Good cruise around the area for the price we paid. $54 each, inclusive of dinner and a desert. Main…read morewas swordfish steaks with potatoes, prawns and salad. Dessert was chocolate cake with ice cream. The food was pretty good... swordfish was slightly overcooked - but for what we paid I am not going to complain. Drinks were a little pricey tho... guess that's how they make their money back.

Went for a surprise birthday sunset sail and had a fabulous time! Mark and Rose are a superb crew…read moreand host/hostess--thank you both! They served outstanding food and wine, with many choices of both wine and champagne available. Definitely a five-star operation!!

Jan 2023. 10 out of 10!…read moreWe were in town for a few days for a wedding and we popped in to see if we could get help to purchase tickets for the Elton John concert that was in town. My phone had limited capabilities in Australia and I was unable to purchase tickets on my phone. The two workers went WAY above and beyond to assist me, using their computer and personal phone to help us purchase tickets. They spent 45 minutes assisting us and we were absolutely thrilled to be able to see the concert. The extra effort and "happy to help" demeanor were awesome. Thank you so much!

I had thought with our airport becoming an international hub it would be well prepared and an…read moreupgrade. While it's great being able to international now, it didn't seem to be thought out at all. International departures had no ability to refill water bottles and I was told to fill from the taps in the toilets. It might be fresh enough to use, but really, how hygienic is it to this this since crap floats around at every flush. Wasn't impressed. On arrival back into the country, many of us did not have a pen to fill in the arrivals form. There were two small desks for the arrival of a plane load of people, and no pens to be seen. When we were given 3 pens to share, we all had to lay on the floor to fill out our forms. I'd like to know who the people are running this show. Have they been out of the country?? I could offer a few tips on travelling. Our airport does have good things going for it and I love that we have this available. I don't think it has been thought out well enough though. We will have more international flights arriving and it could barely cope with one. I can see some big problems and delays about to occur. Let's hope for continued improvement and safe flights to great destinations.

Not the flashiest or largest of the domestic airports to grace Australia and there are almost no…read moreshops once you get in through security. It's get in check in and wait in the one main lounge for you gate to open. You can't get lost there is only one section with 3 gates. It is quite cool looking across the airfield to the RAAF base though, we got to see a Hercules Helicopter today!

Had an amazing time with 3 of my friends on an ATV tour today! The views were absolutely amazing…read moreand our tour guides, Ross and Travis allowed us to find our inner-rebellious sides while making us still feel so safe. Definitely recommend to anyone traveling to the Sydney area!

So I gots me a new favourite hostel…read more Yep, hostel, with an S. Never stayed at one? Worried they're full of dirty backpackers and head lice? If so I'm not even mad, I kind of feel sorry for you because hostels are hubs of creativity, language, international relations, and, of course, drinking. They're tiny models of what the U.N. could and should be if it got its act together. Anyway, I love hostels, and this one is just outside of Cessnock AKA Cesspit AKA The 'Pool (wholly undeserving names, all) is a fine find indeed. An old wooden homestead-style building with tin roof and a huge verandah that goes all the way around (ALL the way, baby), it's also set on tranquil bushland. Here's what's on each of the 4 sides of the ginormous property: 1. it's own beautiful private vineyard 2. a paddock and dry riverbed and friendly horse 3. grassy field with wild rabbits that come out to play at dawn and dusk 4. a gravel car park to park your Wicked Camper van if you're a tourist, or your Holden or Ford if you're anyone else, or your Daewoo Lanos if you're me. They do tours to wine country, and are a 5min drive to town ('town' being a relative concept out here), and, well, it's the most relaxed I've felt for yonks. The rooms are super bare bones, but for 30 or so clams a night, whatd'you expect, the Ritz? The common room and the big tables out on the verandah are aces for meeting people, esp. internationals.

I spent my big-three-O here. The very day where I was surrounded by new friends I just met and had…read moreno idea it was my birthday. The very day Hunter Valley hit the record high of 46c. The very day it had a clear sky at night with Orion staring at me, followed by crazy blacks clouds and thunderstorm the next day. All pretty surreal, to say the least. Nigel (if I remember the name correctly), the manager of the hostel, was also the wine tour guide too. Pretty funny, helpful, and chillaxing guy. The hot weather didn't really help us enjoying the Shiraz though, and as soon as we returned back to the hostel, we jumped into the pool (air-con in the dorm room was certainly not strong enough, but I didn't blame them - no air-con is strong enough at 46c). Spent a few night doing the usual boozing at the at the bench with other backpackers just outside of the lounge area. Turned out the guy coming from Perth was celebrating his birthday here with his girlfriend, so the 5 of us (with another geeky German geology fresh graduate, and whoever the other guy) walked about 10mins in darkness to find this pub next to the hostel. Pretty good vibe here, check it out the beer there if you have too much of Shiraz too. You kinda need a car to get around to the supermarket 5mins down the road, which I was more than happy to help the folks here with my '98 Toyota Camry. There were a friendly Korean couple here too, it's a shame we lost touch as they were not on Facebook. They also do the classic Aussie BBQ early evening at some selected days of the week, check their whiteboard.

I definitely find Cardiff one of the better stations. The platforms have a fresh look after their…read morerenos' a couple of years back. And now ticketing is primarily Opal cards. 'Don't forget to swipe'. Cardiff station is a major stop on the Newcastle line, so I know I can get 'on and off' here on every train that is coming past. Long platforms also means I don't have to travel in the last four carriages. Choices choices!! Lifts are available for those who need help with getting their bags to the platform. Glad those days of climbing the mountain of stairs up and down with heavy bags are done! I'd give this station a 5 star if it had a cafe. ;) Happy travels!!

I'd like to thank the staff at The Mercure for doing such a good job for my wedding. My check in…read moreand out was a breeze. The breakfast both mornings was delicious (so too was the 3 course wedding dishes) and our late reservations were accommodated with no fuss as well as a last minute late check out request. Table service for drinks appeared to go off without a hitch and our drinks at the bridal table were promptly refilled. The wedding coordinator changed hands a few times but I was taken care of very well by Caroline who saw it through to the end. She was professional, always immaculately dressed, calm and easy to talk to; by phone, email or in person. It was a COVID wedding to which Caroline was amazing at outlining any limitations and providing alternatives to make our wedding as safe and close to our desires as possible. I'd also like to thank Jade who showed maturity well beyond her 21 years. Never seemed concerned by the pressures I could imagine feeling catering for a wedding. To top it off we were allowed to leave everything as it was (floral arrangements, hired items etc). After a massive day it was a relief not to worry about that and be allowed to pick the items up the next day at our convenience. I will say that the pathways beyond the hotel room terraces could use some TLC. But.... I had to eat my words after commenting to my photographer that it was "a bit overgrown and viney out there". He got some amazing photos and the lush greenery added amazing contrast to the dress. Well done everyone!

I don't normally stay in hotels on vacations much preferring a friend's house or a B&B but in a…read morepinch, like Christmas holiday and 9 people to sleep, we opted for the Mercure and I'm glad we did. This hotel is centrally located to all the best restaurants and wineries in the Hunter. The rooms are very comfortable. Best of all, they have a pool: the perfect way to relax between cellar door closing hours and your restaruant reservation.