Canberra - Cessnock = 521.7 km
Keens Travel offer a bus service between Sydney and Cessnock, which departs from Central Station at Sydney and has a number of drop-off points through Cessnock and neighbouring Nulkaba. However, it is advisable to book a seat as the bus is often crowded. The bus is also quite expensive at approximately $30 for a one-way ticket between Sydney and Cessnock.
Travellers may also reach Cessnock via Newcastle by train to Maitland (followed by a bus from Maitland to Cessnock) or by bus. Rover Motors buses travel between Newcastle (departing outside Newcastle train station with a pick-up at the Hunter Street Mall bus station) and Cessnock (terminating at the Cessnock bus depot) between Monday and Friday. It is not necessary to book a seat on this bus.
Rover Motors also runs bus services within Cessnock and between Cessnock and Kurri Kurri. A number of taxis also service Cessnock. Travellers wishing to explore Pokolbin and the neighbouring vineyards should consider hiring a car or should contact the Tourist Information Centre on Wine Country Drive for information on vineyard bus tours. Please be aware that Australia has strict drink driving laws that are policed throughout Cessnock and the Hunter Valley, so unless you have a designated driver who has agreed to stay sober, you should join an organised bus tour.
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.
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.
However, the best food in the Hunter Valley can be found in Pokolbin's restaurants, most of which are a short drive or taxi ride from Cessnock. Be aware that many restaurants pay to be listed in tourist guidebooks and are exhorbitantly priced. Robert's is marketed to tourists as one of the oldest and best restaurants in the area. Leaves and Fishes at Lovedale is a fifteen minute drive from Cessnock and serves excellent, reasonably priced food.
Cafe Crocodile at De Iulius Wines is also worth a visit, particularly for lunch. The desserts in particular are noteworthy.
There are a number of inexpensive motels on Wollombi Road, Vincent Street and Wine Country Drive. In general, these are basic but affordable and should be considered by any traveller visiting the area on a budget, as the accommodation available in Pokolbin and the vineyards can be extremely expensive. Unless there is a festival or concert in Pokolbin, it is not generally necessary to book at one of these motels in advance.
There are also a number of bed and breakfasts in the area, particularly in Nulkaba, which is a 5 minute drive from Cessnock or a thirty minute walk along Wine Country Drive. Nulkaba House in particular is beautiful.
A new backpacker's hostel has also opened in neighbouring Nulkaba, on Wine Country Drive. You can reach the hostel by taxi or bus or, if you are feeling energetic, it is a thirty minute walk from Cessnock.