✅ What’s Included

Itinerary Activities

• Wine tastings at 3 boutique cellar doors
• Educational cheese tasting platter at Hunter Valley Cheese Factory
• Cafe-style lunch with one drink at Cypress Lakes
• Comprehensive driver-guide commentary

Guides & Support

• Experienced driver-guide
• Air-conditioned superior minibus

Eco & Practical

• Selected Sydney inner-city pick-up/drop-off points
• Water refill station on coach
• Minimal-impact practices and cultural respect education

🚫 What’s Not Included

• Additional beverages, snacks or tastings beyond those listed
• Hotel transfers beyond listed Sydney pick-up points
• Travel insurance (highly recommended)
• Personal expenses or souvenirs
• Entry to Hunter Valley Gardens (optional, at own expense)

Spring (Sep–Nov) — Mild and pleasant (15–24°C), vineyards in bloom — ideal for outdoor tastings.
Summer (Dec–Feb) — Warm to hot (20–30°C), longer days.
Autumn (Mar–May) — Mild and beautiful (15–25°C), harvest season with vibrant colours.
Winter (Jun–Aug) — Cool days (10–20°C), crisp air and cosy indoor tastings.

What to Pack
Mild to warm days with cooler evenings possible in the valley – pack for comfort and sun protection.

✅ Essentials

• Valid photo ID (required for wine tastings)
• 1 L refillable water bottle
• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Layers for weather changes
• Comfortable closed-toe shoes
• Small day pack (5–7 kg max)
• Cash or card for extra purchases
• Camera or phone

Toiletries & Extras

• Personal medications
• Hand sanitiser

Luggage Limits

• Small day pack or hand luggage only (5–7 kg max; no suitcases or large backpacks – store at your accommodation)

The Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest continuously operating wine region, with commercial winemaking dating back to the 1820s.

It is famous for Semillon (especially aged styles) and Shiraz, but also produces excellent Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Verdelho.

The valley is divided into Lower Hunter (warmer, famous for Shiraz) and Upper Hunter (cooler, known for Semillon).

The area sits on rich volcanic soils and has a unique microclimate protected by the Brokenback Range.

The Wonnarua people are the Traditional Owners, with a deep connection to the land long before European settlement and viticulture.

Over 150 wineries now operate in the region, ranging from large estates to tiny family-run boutique producers.

The Hunter is also a food-lover’s paradise, renowned for cheese, chocolate, olives, and fresh produce.

Carbon Footprint & Offset Report: Hunter Valley Wine Tour from Sydney

Quick Snapshot

Estimated CO₂e footprint per participant: 130 kg CO₂e
(higher-end conservative estimate – covers all on-tour impacts plus average local travel to/from Sydney pickup points)

Our 200% offset commitment per booking: 260 kg CO₂e
Funded through genuine landscape restoration in climate-vulnerable developing regions (reforestation, mangroves, soil regeneration, etc.). This creates real net-positive impact beyond neutrality.

Tour summary

• 10-hour day tour (departs 7:00am, returns 6:00–6:30pm)
• Small group (6–14 travellers)
• Starts and ends at selected Sydney inner-city pickup points (e.g. Mercure Sydney, Hilton Sydney, Four Seasons, etc.)
• Air-conditioned superior minibus (Mercedes-Benz Sprinter) (~360 km round trip)
• Inclusions: cafe lunch with drink, cheese tasting platter, wine tastings at 3 boutique cellar-doors, 1L refillable water bottle
• Highlights: 3 hand-picked boutique wineries (meet winemakers), Hunter Valley Cheese Factory tasting, village boutique shops & galleries, scenic countryside and Sydney Harbour views en route

Overview

This report estimates the carbon footprint for one individual participant on this tour using higher-end data from trusted sources. We intentionally choose upper-range figures to fully cover every impact – including hard-to-measure parts like supply chains and indirect effects.

We then double it (200%) and fund genuine landscape restoration projects in developing and climate-affected regions worldwide. This goes beyond standard offsetting to deliver real, lasting benefits for ecosystems and communities.

All figures in kg CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent – the standard measure that includes all greenhouse gases).

Tour Details

• Duration: 10 hours
• Key locations: Sydney CBD pickups, Hunter Valley (Pokolbin area: 3 boutique cellar-doors, Hunter Valley Village, Cheese Factory)
• Travel style: Relaxed small-group gourmet wine day tour with tastings and scenic drives
• Assumptions: Average participant, standard behaviours, higher-impact choices where uncertain. Local travel to Sydney pickup points is factored into the higher-end footprint for completeness.

Calculation Approach

• Sources: UK DEFRA 2025 conversion factors, Australian National Greenhouse Accounts 2024, UNWTO tourism data, IPCC guidelines, and peer-reviewed studies.
• Higher-end scale: Upper-range emission factors everywhere, plus well-to-tank fuel effects, +20% uncertainty buffer, and conservative assumptions for Sydney-to-Hunter-Valley minibus operations and tourism-level food/wine tastings.
• Per person, full tour experience.
• Excludes only purely personal extras (e.g. souvenirs or additional tastings at own expense).

Detailed Emissions Breakdown (per participant)

Transportation – 75 kg CO₂e

• Average local travel to/from Sydney pickup points (higher-end mix of car, taxi or public transport): 25 kg
• All on-tour superior minibus transfers (~360 km round trip, shared small group): 50 kg – higher-end diesel factor with realistic low-occupancy buffer

Accommodation – 0 kg CO₂e

• Day tour only – no overnight stay

Meals & Food – 30 kg CO₂e

• Cafe lunch with drink + cheese tasting platter + wine tastings at 3 cellar-doors: 30 kg – higher-impact estimate including production, transport, packaging and tourism portions

Activities & Excursions – 25 kg CO₂e

• Guided tastings & winemaker chats, village exploration, commentary and short walks (<1 km total)

TOTAL ESTIMATED FOOTPRINT PER PERSON: 130 kg CO₂e

Our 200% Offset Commitment

• Amount we will offset:2 × 130 kg = 260 kg CO₂e per individual booking
• How: Direct funding of landscape restoration projects – reforestation, mangrove protection, regenerative agriculture, wetland and soil carbon restoration
• Where: Developing countries and regions most affected by climate change (e.g. Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America) for maximum global benefit and community co-benefits
• Why 200% and higher-end estimates: To guarantee coverage despite any measurement discrepancies and to create genuine extra positive impact

Important Notes

• Numbers are deliberately conservative (higher) so we over-deliver on restoration – real footprint may be lower
• The tour already has strong sustainability practices (minimal ecosystem disturbance, respect for traditional owners, refillable water bottle provided, stay on designated paths, waste management, no feeding wildlife); our independent higher-end analysis adds extra certainty
• Carbon accounting has natural uncertainties – doubling it is the responsible way
• This directly supports long-term carbon-sequestering landscapes and local communities

Is this tour suitable for non-drinkers?
Yes — you can still enjoy the scenery, cheese tasting, lunch and village exploration.

Can children join the tour?
No — the tour is not suitable for children 17 and under due to the focus on wine tastings.

How many wineries do we visit?
Three boutique cellar doors (exact wineries may vary based on availability and season).

Is lunch included?
Yes — a cafe-style lunch with one drink is included (vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free options available).

What if I have dietary requirements?
Please advise at time of booking (not guaranteed but catered where possible).

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
No — the minibus is not wheelchair accessible.

What is the luggage limit?
Small day pack only (5–7 kg). No suitcases or large backpacks.

Do I need to bring my own water?
Yes — bring a 1 L refillable bottle (refill station on coach).

Are there toilets on the coach?
No — regular comfort stops are scheduled.