Pearls & Lights: A Festive Hunter Valley Escape

The magic of Christmas is all round us in the Hunter Valley by enjoying the spectacular lights display at the gardens. Our wonderful tour also includes a tour of Broken Bay Pearls, and the Hunter Valley wine and delicious gourmet produce.

Day 1 (LD): HOME TO HUNTER VALLEY                                                                                      Friday 28 November 2025

Welcome aboard for our holiday of Pearls and Lights touring in the Hunter Valley.  Sit back, get comfortable and meet your fellow travellers as we head out. We stop for lunch at the Karuah RSL before arriving at the Broken Bay Pearls farm, the only pearl farm on Australia’s East Coast. On our discovery tour, we’ll cruise to one of the oyster leases on the scenic lower Hawkesbury River and an immersive pearl grading session inside the restricted access Pearl Grading Room. We follow the story of the Australian Pearl from its ancient Indigenous beginnings, modern farming and grading techniques through to the finished price of unique pearl jewellery. Upon return we learn the seven virtues that underpin the value of the pearl and browse the collection of stunning pearl jewellery. We now make our way to the Hunter Valley for the next two nights.

Lunch at Karuah RSL | dinner in hotel

Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens | 2 nights 

Day 2 (BLD) INDULGENCE AND LIGHTS                                                                               Saturday 29 November 2025

We make our way to the picturesque town of Morpeth, steeped in history with European settlement dating from the early 1800s. We pick up our guide for an Historic Tour of town, showcasing the change from colonial river port to the buzzing township we see today. Our tour includes entry into the Morpeth Museum. For lunch we relax in the beautiful sandstone walls and exposed antique timber rafters of Peterson Champagne House, enjoying a delicious lunch overlooking the spectacular vineyards. Before our night of lights and festive spirit we treat ourselves to a tasting at the Hunter Valley Cheese Company before a chance to stock up on sweets at the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company.  Dinner tonight is at the Garden Terrace Café with beautiful views of the surrounding Hunter Valley Gardens and the magical Christmas Lights Spectacular. Wander through the gardens to see the twinkling illumination and remarkable displays. The lights spectacular is bound to capture the Spirit of Christmas.

Breakfast and dinner in motel | lunch at Peterson Champagne House

Day 3 (BL): HUNTER VALLEY TO HOME                                               

Sunday 30 November 2025

We return to the gardens to discover the sensational sights, colours, and fragrances of the stunning Hunter Valley Gardens. Explore over 25 hectares of spectacular flowers, trees, and shrubs. Take in the views from the lookout, rest above the waterfall in the Sunken Garden or step back in time with your favourite characters in the Storybook Garden. Leaving the area, we make our way to the Raymond Terrace Bowling Club for lunch.  This afternoon we travel home, arriving with many wonderful memories travelling with friends.

Breakfast in motel | lunch at Raymond Terrace Bowling Club

Tour Inclusions

•              Port Bus welcome pack

•              2 night’s hotel accommodation

•              2 cooked breakfasts

•              2 x Morning teas from the coach

•              1 hotel dinner and 1 at Garden Terrace Restaurant in the Hunter Valley Gardens

•              3 included lunches – see below

•              Lunch at the Karuah & District RSL Club

•              Pearl Discovery including Pearl Farming and cruise, Pearl Grading at Broken Bay Pearl Farm

•              Locally guided tour of Morpeth

•              Tour Inclusions Continued

•              Entry to Morpeth museum

•              Lunch with complimentary glass of sparkling wine at Peterson Champagne House & Restaurant Cuvee

•              Visit including tasting at Hunter Valley Chocolate Company

•              Visit and tastings at Hunter Valley Cheese Company Pty Ltd

•              Garden Terrace Christmas Dinner includes entry to lights and Christmas dinner menu

•              Garden day entry at the Hunter Valley Gardens

•              Lunch at Raymond Terrace Bowling Club

Confirmed Accommodation

•              Mercure Resort Hunter Valley (2 nights)

Please Note

•              Price is based on a minimum of 20 paying passengers. If numbers fall below 20 passengers, this tour may need to be recosted.

•              Price is valid for above tour dates only and includes GST.

•              Morning teas or afternoon teas are not included unless specified.

For more information or to book;

Phone:                 02 6583 3330

Email:                  admin@portbus.com.au

Website:             https://www.portbus.com.au

Book Online:     https://events.humanitix.com/pearls-andlights-25

$1,559 pp twin | + $176 pp single sup | $350 deposit pp

The itinerary may be subject to change without notice.  Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, Expanding Horizons reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour.  Expanding Horizons will not be held responsible for weather-based cancellations, or those closures made at the venue’s discretion.