Everything that you would need to capture a picture-perfect scene! Its a great backdrop for your engagement photography by taking advantage of the splash of colour and leading lines of the location. Are you sensing a trend here? An option you might not have considered. Its a small boutique winery with outstanding, friendly service that makes you feel right at home. A comprehensive guide to the best restaurants and cafes in the region. Once you get down there, on your right you open up this unreal world of rock formations, with huge swells smashing into them. Its the ultimate foodies experience and will leave your followers green with envy! This is one of those locations that really is better suited to wide open, expansive, panoramic shots. These scenes can have your followers thinking you are in a completely different part of the world! The Hunter Valley is the perfect place to indulge a little and it has some truly amazing restaurants. These are just a few of our favourites but we are always open to exploring! Now, it is just a beach, but it does have a few little extras included. Nothing quite as beautiful as the sunset, peaking through the trees of a Pine Forest, spilling rays of light across the forest floor is there? Having TWO photographers at your wedding! What better place to do a photoshoot with your fiance, right? By getting there a little early, you get to enjoy 2 different styles of lighting (I know, boring photographer stuff, but hear me out). Wine tasting is of course the number one thing to do when it comes to the Hunter Valley. I dare you. Congratulations Tess & Jarrod! The undisputed best place to splurge for a special celebration and don't skip dessert. Out of nowhere, it will completely open up and you will be staring along the cliff lines. We tried 10 wines (the official tasting is usually a couple less, but if they have extra bottles open theyll bring them out too) and the whole experience is fantastic. Best time of day to shoot here? As the name suggests, the Hunter Valley is a region made up of several towns and villages. If coming by public transport you can take the train to Singleton, which takes just over three hours direct - but make sure you get on the fastest service or it can take a lot longer. It's #1 of 89 things to do in Pokolbin on TripAdvisor thanks to the gorgeous views from the back verandah, delish wines, gourmet cheese platters and the gaggle of geese who meet and greet all visitors. Today the vast majority will charge a fee and you will try a set amount of wines, starting with sparkling, moving on to white, rose, red and finishing with a dessert wine. You will know you are in the right place if you se a sign stating the number of deaths at this location in the past 12 months. Enter the Munmorah State Park from any of the 2 entrances, and head towards Frasers Beach. It was a place that truly felt like an escape and we left with a big smile on our faces. By using the website, you accept full personal responsibility for any harm or damage you suffer as a result of your actions arising out of or in connection with the use of the website or its content. Love to share your Hunter Valley experiences? This one is by far the most difficult to reach, but remember rule number 1, it is going to be worth it! Well that depends on what time of year, but ideally, being raised on a cliff, you will get about 15 additional minutes of sun. It is a beautiful nature-based experience for local, national, and international visitors. Waves crashing into the rocks below you and birds flying overhead. Its a little steep getting up the dunes, but hey, thats part of the fun. Walk My World provides highly detailed guides for those who love to explore independently and seek out hidden gems. It's as pretty as a picture, so no surprise everyone loves taking snaps and sharing. Your guests will love this spot. It goes without saying but please dont step off the platform, it gets you close enough for an excellent look, and dont tamper with the paintings in any way. You dont want to make any mistakes (dont stress, you will make some, we all do). On either side of you, pristine ocean and cliffs. So youve started down the road to planning a wedding? Sunset, overcast, windy and rainy? You are going to want to whip your camera out for this one! Once the sun peaks over the rocks however, you will be blasted by this golden orange hue that floods the area. Well, I know it sounds weird, but Carrington Industrial area might be the spot for you. Catch a sunrise from a hot air balloon 6. Get those awkward moments out of the way before the wedding or elopement, so that way you arent nervous on your big day! WebThanks to the size of the parklands, there are so many great spots for wedding 40. Dont be put offyou are about to find the end of the rainbow. It takes roughly 10 minutes longer to reach Broke, whilst Wollombi is just two hours away. Think about what you two love, and lets discuss locations that could suit. Top 24 Engagement Photoshoot Locations Hunter Valley 13. Well first and foremost, choose a photographer. Balloon Aloft has been ballooning since 1980, offering sunrise ballooning adventures daily and creating the best experiences. Visit the Hunter Valley Gardens 8. Huge open roads with no cars