Gardens Plan For Family Fun

Newcastle Herald

Friday January 9, 2009

GR

THE Hunter Valley has a reputation as the perfect destination for couples, but so much of what the area has to offer is also perfect for families.

Hunter Valley Gardens is offering over two weeks of Australiana school holiday fun with a Kids Stay, Play and Eat for Free offer aimed at making it even more affordable for a family getaway. Packages at the Grand Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens include accommodation for two adults and two children under the age of 12; free breakfast for two children per booking; 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 is also screening children's movies nightly from 6.30 to keep the kids amused while mum and dad enjoy a Hunter Valley wine in peace.

Executive assistant manager at the Grand Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens, Jess Graham, said that as part of the Australiana School Holiday festival, the award-winning international display garden would 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 and Jill, Humpty Dumpty, Alice in Wonderland, and Little Bo Peep," she said.

"For adults there are 11 other gardens including an Italian grotto, a Chinese garden and an 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. Leisure facilities include tennis courts, a resort-style pool, sauna, spa, and Lodge Library, with the Hunter Valley Gardens Village 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.

Events . . . educate children and celebrate the heritage of Australia.

© 2009 Newcastle Herald

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