Broke

A beautiful village in the tranquil Broke-Fordwich pocket of Australia’s oldest wine making region, Broke is known for some of the best boutique wineries as well as acclaimed fine dining, World Heritage wilderness and ancient rock art.

Vineyards & cellar doors

Dotted with vineyards, Broke is home to many cellar doors, including award-winning Krinklewood Vineyard and Glenguin Estate and Vineyard. Margan Restaurant is a hatted restaurant in the prestigious Margan Hunter Valley Winery, a family-owned estate with a large kitchen garden and orchard.

Nightingale Wines also offers a memorable cellar door experience and restaurant experience. Savour views over the vineyards and spectacular Broken Back Range at Mount Broke Winery, a single-origin vineyard renowned for its fine examples semillon, verdelho and barbera.

Wine tasting at Margan Wines and Restaurant in Broke, in the Hunter Valley

Markets & fairs

Discover gourmet local produce at the Broke Village Market, held on the first Sunday of the month. Other delicious events include Whispering Brook’s annual Olive Long Table Luncheon in June. The Broke Village Fair and Vintage Car Display showcases hundreds of vintage and classic cars every September. Also in June, Smoke in Broke hosts a weekend of street food, boutique wine, craft beer, and market stalls.

Valley view from Big Yango Homestead in Yengo National Park

Natural wonders

Take a scenic drive to Yengo National Park for views of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area from Finchley Lookout. On the Finchley Cultural Walk you will see Aboriginal engravings at one of Australia’s finest Aboriginal cultural sites. Explore the park further by 4WD or mountain bike.

Getting there & where to stay

Broke is only two hours’ drive from Sydney along Tourist Drive 33, nicknamed the convict trail after the convict-built Great North Road, and 70min west of Newcastle Airport. Trains also depart from Sydney for Maitland, Morriset and Singleton, with connecting buses to Wine Country.

For a romantic getaway or a short stay, Broke is a perfect destination. Take a midweek or weekend sojourn at one of the luxury guesthouses and cottages set among the vineyards, as well as serene rural retreats. Other places to stay include holiday homes, farm stays and comfortable B&Bs.

Fly into Newcastle Airport

The Hunter Valley is within easy reach of Newcastle Airport. Choose from a range of transport services on arrival, including car rentals, limousines and shuttle buses as well as group and private transfers. Public transport options are available from the airport to Australia’s oldest wine region.

Newcastle Airport offers direct flights to and from eight destinations throughout southeastern Australia. Jetstar flies to Brisbane, Melbourne and the Gold Coast; Virgin Australia flies to Melbourne; QantasLink flies to Brisbane; and Regional Express flies to Sydney. Link Airways operates direct flights between Canberra and Newcastle six days a week. FlyPelican flies to Ballina/Byron, Canberra, Dubbo and Taree. Virgin Australia also operates seasonal direct flights to Auckland, New Zealand, between November and February.