on them to play on, really epic factories in the background, chain link metal fences, this might just have your name written all over it. But if you get it all on your own, it is amazing. There is a range of factors to consider when doing this. When is the best time to visit Sydney & New South Wales? Now you simply have to pick which location works best for you. Every course was amazing and as we were visiting in winter we got to enjoy the real fire. There is something a little magic about this location, that offers the space to run and play! Not only are the spirits excellent - we cant go past the coffee vodka - but the service is amazing. There are a few iffy narrow bends that have no rail so take it very cautiously. Combining stunning European vibes with their property, and the amazing, lush bushland and forest surrounding, you can;t go wrong. The balloon rides over at the Hunter have seen more than their fair share of proposals so its definitely a great choice for a special occasion. On top of this, there are so many beautiful spots to shoot down here. Here is where you get to enjoy the more vast scenery by getting more wide open shots! Its a bit further away so its best to do this as a separate day trip unless you have heaps of spare time. Located just on the beach around Merewether/Bar Beach, this absolute banger of a spot is so very popular for engagement photoshoots in Newcastle, as well as wedding photography. How to get here? Hunter Valley Zoo are a hands-on zoo, that allows you to get your wild ones closer to nature to connect and strive to love wildlife and commit to saving species in the wild. Very similar actually to Snapper Pointsince it is actually just down the road! of amazing shots, in every direction, at every time of day! You know where all the top spots are for your engagement photoshoot. Be spoilt for choice with a unique collection of boutique shops and a variety of delicious dining options for you to enjoy. This cellar door takes home the prize for design derring-do, riveting wines, crazy tasty food and toe-tapping live music on the terrace every Saturday. 1. However, midweek, sunrise, or off season you can get sections of Newcastle Baths all to yourself. This location gives you the best of both worlds. Unpack the picnic basket and throw down the picnic rug, pour yourself a glass of Hunter Valley wine paired with some fresh produce from the days spoils and take in the spectacular views a sunset shot is a must. Not only will you get an epic feed and coffee before (or after is youre a sunrise chaser) your engagement photoshoot, but you have so many cool spots. In fact, it is my most photographed location, as chosen by my couples. On your way back (it will be pitch black by now, so take it easy on the trail) I highly suggest heading in to Katoomba and grabbing a well earned dinner with your partner. Of course not, Duh! There are so many hidden gems all over Catherine Hill Bay (and the local pub does a mean pizza!). Mr O Kitchen Espresso & Grocer. While it a short uphill walk, its well worth the view of rolling dunes that stretch on for miles! This truly is one of my favourite engagement photoshoot locations for a summery sunset shoot. I recommend at least 30 minutes before the sun rises, so that you have a chance to wake up, get into it, and be ready for those stunning shots. A detour via Marrowbone Road will be necessary around the construction zone between October 2022 until February 2023. In stark contrast, on your left you have wispy long grass fields which make you feel like you are in Country America. Feel free to include any other members of the family, try out multiple locations, bring along your furry friend, or anything you like! With the best of both worlds in that it has still water, as well as rolling waves around the corner, there is an endless number of photo opportunities here. You hear the words farm to table and nose to tail said a lot nowadays, but Margan really embodies that philosophy and has done for the last 13 years. You can choose premium wines at a higher cost. In Lovedale they are almost always in the fields opposite the Crowne Plaza Hotel; in Pokolbin look at the fields along McDonalds Road and if you plan on visiting Wollombi we see them every time along the Yango Creek Road. Well, why not bring out your inner child on this one and head off to North Sydney? Some are incredibly quirky and some are literally like a time warp - youll see what we mean in the General Store! Sign up to our mailing list to get our free mini guide! This contrasts so beautifully with the blue of the water below you. The contrast can look cool though, so it really is a subjective call. Weve been to more than 20 wineries so far and these are our top picks for you by area: We used to recommend heading to Brokenwood but on our most recent visit tastings had gone from $5 pp to $25pp and we wouldnt pay that so cant really recommend it (we assume the price hike was needed to pay for the fancy new buildings). Check out the reviews and prices on: Hunter Valley Travellers Rest Motel - Budget. I have been on a hot air balloon ride before, in Egypt, and it was such a wonderful experience, its really peaceful up there and the golden light is gorgeous for photographs. Another absolutely