Hunter Valley Gardens
Hunter Valley Gardens
4.1
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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4.1
2,446 reviews
Excellent
1,190
Very good
738
Average
300
Poor
117
Terrible
101
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moretra 🌍
Barcelona, Spain5,516 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
Spectacular garden we visited, beautiful and well maintained, in short a work of art and good taste.
You breathe nature and peace..
The figures and floral arrangements of honor plate.
I recommend it.
Here's a picture from today.
You breathe nature and peace..
The figures and floral arrangements of honor plate.
I recommend it.
Here's a picture from today.
Automatically translated
Written 12 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johnny R
Sydney, Australia83 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
Gardens are beautiful and well maintained and laid out. We had no intention of visiting but had an hour to kill and went to see the Xmas lights. Maximum effort from the creators, some really amazing work. Made me wish my children were young again to share it all with them. Xmas is always seen better through the eyes of children and the kids in the park were loving it. It gets better and better as real darkness falls. Go as late as possible or just mooch longer. We ended up being there for 2-3 hours and thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Yes it’s a bit expensive but $10 an hour, you can’t get a pint these days for that. I walked off the two glasses of wine I would have consumed if I’d gone to the winery next door 🤭🎉
Written 4 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aviation Central
Sydney, Australia262 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Pretty good place with lots of photo spots! There were also food trucks (which made our lunch) and showground rides that required tickets. Luckily it was a sunny day, making it easy for us to get around. Definitely coming again (if I have the opportunity)
Written 8 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PoppyWB
Sydney, Australia81 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
We arrived at 3pm (garden closing time is 5pm) to be basically told (paraphrased) “you can go in if you want but everything’s shut”. The staff member on the front desk was very rude in tone to the family with young children in front of us.
We decided to enter anyway (no young children to entertain, we had come to see the gardens with my family members visiting from overseas), and the cost of almost $180 for 5 of us took me aback.
We’ve visited before at Christmas and dinosaurs and had fun those times but this time was just odd. Half the Christmas lights were already up, which is a weird decision on a holiday weekend before Halloween, so we had to look at plants around those. The route around the garden wasn’t clear at all. What plants were we looking at, and what were they called? Thankfully my mother is knowledgeable about plants or we would not have known.
I would come back for an event, but the gardens themselves weren’t enough of a draw for the high price.
And with no attractions open and Christmas decorations half up, a discount for post-3pm entry and for seniors should be offered.
Lastly, train your staff on customer service.
We decided to enter anyway (no young children to entertain, we had come to see the gardens with my family members visiting from overseas), and the cost of almost $180 for 5 of us took me aback.
We’ve visited before at Christmas and dinosaurs and had fun those times but this time was just odd. Half the Christmas lights were already up, which is a weird decision on a holiday weekend before Halloween, so we had to look at plants around those. The route around the garden wasn’t clear at all. What plants were we looking at, and what were they called? Thankfully my mother is knowledgeable about plants or we would not have known.
I would come back for an event, but the gardens themselves weren’t enough of a draw for the high price.
And with no attractions open and Christmas decorations half up, a discount for post-3pm entry and for seniors should be offered.
Lastly, train your staff on customer service.
Written 6 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mariatI3560VO
Little India, Singapore7 contributions
July 2024 • Couples
My husband and I went just for the gardens but at $40 per head (no seniors discount during school holidays apparently), it was was extremely disappointing and not worth the entry price. Being winter time the garden did not look at its best, but I was expecting something much better. I think out of season entry fee should be far less, in my opinion. I would not recommend this as a garden to visit, but if you are happy to part with $40 per adult then I think wait until spring when most plants should be in bloom, that way you may not be as disappointed.
Written 14 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, thank you for your review. We are sorry to hear you didn't enjoy your visit. Your feedback and suggestions are very valuable to us and we will pass this feedback onto the relevant team.
Written 25 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chantelle77
Newcastle, Australia4 contributions
July 2023 • Family
Paid $144 for 2 adults and 3 kids to attend the snow time event during the school holidays. We have been coming for 10yrs, and unfortunately this will be the last.
