Hafen
Newcastle

Join your guide on a 3-hour walking tour of the historic area of Newcastle, visiting four of its historic pubs, bars and hidden gems. Your half-day excursion is packed with great stories of Newcastle's past from its convict settlers to miners and all the miscreants and the occasional drunken 'knights' in between. Newcastle's history is best told over a drink, or two.

Newcastle, or 'Newie' as the locals call it, loves a drink. When learning about all the great and terrible things that have happened here, you'd need a drink too. From its convict roots as a place of 'Secondary Punishment', its time as the nation's 'Coalopolis', to the '89 Earthquake through to its recovery today, this tour gets under the skin of the city to unearth its true character. The best place to find that character? A pub.

Visit four local venues during this historic pub tour and learn all about the local beers & breweries, the 6 o'clock swill, the first lock out laws, tales about Molly Morgan and a few other Hunter bar maids. You will also get an insight in Newcastle's founding and the convict history before it is time to rejoin the shuttle and return to the pier.

Hunter Valley has been home to some of Australia's best vineyards since the early 1800s, making it Australia's oldest wine region. Today it is a flourishing wine country with world-famous wineries, acclaimed restaurants and delicious local produce.

Helicopter Flight, Hunter Valley, Three-Course Lunch & Wine Tasting at a Local Winery

Board your helicopter in the heart of Newcastle and fly out along the foreshore as your pilot points out some of the local landmarks like the beaches, the ANZAC memorial walk, Merewether Baths and Glenrock, before turning out towards the Hunter Valley Wine Region. Enjoy the view as the vineyards start to roll out before you, leading towards the majestic Brokenback Ridge. Landing at one of the Hunter Valley's most prestigious restaurants will be the highlight of the day. Overlooking one of Australia's most romantic backdrops, you're treated to a three-course a-la-carte lunch with local wine.

After delicious lunch and wine, re-board your helicopter for a flight back to Newcastle and another glimpse of the local landscape.

Savor the rich winegrowing history of one of Australia's major wine-producing regions, the Hunter Valley.

Hunter Valley

The region has been home to some of Australia's best vineyards since the early 1800s, making it Australia's oldest wine region. Over 100 wineries are spread across sweeping vine-lined hills where generations of family winemakers are still onsite and inviting you to try their white and red varieties while telling their tales.

Brokenwood Wines

Depart the pier for approximately 75-minute scenic drive to your first destination, Brokenwood Wines. Established in 1970, they are one of Australia's most reputable premium wine labels and a must-visit in the Hunter Valley. Here, enjoy an exclusive behind the scenes tour with a personal host. Your journey will begin with an intimate tasting where your host will guide you through six premium Brokenwood wines paired with special canapés. The Brokenwood chef will take you through each unique food match as you enjoy the flavors of the wine and canapés. Continue the experience with a tour of the winery and learn all aspects of winemaking and delve deep into the history of the winery. Conclude in the barrel hall with the opportunity to taste a pre-release Brokenwood wine straight from the barrel.

Mangan Wines

Next, continue to Margan Wines - a family owned and award-winning winery established in 1996 and owned and operated by Lisa and Andrew Margan. Enjoy a taste sensation 'Wine Flight' of six wines from their premium wines. All wines of Margan are single vineyard wines, produced from grapes grown in their Hunter Valley vineyards.

At the conclusion of your visit, it is time to re-board the coach for the scenic drive back to Newcastle.

Discover the charm of the historic town of Morpeth and visit Maitland Gaol, one of New South Wales premier heritage listed sites during this half-day excursion.

Newcastle

Depart on an orientation drive of the city of Newcastle passing by some of the highlights such as the Christchurch Cathedral and Customs House en-route to Fort Scratchley for an external visit of a former coastal defense installation. It was built in 1882 to defend the city against a possible Russian attack however; its guns were not fired in anger until 8 June 1942 during the shelling of Newcastle. The Australian Army left the site in 1972.

Maitland Gaol

Next drive to and visit Maitland Gaol which has a vibrant history spanning more than 150 years. After housing some of Australia's most hardened and notorious criminals, Maitland Gaol closed as a Correctional Institution in 1998. Take a guided tour of the gaol and unlock the history concealed within its towering sandstone walls, from intriguing tales of criminals and their crimes, to the stories of discipline and hardship that characterized life behind bars. The tour will take you back to when the Goal's gates were first locked shut in 1848 and journey through to its closure in 1998. Wandering through the 19^th century chapel and then to the modern maximum security wing you will get a real sense of life on the inside, exploring how the experiences of prisoners dramatically changed during a century and a half

of operation.

