Hunter Valley Heaven
By: Bec Mowbray, Yahoo!7 Travel

There were a lot of questions running through my mind the day I left the familiar buzz of the city for my first trip to the Hunter Valley. These questions mostly concerned how many different tops, skirts, dresses and pairs of shoes I could squeeze into my tiny red suitcase, but what I was questioning most of all was whether the Hunter Valley could keep me entertained and excited for a full weekend. After all, I am a 23 year old city girl who has never really been to the country before in my life. I lead a pretty busy life, get restless if I'm not occupied 100% of the time and have always imagined the country to be a little 'boring'.

Late to the Party
After a long and tiring battle with Sydney's peak hour traffic, I finally arrived at around 8pm . Not exactly how I had imagined beginning my weekend escape in the Hunter Valley, but after surviving the drive, I was just happy to still be in one piece. I was disappointed that I hadn't been able to immediately see the beauty of the Hunter, seeing as it was dark by 6pm and there were no giant neon-lit skyscrapers or mega-watt traffic lights to reveal (or ruin) the view.

Harrigan's Irish Pub and Accommodation
I eventually found my destination. I have been to a few Irish pubs in my time, but nothing even comes close to Harrigan's. An iconic creation of the Roche Group, Harrigan's faithfully recreates an understated, charming Irish atmosphere that feels warm and inviting (especially after a hellish drive).

I was greeted by the smiling receptionist and escorted to my room. The accommodation is motel-style, bordering the pub - close enough to easily stumble back to after a big night, but far enough away not to be disturbed by the pub-goers. The rooms themselves are cozy, warm and welcoming, keeping with the theme at Harrigan's.

Party by Night
Situated right in the heart of the Hunter Valley, we were told that Harrigan's Irish pub is the 'place to be and be seen' on a Friday or Saturday night. Judging by the turnout, they weren't wrong.

Boy, do country folk know how to party! I'm slightly ashamed to say that most of the younger crowd (myself included), left for bed at around 11pm. A good effort, sure, but when you consider the fact that the locals were still partying well on into the wee hours of the next morning, us city folk looked weak in comparison.

Paradise by Day
I felt the sunshine on me as I slowly woke the next morning. As the reality kicked in and I realised where I was, I leapt out of the cushiony, king-sized bed and ran to the giant window. I was amazed at what I saw. I think the fact that I had arrived after dark made this moment all the more breathtaking. Rolling vineyards as far as the eye could see, starting just metres from my little private patio. I walked out and stared for a few more minutes, taking in the panoramic view of luscious, green fields. The view was made even more delicious by the fact that the sun was rising just behind them, making it a scene you might see only on a postcard.

Shopping
In the Hunter, unless you are in the market for wine, cheese or sweets, there really isn't a lot on offer in the way of shopping. Although I think that's the point.

There are a few little gift stores in the Hunter Valley Gardens precinct, owned mainly by locals, which sell handmade knick-knacks and gifts. Not really my cup of tea, but it was fascinating to wander through them and get a real insight into the talent of the the talent of the locals.

Now, back to the wine and cheese and sweets!

Hungry in the Hunter
It's impossible to go hungry in the Hunter. Everywhere you turn there are people and stores offering you samples of ripe grapes, smelly cheeses or homemade fudge. If you do choose to have a sit-down meal, there are a myriad of casual cafes and restaurants to choose from (no pretentious waiters or menus items here), not to mention the feasts you'll encounter at some of the Vineyards and Hotels.

I'm not really a fan of Guinness, but you definitely need to stop by Harrigan's for one of their famous Beef and Guinness pies. With their light-as-air puff pastry and rich, tasty filling, it's definitely something I recommend trying, even if you're not big on the Irish lager.

I'm more of a sweet-tooth person, so when I heard the words 'Hunter Valley Chocolate Company', I knew that was where I needed to be, and fast. There is a small store within the Hunter Valley Gardens, but if you really want to experience a slice of country heaven you should make the drive out to Lovedale and visit the factory store.

The first thing I noticed was not the abundance of fudge, sauces, candies and other sweet and savoury treats lining the walls and filling the stands. It was the giant glass window that ran the length of one side of the store. Beyond that glass was the place where the magic happened. On display were trays of cooling fudge, enormous vats of rich chocolate and colourful candies waiting to set. It was all I could do not to start drooling right then and there.

Needless to say, I left the hunter with a very satisfied sweet-tooth.

The Hunter Valley Gardens
One of the main features that attracts tourists to the Hunter Valley (and yet another dazzling creation from the Roche Group) is the world-famous Hunter Valley Gardens. The Gardens are always alive and buzzing, hosting a wide variety of events throughout the year (I'm already planning to return again at least twice this year).

The Gardens are a visual masterpiece in the heart of the Hunter Vineyards. Spanning over 25 hectares, you'll be amazed by the sights, colours and fragrances of the 10 feature gardens. It's a perfect destination for a family day out, a getaway with friends or a romantic rendezvous.

My favourite was definitely the Storybook garden. It took me back to my childhood, and is such a stunning and magical place to sit and enjoy the free feeling of being a child again, surrounded by all of your favourite storybook characters, and the amazing smell that absorbs the gardens.

In anticipation of the Hunter Valley Gardens chocolate festival in August, Dean Gibson, award winning chocolate and pastry chef, treated the Garden goers to a special chocolate making demonstration (followed by extensive taste testing) which left me drooling and excited to return in August for more.

City vs Country
You will definitely want to make your trip to the Hunter at least 3 days, especially if you are keen to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. You'll need to give yourself a day to truly switch gears from city-mode to relaxed country-mode.

Perhaps the most noticeable difference was the attitude of everyone around me. The Hunter Valley seems to ooze serenity. Everywhere you turned there were smiling faces, laughter, and people holding hands, just sitting, wandering and generally soaking up the atmosphere without a care in the world.

I left for the Hunter Valley wondering whether or not it would keep me entertained and excited for a full weekend. It did, just not in the way that I'm used to. I shouldn't have expected the Hunter Valley to keep me occupied like the city does - nor would I have wanted it to in hindsight.

I'm grateful that a little of the country atmosphere crept in and took over my life for a few days. I came back home feeling relaxed, refreshed and clear headed, ready to face anything the city threw at me because I'd had the chance to escape, even for a little while. Now that I know that there is a life out there beyond the city limits, I can't wait to escape again.

To read more about the Hunter Valley Gardens, click here.