The Hunter Valley has a reputation as the perfect destination for couples, but what many don't realise it's that it also perfect for families, especially with Hunter Valley Gardens offering over two weeks of Australiana School Holiday Fun from 3 – 18 January 2009. To celebrate the school holidays, Kids Stay, Play and Eat for Free, making it even more affordable for a family getaway (valid from 1 Jan to 31 Jan).
Packages start from $189.00 per room per night at the Grand Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens and include accommodation for two adults and two children under the age of 12; free breakfast for two children when their parents buy breakfast; free dinner for two children from the kids menu when dining with their parents; and a free gift for children on entry into the adjacent Hunter Valley Gardens. The hotel will also be screening children's movies nightly from 6.30pm to keep the kids amused while mum and dad can enjoy a Hunter Valley wine in peace.
As part of the Australiana School Holiday festival, the award-winning international display garden will host a number of events designed to educate children and celebrate the heritage of Australia including Aboriginal craft and painting, face painting, free Australian flag temporary tattoos and Aboriginal dance and musical performances.
Children will love the Storybook Garden which celebrates all their favourite nursery story characters including Jack & Jill, Humpty Dumpty, Alice in Wonderland, and Little Bo Peep. For adults there are 11 other gardens including an Italian grotto, Chinese garden, Indian Mosaic Garden, all linked by pathways and walks that the whole family can enjoy.
The Hunter Valley Gardens complex includes everything you could want for a family holiday including the Hunter Valley Steakhouse, Hunter Valley Gardens village with a range of boutiques and restaurants, Roche Wine Cellar Door, picnic areas, playgrounds and more.
The 72-room hotel provides a range of accommodation styles including studio suites, garden studios, spa rooms, family rooms and suites, so families can choose what best suits their needs.
Leisure facilities include tennis courts, a resort-style pool, sauna, spa, and Lodge Library, with the Hunter Valley Gardens Village – and all its attractions - right at the doorstep.
Recently recognised as Best Significant Tourist Attraction at the 2008 Hunter Tourism Awards, Hunter Valley Gardens is set before the Brokenback Ranges in the heart of the Hunter Valley, with 60 acres of magnificent garden displays including eight kilometres of pathways, 6000 trees, 600,000 shrubs and more than a million plants. The gardens showcase ten internationally themed gardens, which provide a fantastic location in which to relax.
For bookings phone the Grand Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens on (02) 4998 2000
