With everything from miniature train rides to an epic waterpark, Rydges Resort Hunter Valley Resort is about as family-friendly as they come. Find out what’s on during the school holidays.
Formerly known as the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Rydges Resort Hunter Valley is easy to get to – it’s just a two-hour drive north of Sydney and 30 minutes from Newcastle. Surrounded by vineyards and gum trees at Lovedale, it’s also just a short drive away from the region’s famous wineries.
Here are 12 fantastic activities to get you excited!
12 awesome kids' activities at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley
1. Splash out in the water park
One of the resort’s biggest attractions is the two-storey Water Splash Park, which has an assortment of slides, flutes, showers, water cannons and jets. There’s also a large, mostly shallow pool, which is ideal for kids.
2. Catch a movie with Rydges Reels
It’s family movie night every night at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley! There are two sessions every evening during the school holidays – one at 4pm and one at 7pm – with popcorn available to purchase. See the concierge for location details on the day.
3. Ride the magical carousel...
Kids will love riding the on-site carousel and ferris wheel, located out the front of Water Dragons Kids Club. The carousel is open at 10am and 2pm daily and cost $5, with all money donated to Lovedale Horse Rescue.
4. ...and a real-life pony!
Kids can hop on a pony four days a week at Lovedale Horse Rescue. Established by Rydges Resort Hunter Valley owner Dr Jerry Schwartz and his horse loving wife, Debbie. The couple built stables on land next to the property to care for horses starving during the drought. Rides are available Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and cost $15 per ride. Bookings are essential.
5. Make your own gourmet pizza
Make your own gourmet pizza and Rydges Resort Hunter Valley’s chefs will cook them up for lunch! Classes are held at 11am on Wednesday and Saturday and cost $20.
6. Hop aboard the Dragons Express miniature train
Miniature train rides are a hit with the littlies. The Dragons Express train station is just out the front of the kids’ club so you can easily do one straight after the other.Rides are $5 per child with profits going to the Lovedale Horse Rescue. Rides are 10.30am and 2.30pm daily.
7. Head out on a kangaroo-spotting tour
Jump aboard the air-conditioned Deltrain for a super fun kangaroo tour. Cruise around the resort to see the sights – who will be the first to spot the kangaroos grazing amongst the vineyards? You can also see a restored World War II tugboat. Tours run at 9am on weekends and school holiday, at a cost of $20 per adult and $10 per child. Book with the concierge.
8. Meet monkeys at Hunter Valley Wildlife Park
See animals including African white lions, cheetahs and lemurs, kangaroos, koalas and Tasmanian devils at Hunter Valley Wildlife Park. Book an encounter to get up close to the cute meerkats, tamarins and marmosets.
9. Join the Water Dragons Kids Club
Rydges Resort Hunter Valley’s Water Dragons Club is the biggest kids’ club in regional NSW, with loads of fun activities for children aged three to twelve. Open from 12.30pm to 3.30pm daily on weekends and school holidays, each session costs $50 per child. Make sure to book early to reserve your place.
10. Explore Hunter Valley Gardens
Hunter Valley Gardens is nearby and has ten internationally-themed gardens to discover, including the magical Storybook Garden. There are five rides open during school holidays and event periods, including a carousel, swing chair, giant ferris wheel, 35 metre-long super slide and teacup ride.
11. Go wild in the Game Zone
Open 24 hours, the resort’s games room has coin-operated gaming machines, arcade games and prize grabbers. You’ll find it on the lower ground floor just outside the entry to Lovedale Bar + Grill.
12. Enjoy the Hunter Valley Kids Cottage
There are 415 hotel rooms, villas and suites to choose from, but the ultimate family stay is the Hunter Valley Kids Cottage. Located in the centre of the resort on the activity lawn, a short walk from the kids’ club, it has a separate bedroom with a bunk bed, family movie posters on the wall and a door leading out to a fenced area for children to play. There’s also a kitchenette, a small lounge area, and an outdoor setting on the terrace.
Perks for parents at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley
Parents are sure to love the 18-hole championship golf course, adults-only pool and the Ubika Day Spa. The resort’s signature restaurant, Redsalt, awarded a prestigious chefs hat for two consecutive years by the Good Food Guide, overlooks the pool. Open for breakfast and dinner, it has a focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
The Lovedale Bar has an alfresco dining area where you can watch the sun set over the Brokenback Mountain Range. It serves award-winning local wines, espresso martinis on tap, and beer and cider from the onsite Sydney Brewery Hunter Valley (which dad is sure to love!). Wherever you dine, be sure to try the Jade Estate Semillion, made from grapes grown on the property.
Hunter Valley family holiday packages
Rydges Resort Hunter Valley’s Kids Eat Free Package includes two nights accommodation for two adults and two children (up to 12 yrs of age), a scrummy buffet breakfast daily, and a family ticket to Hunter Valley Wildlife Park or Hunter Valley Gardens. Children eat free from the children’s dinner menu in Redsalt Restaurant or Lovedale Bar + Grill when accompanied by a paying adult.
The package is only available during select school holiday periods, For more information and to book visit rydges.com
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