Hunter Valley holiday rentals for groups

This is the kind of accommodation you’re going to want to secure if you’re organising a hens weekend in the Hunter Valley. The Monkey Place Country House sleeps between eight and 14 guests, with ample space for activities, including a pool and hot tub. These spaces are perfect for kicking back for an evening and enjoying clear views of the night sky.

The kitchen is the focal point of the house, and is ideal for a group feast, along with a few bottles from the nearby wineries. If cooking for a large group isn’t your thing, the house owners have an established catering business and will be more than happy to provide a bbq or banquet for the group, without you needing to leave the house.

One of the newer accommodation options in the area, Block Eight offers four luxury self-contained villas, which are ideal for couples, as well as a three-bedroom guesthouse. The property itself is home to 15 acres of grapevines and 10 acres of olive groves, with Block Eight wines and olive oils sold on site.

Each of the villas has been tastefully decorated, with large kitchens (complete with ovens), and separate bedrooms and living areas. The guesthouse sleeps six adults and has ample room for entertaining, including a chef’s kitchen and outdoor deck. Welcome platters of cheeses and Block Eight wines on arrival make staying here a treat.

When it comes to activities, Block Eight owners, Todd and Jeff are known to go above and beyond for guests. This includes tailoring cellar door tour routes, or taking you out in the Block Eight Mercedes Benz, giving you a local’s guide to the region.

If you’ve been tasked with finding Hunter Valley accommodation for a large group, then look no further. Cants Cottage sleeps up to 13 people in a loft-style wooden house, sitting on the edge of a hill looking out to Barrington Tops.

The cottage is ideal year-round, featuring a pool for summer and an inviting open fireplace for the cooler months. The wrap-around verandah leads out to a thatched-roof cabana that provides hands-down, one of the best views of The Hunter we’ve ever seen.

Ingredients for a wholesome country breakfast–bacon, eggs and cereals, are provided for the first morning. Feed the group, and then head out to a few of the nearby cellar doors in Broke. Anyone who has made the switch to organic wines is in for a treat here, with Ascella Wines and Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard pouring some of the best organic wines in the region.

Another great option for larger groups is this architecturally designed house can sleep up to 16 guests. The four sections of the Brokenback Views House has been designed so they can be rented separately, or together, with a large communal dining and living area. This is truly the perfect getaway for couples or friends that need their space when travelling together.

Interiors are spacious, with wooden flooring and large windows that make the most of the views out to Brokenback Range. Each bedroom has its own private balcony, and the communal kitchen is well equipped to handle the masses.

One of the best features of Brokenback (apart from the views) is that a one-kilometre walk up the driveway leads you to the township of Pokolbin, a bustling hub in The Hunter. Pokolbin is home to De Iulius Wines, the Two Fat Blokes Kitchen and arguably the Hunter Valley’s most unique fine-dining experience, EXP. restaurant. Make time to schedule in a visit to all three.

This eco-friendly lodge sleeps up to four adults and is only a 25-minute drive from Singleton. Set on a large cattle grazing property, The Wattle Lodge offers seclusion and privacy, with spectacular views out over the Glendon Brook Valley.

The interior of the lodge feels homely, with two bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. The biggest highlight of a stay here is the front deck and bbq. Kick back on the deck and enjoy the sunset over the valley with a glass of wine from one of the nearby wineries.

Good news for pooch owners – this property is dog-friendly, so your four-legged friend can join your weekend escape.

Eclectic Vineyard Lodge is one of the most luxe bush lodges in The Hunter. Sitting in the middle of bushland, the two-story dwelling has been built from natural materials, and finished with corrugated iron, giving it a truly Australian feel. Two bedrooms and a fold out sofa make it ideal for up to six adults. Spend the evenings on the upstairs deck, which looks out to the dam and over the vines of Eclectic Vineyard.

Exploring The Hunter by bike is one of the best ways to get between cellar doors. Eclectic Vineyard Lodge is ideally located just off the new Hermitage Road bike track that links more than a dozen wineries in the area. If biking sounds too strenuous, hire an electric bike or a car and driver for the day.

Manzanilla Ridge is your go-to option if you’re looking for affordable group accommodation in the Hunter. Both the Schull Cottage and Maracas Cottage sleep up to six adults, while the two smaller cottages sleep up to four.

The cottages look right at home on the 52-acre property, which is surrounded by bushland, ensuring privacy. Each cottage features cathedral ceilings and exposed oregon beams, in addition to large, well-equipped kitchens and living areas. The wood fires and outdoor spas top off the experience of staying here.

This private, two-story house can sleep nine adults and is just a one-hour drive from Newcastle, or two hours from Sydney. With a backdrop of the heritage-listed Yengo National Park, you will feel one with nature at Green Gables Lodge.

Each of the four bedrooms has its own bathroom–a nice luxury when travelling with larger groups. Downstairs, guests can take advantage of the library, which is home to a large collection of books and magazines. The pool is great for summer, while the electric fire is a nice (and easy) way to warm up in winter. Don’t feel like driving? Let the hosts organise a private chef, hotel or concert transfers (ideal if you’re attending A Day on the Green).