Morpeth

Depart the Gaol for the town of Morpeth - also known by its Aboriginal name 'Illalung', Morpeth formed one third of a land grant made to Lieutenant Edward Charles Close. Influenced by its desirable location on the Hunter River and the realization of the area's immense potential, Morpeth evolved into a frontier town and busy river port. Walking down the historic, sandstone-lined streets of Morpeth you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the uniqueness of the town. You will have free time here in Morpeth to explore the eclectic stores found here at leisure.

The tour concludes with a return drive back to the pier.

Roam the streets of Newcastle whilst learning about the history of this harbor city. Revel in the stories about the convict era and the role of convict labor in this area on this sightseeing walking excursion.

Transfer to Newcastle City Center, Guided Walking Tour

Meet your guide at the pier and transfer to the city center with a Shuttle Bus. Upon arrival, commence your discovery walk and uncover Newcastle's major sights. View the Customs House Hotel, a heritage building designed in the Italianate Renaissance Revival style. What once housed the Australian Customs offices is now a bustling venue in which to relax and enjoy a meal or a drink, and watch the world go by. Newcastle, nicknamed "Newy" by locals, is bound by a working harbor and glorious beaches. Take in the city's architecture, which has been gradually changing during the past few decades and shedding its predominantly industrial past. Take a stroll along Watt Street, Newcastle's oldest. Stop to view Enterprise Park and continue to the historic Convict Lumber Yard. Your guide will regale you with fascinating stories about the convict labor history in this area during your visit to the yard - one of Newcastle's oldest settlements.

At the end of your discovery walk, you may opt to return to the pier or remain in the city for independent exploration and return to the ship on your own with ship's shuttle bus.

This action-packed adventure will take you to the Stockton Sand Dunes where you will have exclusive access to these privately-owned dunes. Ride your own all-terrain vehicle quad bike through the largest sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere and enjoy un-interrupted views of the beach, dunes and coastline.

Stockton Sand Dunes, Quad Bike Adventure, Aboriginal Guide, Spectacular Views

Depart dockside and transfer by mini bus to receive a safety briefing before getting on your all-terrain quad bike for an exhilarating ride led by your guide. Relish the exclusive access to the largest privately owned sand dunes within the Stockton Bight. This ATV tour is hands on and interactive experience offering an insight into the Aboriginal culture while providing the exhilaration of riding a Quad Bike guided by an Aboriginal guide. Stopping atop the high dunes, you are provided with a 360' view of the lands and a verbal presentation of the traditional occupation and uses of the land. Fresh water lagoons and midden sites (tool and burial sites) can be spied from this vantage point.

Your tour concludes at the pier.

The Hunter Valley has been home to some of Australia's best vineyards since the early 1800s, making it Australia's oldest wine region. Enjoy a full day comprehensive wine tour at a one of the premium resorts in the beautiful Hunter Valley Region.

Hunter Valley Resort, Morning Tea, Guided Tour, Wine Theatre & Tutorial

Depart the pier for a scenic drive from Newcastle through a flourishing wine country you will arrive at the Hunter Valley Resort. Upon arrival, enjoy morning tea on the lawns of the resort or at the terrace while receiving a welcome and briefing on today's activities. After morning tea, depart of a walking tour of the resort. During this stroll through the vineyard learn about the history of winemaking in Australia and around the world, of different grape varietals and soil conditions and see how and why a grapevine grows. Next, continue to the Wine Theatre to learn about Hunter's Wine Heritage, how grapes are maintained, how the wine crusher works and the actual winemaking process followed by a wine tutorial with the Cellar master.

Grape Stomping

With everyone's knowledge of wines growing by the minute, there is but one final experience required to totally cap-off the winemaking experience. Squelch! This is about the best word to express the feeling of grapes between bare toes as you jump into the oak barrel to experience the age-old tradition of pressing by foot!

Wine Marriage" Lunch, Tasting & Blending Exercises

Enjoy a "Wine Marriage" lunch including wine tutorial, tasting and blending exercises. Enjoy a tasting plate lunch which includes four individual dishes, each "married" to a premium Hunter Valley wine which has been especially selected to complement the dishes. During the lunch the Cellar master will conduct a tutorial which follows on from the day's activities.

At the completion of the day it is time to board the coach for the scenic drive back to Newcastle.