Where to Stay in the Hunter Valley – Aldora Cottage, Pokolbin

Not far from the broad feet of the Broken Back Mountains and even closer to some of the region’s best wineries, Aldora Cottage in Pokolbin is the perfect romantic hideaway for a Hunter Valley escape.

Let’s get straight to the point. Aldora Cottage is horribly overlooked. Stared at by everybody. The Sun, the Moon, a few billion stars, the looming crags of the mountains – not to mention several mobs of kangaroos – there’s hardly any privacy here.

But when these rowdy neighbours aren’t craning their necks and twitching their curtains, the pristine peace of this acreage (30 acres to be exact) is sublime.

Check out our quick video walkthrough here:

The cottage itself has been designed to be completely off the grid; the property’s solar farm supplies the power and Aldora has its own water supply.

This place is entirely self-sufficient.

But don’t worry, Aldora is hardly a survivalist’s shack or prepper’s bunker. Every luxury is afforded to you here, from the cosy couch and gas-fed fireplace to a replete kitchen, an enormous bed and a deep-fill bathtub.

Outside on the veranda, the plumbed-in barbecue is all yours to use while your nosy neighbours and their joeys chew on the grass and twitch their noses.

More about Aldora Cottage

From the secure gate (you get SMSed a key code at check-in time) the curving lanes through the property lead you up to high ground where Aldora Cottage awaits. The front door – also key coded – opens onto the cosy living-dining.

To the right is the kitchen, fitted with a Nespresso machine and other mod cons.

But your eye is caught by the long fireplace beneath the big TV on the wall, and the squashy sofa coaxes you to get comfy.

Round the corner, the bedroom houses a wonderfully comfortable kingsize bed. The side tables both have smart lamps – wireless charging points for your phones. A clever touch.

The bathroom, which is the full width of the house, has a very enticing bathtub, rainfall shower and underfloor heating.

French doors take you out the back to the veranda, where you can set up for a barbie with outdoor seating for four.

There’s also a little laundry if you need to do an emergency wash.

Our only criticism if you can call it that – more of an observation – is that because this property is on its own water tanks, the pump can be a little noisy, especially if you flush to toilet or use taps in the middle of the night.

What about the rest of Jindalee Estate?

Aldora Cottage isn’t the only place you can stay on this property. Jindalee Estate is also home to a similar cottage tucked away in the trees – Yarrimbah Cottage. There’s also a bigger building – Jindalee House – that accommodates up to eight people.

The potential to expand your romantic retreat to a bigger gathering of up to 12 people suddenly becomes very tempting – whether it’s a multi-generational family get-together or you and your mates away for some fun in the Hunter.

Just remember, it won’t be just you and your nearest when you’re here. Those ‘roos just love to get involved!

We stayed at Aldora Cottage as media guests.