We got in early and booked tickets in advance as I assumed the numbers would be capped, but it was way too overcrowded for the number of activities provided. It was an hr line up for 1 toboggan ride, only 2 people were handing out ice skates which led to a 20min wait to be served leaving us with 5minutes left of our session time on the ice. The ice skating was ticketed but the number of tickets given out was again way too many and you could barely move on the ice. There needs to be more activities offered for the amount of people, more staff need to be employed, and money needs to be put into updating the attractions as they look exactly the same as 10yrs ago!! It was WAY too overpriced for what it is. Of course the kids had fun playing in the snow but in my opinion it just isn’t worth the money anymore!!
The attached photos show the crowds of people on the ice and in the marquee waiting to get onto the ice.
We got in early and booked tickets in advance as I assumed the numbers would be capped, but it was way too overcrowded for the number of activities provided. It was an hr line up for 1 toboggan ride, only 2 people were handing out ice skates which led to a 20min wait to be served leaving us with 5minutes left of our session time on the ice. The ice skating was ticketed but the number of tickets given out was again way too many and you could barely move on the ice. There needs to be more activities offered for the amount of people, more staff need to be employed, and money needs to be put into updating the attractions as they look exactly the same as 10yrs ago!! It was WAY too overpriced for what it is. Of course the kids had fun playing in the snow but in my opinion it just isn’t worth the money anymore!!
The attached photos show the crowds of people on the ice and in the marquee waiting to get onto the ice.
Written 8 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there, thank you for taking the time to post about your experience. During school holidays we experience a large number of visitors, but most days the lines for the activities are not crowded. Nevertheless, we thank you for your valuable feedback, and we are sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy your experience and that your visit wasn’t 100% satisfying. We will share your comments with the relevant team, and we hope you could give us another opportunity in the future.
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rachel W
Australia223 contributions
Nov 2021
We pre-purchased tickets mid week for the Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights display and were pleased with the smaller amount of people. We arrived at 5.30pm and proceeded to the food vendors located at the rear of the gardens. There were several options for dinner including wood fired pizza and several different varieties of loaded fries. There was also icecream, shaved ice and donuts for sale. It had stormed before we had arrived, so we were prepared for it to be wet underfoot and had umbrellas with us. A large marquee near the food area would have been great as the tables and chairs were wet. If you have purchased your tickets and it has rained prior to your visit, pack a pair of gumboots or a pair of thongs. I was pleased I wore thongs. Food or drink is not permitted to be brought in and I wish I'd used a back pack. Carrying bottles of water, umbrellas and phones was a bit of a juggle at times. All up it was a nice family time. Make sure you have your mask handy as some of the paths can become crowded at times.
Written 25 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, we are glad to hear you enjoyed your visit. Thank you for taking the time to post a review. Looking forward to seeing you again!
Written 11 January 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jared J
Sydney, Australia292 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
We went to see the lights last night and rides last night!!! . Though at the entry price of $110 for a family of four was a rather disappointing especially when you had to fork out another $30 for the rides on top of that!!!!?
The gardens itself was lovely and the fairy-tale lights were fun, but at the price not really worth it sorry.
You can go to the botanical gardens on Sydney harbour and it won’t cost you a cent and that’s throwing in the harbour bridge, the opera house and Sydney city and harbour views, and it won’t cost you a cent
Sadly Won’t be returning to these gardens
The gardens itself was lovely and the fairy-tale lights were fun, but at the price not really worth it sorry.
You can go to the botanical gardens on Sydney harbour and it won’t cost you a cent and that’s throwing in the harbour bridge, the opera house and Sydney city and harbour views, and it won’t cost you a cent
Sadly Won’t be returning to these gardens
Written 2 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, we are sorry to hear you find the Christmas Lights Spectacular expensive. Our team work very hard for multiple months, and we employ many additional locals to assist in the setup of this event. As such the price reflects the many people that it takes to create and manage activities of this nature. Your entry includes access to all the displays. Hopefully, you can visit us on another occasion.
Written 10 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ridgers1982
Jersey, UK48 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
We were very disappointed with our experience to the HVG light show. We had to queue for nearly 30 minutes to obtain ride tokens, then the queues for the rides were all really long. It spoiled the evening for the whole family. We were only there for 3-4 hours and spent much of the time queueing and didn't even make it on the Big Wheel.
