Hunter Valley isn’t just about fine wines and rolling vineyards – it’s also a lively community of makers, growers, and small businesses that give the region its charm. Beyond the cellar doors, weekend markets brim with local produce, handmade crafts, and warm conversations over good coffee.
In this guide, we share some of our favourite markets and shops where you can browse like a local and take home something made with heart – and a touch of Hunter warmth.
Handmade in the Hunter Markets
- Address: 5 Halls Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
- Website: https://handmadehuntermarkets.com.au/
- Open Hours: Saturday 9am till 2pm, Some Sundays 9am – 2pm
Discover the charm of Handmade in the Hunter Markets, where every stall showcases unique creations from talented local makers. No two are the same, offering authentic, handcrafted goods made right in the Greater Hunter area.
Stroll through Sobels’ rose-lined gardens, pick up a bottle of wine or picnic treats, and enjoy a relaxed country atmosphere. After exploring the market, venture to nearby wineries, boutique restaurants, and hidden Hunter Valley gems for more local delights.
Hunter Wine Country Markets
- Address: 532 Wine Country Dr, Lovedale NSW 2325, Australia
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/Hunterwinecountrymarkets/
- Open Hours: Saturdays & 3rd Sunday of the month – 9 am – 2 pm (weather dependent)
Held at De Bortoli Wines, the Hunter Wine Country Markets showcase a mix of local art, crafts, produce, and handmade goods – all created by small businesses and artisans from around the region.
It’s a relaxed, community market where you can wander between stalls, pick up a few local treats, and enjoy live music drifting through the vines. Pair your visit with a chat about wine making and taste what the Hunter does best.
Maitland Community Markets
- Address: 50 Blomfield St, South Maitland NSW 2320, Australia
- Website: https://maitlandshowground.com.au/attractions-events/markets/
- Open Hours: First Sunday of every month, 9 am – 1 pm, from February to December
Run by the Hunter River Agricultural & Horticultural Association, Maitland Community Markets bring together over 100 stalls offering handmade goods, local produce, food trucks, and crafts. The markets have a friendly community feel and welcome dogs on leads.
Set across the historic showground, it’s an easy day trip from the Hunter Valley – a great spot to browse, grab a bite, and support local makers.
Hunter Valley Christmas Shop
- Address: Hunter Valley Gardens Village, Shop 16/20290 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2030, Australia
- Open Hours: Daily 10 AM – 4 PM (closed public holidays)
The Hunter Valley Christmas Shop keeps the festive spirit alive all year round. Set within the Gardens Shopping Village, it’s filled with ornaments, snow globes, figurines, and Christmas treasures – from Jim Shore and Patience Brewster designs to traditional baubles and lights.
It’s a cheerful stop to browse between cellar doors, especially when the Christmas Lights Spectacular brightens the season across the valley.
Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop
- Address: 2188 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
- Website: https://www.smellycheese.net.au/
- Open Hours: Daily 9 am – 5 pm
The Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop is a local favourite for artisan cheeses, cured meats, and gourmet treats. Step into the region’s only walk-in Fromagerie and sample local, Australian, and imported varieties, or try their house-made gelato crafted with a 200-year-old Italian recipe. It’s a relaxed spot to enjoy coffee, cheesecake, and a little cheese tasting before heading back through the vines.
Pokolbin Markets
- Address: 691 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
- Open Hours: Sunday: 8 AM – 2 PM
Every Sunday, the Pokolbin Market brings the heart of the Hunter Valley to life. Nestled among vineyards and rolling hills, it offers a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere with live music, artisan stalls, and gourmet local produce.
Enjoy homemade jams, baked treats, and freshly brewed coffee while exploring the market’s vibrant mix of crafts and food. It’s the perfect blend of community spirit and country charm.
Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre & Shop
- Address: 455 Wine Country Dr, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
- Open Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Sunday and Public Holidays: 9:00am – 4:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
Located in the heart of Wine Country, the Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre is your first stop for local insights, bookings, and inspiration. Open seven days a week, it features Shop Hunter Valley with handmade goods, gourmet produce, Indigenous art, and souvenirs.
Enjoy a coffee at Lovedale Café, and explore inclusive facilities with accessible pathways, picnic areas, and parking. From first-time visitors to wine enthusiasts, the Centre ensures your Hunter Valley experience is seamless and memorable.
The Store Pokolbin @ Hunter Valley Gardens
Address: SHOP 17/2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Open Hours: Daily 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
The Store Pokolbin feels a bit like a country general store, blending good coffee, homemade toasties, and local produce with a thoughtful mix of gifts and homewares. It’s a cosy stop within the Gardens Shopping Village – perfect for picking up a few Hunter-made treats or enjoying a quiet cuppa after exploring nearby cellar doors. Friendly faces behind the counter and shelves full of local flavours make it a spot worth wandering through.
Hunter Valley Souvenirs
- Address: Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village, Shop 5/2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
- Website: https://huntervalleysouvenirs.com.au/
- Open Hours: Daily 9 am – 5 pm
Hunter Valley Souvenirs is a family-run spot that brings a local touch to gift giving. What makes it special is that most of the items are made right here in the Valley – designed, engraved, or printed by the owners themselves. You’ll find keepsakes that capture the region’s character, from handcrafted timber pieces to personalised gifts. It’s a lovely stop for travellers wanting to take home something meaningful, created by locals who know and love the area.
Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village
Address: Shop 3/2090 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Open Hours: Daily 7 am – 5 pm
Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village is a charming cluster of bespoke shops offering coffee, wine, gifts, homewares, and boutique clothing. Set among landscaped gardens near the Gardens’ entrance, it’s a lovely spot to pause for lunch or a wander. With picnic tables and shady paths nearby, it captures the relaxed, creative spirit of Hunter Valley living.
Fetch Store
Address: 1946 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Open Hours: Daily 10 AM- 4 PM
Fetch Store brings colour and creativity to the Hunter, offering a curated mix of homewares, art, fashion, and gifts. Run by a local family, the boutique champions Australian-made and small-batch brands, from Sage x Clare to Jones & Co. With leafy surrounds and friendly faces, it’s a warm, welcoming space to browse, find something unique, or simply soak up a bit of Hunter Valley style.
Hunter Valley Chocolate Company @ Twenty-3-Twenty
Address: 2320 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
Open Hours: Daily 9 AM – 5 PM
Set along Broke Road, Hunter Valley Chocolate Company @ Twenty-3-Twenty is a sweet stop for anyone exploring Pokolbin. Here you can watch handmade chocolates being crafted through the viewing window, then sample them during a relaxed tasting session.
The café serves coffee, cakes and house-made fudge, best enjoyed on the verandah overlooking the vines. Shelves are lined with local jams, sauces and nuts – a little taste of the Hunter to take home.
Hermitage Lodge: Your Local Base in the Hunter Valley
Tucked among the vines in Pokolbin, Hermitage Lodge is where travellers can slow down and feel part of the Valley for a while. Our boutique vineyard setting offers a peaceful place to rest between cellar doors, markets, and local adventures.
With cosy suites, friendly faces, and that easy Hunter Valley rhythm, it’s more than just somewhere to stay – it’s a spot to unwind and savour the region at your own pace.