gorgeous lookout. Make sure to leave a comment below and let me know what you think. You can learn more about it here. Did you know Short answer, no. Theres a lovely atmosphere with so many families out enjoying the the many different displays together. However, theres much more to do in the area beyond the famous wineries of Pokolbin, from ancient rock art to cheese tasting and even a historic village which feels like stepping back in time. And the Scarborough Instaframe is the top spot to pose for a pic. With so many choices, including the various lookouts, pine forests, trickling streams and possibly even some snow! The onsite restaurant gets rave reviews. Photographer jargon aside, it is a stunning engagement photoshoot location. If you do venture out, it does make for some really spectacular panoramic shots out to sea. As soon as you get engaged think about organising an engagement shoot, the honeymoon phase of engagement is the best! Its like stepping into a dream. WebK3 Photography. Places to Take Photos in Palm Springs My recommendation here is, wear active wear to get down, and then once down there (it is usually completely empty of all human life), you can get changed into your actual clothes (this way they arent dirty) behind a rock or tree (unless youre into full frontal nudity, in which case, I wont judge Ive seen it all before). And yes, we do head in, play games, go on rides, and just generally have an epic time. We took a tour at one of our favourite wineries in the Hunter, Whispering Brook, which is a 20 minute drive from Pokolbin. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive all of the above and more, Book your experience with a trusted local today, Copyright 2023 Hunter Valley and Tourism Association Powered by Bookeasy, Developed by Impartmedia. Located just a few hours from Sydney and Newcastle, any car can reach this destination and parking is available at the lookout. Let us know in the comments below! The hike (and in parts climb) down is epic. With possibly one of the most insane lookouts in the entire Blue Mountains, and without having to actually hike anywhere to find it, this spot is a favourite. From here, move along the cliffs, down to the rock platforms. If youre feeling up to it, give it a crack, I love a challenge! Show off your photography skills and take advantage of our regions natural beauty. They offer romantic flights for two, private charters for small groups, or larger group rides on a sunrise ballooning adventure and breakfast. The picturesque heritage town of Wollombi is the other place we recommend visiting in the Hunter Valley, and its just 35 minutes from Pokolbin. From Singleton its probably easiest to then catch a taxi onwards to Pokolbin. All Rights Reserved. With the best photo spots ranging from beautifully empty desert to See some of the best ancient rock art in NSW 4. A short hike through the bush up the the point is well worth the effort. Newcastle Baths. The 360 view flourishes a picturesque line of vineyards and glassy waters that showcase what the Hunter Valley has to offer. There are numerous reasons for this. I am sure by now youve realised, it isnt as easy as you thought? Dense forest and bushland surrounds, with a gorgeous little mountain behind the venue where you can take some stunning wedding photos on later. Dont get me wrong, the close ups are soft, moody, and really bring on the feels (I always cry, I am such a bitch lol), but with the sun billowing through the tall pines like that, how could you not want to capture it all? I mean, honestly, the Blue Mountains brings it every single time. As your photographer, I can certainly help with some fashion advice though. No points for guessing then, why this is one of my prime choices as an engagement photoshoot location in the Central Coast. Weve explored most of them and listed the best below: Simplistic and stunning- one of my all-time favorite locations! The trick with Bombo is to get there about 30 minutes before the sunrise, this way you allow yourself time to walk all the way down to the Quarry. WebLocated in in the heart of wine country, two hours north of Sydney, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley occupies an ideal location in one of Australia's most celebrated wine regions. Its ridiculous how many resorts and hotels were being built on top of giant mountains back then. Wedding Photography Locations - Gold Hat Photography The walk to the middle falls, which would be worth seeing alone is just five minutes, but we recommend carrying on another five to see the lower falls as well, which are even more beautiful. Once you get to the carpark you will be faced with a beautiful, calm, quiet beach (even in Summer it is quiet) tucked in amongst large cliffs. It offers cliff-side views coupled with beautiful sand and clear water. As well as Baiame you can see some clear hand stencils, boomerangs and one other picture we couldnt identify. Loads of little spots to explore in this little stretch of road, offering such dynamic variety to your engagement photoshoot. Youll conclude with a tasting in the garden overlooking the olive trees and vines in the distance. To learn more about the menu, where to stay, and what more there is to see, visit their website.