Some of the lights were OK but were not as interesting or imaginative as some of the UK festive light shows (e.g. Longleat, Stourhead). We were unable to spend all our ride tokens. On exit we complained to two staff members, who were very unsympathetic. I emailed afterwards to complain. It took 3 emails to get a response and I was told the leftover ride tokens were non-refundable. In my view, this is an operation that cares much more about maximising footfall, than delivering an excellent customer experience. Do not attend - do something better with your time and money!
Some of the lights were OK but were not as interesting or imaginative as some of the UK festive light shows (e.g. Longleat, Stourhead). We were unable to spend all our ride tokens. On exit we complained to two staff members, who were very unsympathetic. I emailed afterwards to complain. It took 3 emails to get a response and I was told the leftover ride tokens were non-refundable. In my view, this is an operation that cares much more about maximising footfall, than delivering an excellent customer experience. Do not attend - do something better with your time and money!
Written 14 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janice E
5 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
The garden is split into themed gardens that are easy to find, all quite different and photo worthy. Even though we visited in September, the weather was really hot (34 degrees) and we noted that there were no water stations throughout the garden. I appreciate that revenue is made from selling water bottles at the cafe, but given the ongoing effects of climate change, water refresh stations throughout the garden are a must. A cafe onsite allows for purchased refreshments. Allow a few hours to wander as the cost is $36/adult for a visit.
Written 27 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, there. Thank you for your review. Visitors are allowed to bring new closed water bottles. Hopefully, we will see you again soon.
Written 10 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Donita H
Nanaimo, Canada
How can I find air bnb options near Hunter Valley Gardens and winery bus/van tours?
Written 3 January 2025
Thinking to visit the garden on 26 Jan and would like to see the Xmas light spectacular as well. thinking about the light ticket only and wondering if I would get full access of the garden from 5:30pm or just a certain part of the garden where the Xmas light display? Thank you.
Written 15 January 2019
Hi Camilla, the Christmas Lights are not throughout the entire gardens. While they do cover a large area and you can see much of the Gardens, there are also many areas not included that are beautiful during the day because they are more untouched. If you would like to experience it in full we recommend a day/night pass as they are two very different experiences.
Written 16 January 2019
Are snow gears required? Do they provide gears on hire for snow rides?
Written 16 July 2018
Not required . I have not seen such arrangement of offering snow gear there .
Written 17 July 2018
How long do you need to walk around like 3-4hours or all day?
Written 6 June 2018
We walked around in the morning because we had younger children. You could take a lot longer. There are a couple of theme park style rides on the side as well if it is open. That was closed when we were there. Also quite good food available and good coffee shop.
Written 6 June 2018
calluellamione
Sydney, Australia
Hi, i am planning to visit Hunter Valley Gardens at end of July or early August with my family. I am just wondering whether the flowers in this garden will have already bloomed in this period, because it is still winter? Or is it better to visit it at end of August. Kindly need your information. Thank you.
Written 4 February 2017
HunterValleyGardens
Pokolbin, Australia
Hi There,
Thanks for your questions and apologies for the delayed response!
Because of the diversity of the Gardens there are elements throughout our 10 display gardens that peak at different times of the year, so there will always be something to see and we have nearly 30 full time staff on our horticulture team working hard to maintain this. If you want to see the most blooms though, the best time to visit would be as close to spring as possible. Of course this is all weather dependent too.
Thank you!
Written 5 March 2017
Hi does anyone know if I can use a mobility scooter when visiting the Xmas lights ?
Written 5 December 2016
HunterValleyGardens
Pokolbin, Australia
Hi Sue, yes you are more than welcome to enter the Gardens with your mobility scooter. Thanks
Written 5 December 2016
Hi, can you tell us the adult ticket price into gardens.
Written 14 November 2016
btarry
Coffs Harbour, Australia
reasonable accommodation close to the gardens please
Written 6 November 2016
Hi, we stayed at Hermitage Lodge... and it was handy to everything, a couple of mins drive from the gardens & seemed reasonable to us price-wise for the Hunter.
Written 16 November 2016
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