FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

📍Where is the festival located?

The festival will be held in the Conference and Events Centre & Outdoor Lawn of Rydges Resort Hunter Valley. Enter via the hotel reception or walk past the tennis courts.

⏰ What time does the festival start and finish?

Saturday 11th July 2026, 11am to 5pm.

🎟 Can I buy my ticket on the day?

Yes you can.

NO tickets will be available at the gate. All tickets must be purchased online.

🎒 What do I need to bring?

Your ticket — printed or ready on your phone (no ticket, no entry)
Proof of age — licence, passport or proof‑of‑age card
Credit/Debit card — we are 100% cashless across the entire festival

🚫 Please do not bring:
Outside food or drinks, alcohol, glass, bottles, cans, drugs, fireworks, weapons, or anything that could be used as a weapon.
All bags are subject to inspection on entry.

💧 Free water will be available at each exhibitor stand.

🍺How do I purchase drinks?

The festival is a 100% cashless event, and all transactions must be processed using the Square terminals at each exhibitor.

Beverages can be served in the following sizes:

30ml taster – wine
150ml serve – wine
5-7 ml – spirits
30ml spirit with minimum 200ml non alcoholic mixer
150ml – spirit cocktail
85ml – Beer/cider
285ml or can – beer and cider

🍇 What beverages will be available on the day?

We will have a great range of wines, craft beers, ciders, cocktails and spirits. Non-alcoholic beverages will be available on the day.

🍷 Wine will be served in wine glasses provided
🥤 All other beverages will be served in disposable plastic cupware

Pricing is set by individual exhibitors.

Can I buy products from exhibitors on the day

Absolutely, all exhibitor will be selling their wine/beer/cider/gourmet food products. Exhibitors will provide a sealable bag for purchases.

Please note these beverages cannot be consumed during the event.

🍔 Will there be food available for lunch?

Yes, there will be hot and cold food available for purchase from our 6 pop up stalls.

👦 Is this a family friendly event?

Families are welcome and there will be lots for the kids to do on the day including train rides, jumping castle, face painting and station train. It is a great day out for the whole family so why not spend the day in the Hunter Valley and bring the kids along too!

🎟 Kids 17 and under can enter free of charge but must get a ticket online when purchasing adult ticket.

🎠 Purchase a kids activities pass on the day of festival for $10 per child to gain access to all of the above.

🎶Will there be entertainment?

The festival will have live music throughout the day to keep you entertained.

Keep an eye out for the eating competition on stage and activations to win prizes.

Our Festival Program and Digital Festival Guide with all the info will be released closer to the event – stay tuned!

🚬 Is smoking permitted?

Smoking will be permitted in designated outdoor areas only (see festival map on the day for location).

🚖 TRANSPORT OPTIONS

Parking available on site.

Sip & Trip Festival Transfers

Let the good times roll—without the parking stress! Sip & Trip offers safe, comfortable transfers to and from the festival with convenient pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland:

Rydges Newcastle

Address: Wharf Rd & Merewether St, Newcastle, NSW 2300

East Maitland – see locations on each transfer

Ride with us for a fun, stress-free journey. Great vibes, no driving worries. Book your seat with Sip & Trip now!

TO Festival (Ticket includes transfer to festival, a Sydney Brewery beer and bottle of water)

9.30am pick up from Rydges Newcastle
10.15am – Pick up from Bus Stop on New England Hwy after William St (outside the U-Go East Maitland)
11am approx – drop off at Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festial, Rydges Resort Hunter Valley

$27pp each way

RETURN To East Maitland and Newcastle (Includes transfer and bottle of water)

5pm pick up from Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festial, Rydges Resort Hunter Valley
Drop off location 1 – New England Hwy before William St (outside East Maitland Uniting Church)
Drop off location 2 – Rydges Newcastle