Cold Feet, Warm Hearts Snow Time in the Garden Brings the Magic!
- Liane Morris
- 22 hours ago
- 6 min read
There’s no need to head to the mountains to find snow this winter. From 27 June to 26 July, Snow Time in the Garden returns to Hunter Valley Gardens, bringing snow play, ice skating, toboggan rides and carnival attractions into the heart of wine country.
Set across 14 hectares of themed gardens in Pokolbin, the month-long event transforms the landscape into a working winter playground complete with real snow, an open-air ice rink, a 45-metre ice toboggan, amusement rides and roving entertainment designed for all ages.
And the best part? No snow chains. No alpine drive. No weekend logistics spreadsheet. Just a short trip into the heart of Pokolbin and suddenly you’re in the middle of a winter experience that feels lifted straight from the mountains, only with better coffee nearby and a cellar door waiting for you on the way home.
Now in its second decade, Snow Time in the Garden has quietly become one of the Hunter’s most anticipated seasonal events.
“Year after year, we love seeing guests return to experience the magic, excitement and festive atmosphere that makes Snow Time so special,” says Julie Pettit, Marketing Manager at Hunter Valley Gardens.
“For many families it’s an annual winter tradition. There’s something truly unique about stepping into a winter wonderland right here in the Hunter Valley.”
It’s that contrast of snow against vineyards, ice against sandstone, winter fun surrounded by wine country that continues to define the appeal. For the team at Hunter Valley Gardens, Snow Time doesn’t just appear; it’s built from the ground up, months in advance.
Sales & Event Manager Stacey Morrison says preparations begin as early as April, with the site gradually transformed into a functioning winter environment.
“We start preparations at the beginning of April,” she explains. “Right now, we’re laying pipework and setting everything up, and snow production begins about three weeks out. The weather plays a big part in how the snow forms, which is why we start early so we can build those big snowy mountains.”
“And honestly,” Stacey adds, “I love being the first one to climb the snow mountains in my big boots. It’s one of the best parts of the job.” It’s a sentiment that reflects the tone of the entire event. Stacey describes her role simply: “I get paid to come up with quirky concepts and fun adventures. It’s the funnest job in the world.”
The transformation begins the moment you enter the gates. The familiar pathways of Hunter Valley Gardens are reimagined into a series of wintry zones, with snow machines working daily to keep conditions fresh and play-ready.
Ten themed gardens remain at the heart of the experience, including the ever-popular Storybook Garden. There’s music drifting through the air, bursts of laughter from the Snow Play Zone, and the unmistakable sound of skates on ice. Even before you’ve done anything, the atmosphere does most of the work.
For many families, the Snow Play Zone is the first stop, and often the last. It’s simple, tactile, and endlessly repeatable. Fresh snow is pumped in daily, creating soft, sculptable drifts perfect for building snowmen, launching snowballs, or simply sinking in and making snow angels.
Stacey says it’s this simplicity that keeps families returning year after year.
“My daughter has been coming every year since she was little,” she says. “It’s been fascinating watching how her experience has changed as she’s grown. This year she’s bringing her friends, and they’re all about snow angels and just being in it together.”
Gloves, waterproof jackets and spare socks quickly become the unofficial uniform of the day. Dress for wet conditions, bring a towel, and pack a change of clothes. Because once the snow starts flying, staying dry is rarely part of the plan.
If the Snow Play Zone is a gentle introduction, the Ice Toboggan is the adrenaline shift.
Stretching 45 metres, the giant ice slide sends riders flying down in inflatable tubes, picking up speed as laughter takes over. It’s fast, slightly chaotic, and designed for repeat rides because once is rarely enough.
Rules keep things moving safely: children under four must ride with an adult, and no doubling up in the same ring unless it’s an adult-child pairing.
At the centre of Snow Time sits the open-air ice rink, a surprisingly large space capable of holding more than 200 skaters at a time. Made with real ice and supported by timed sessions, it offers a structured but still relaxed skating experience.
Skate hire, helmets and hair nets are included, and sessions run for 20 minutes at a time from 10am daily. First-in, first-served ticketing adds a bit of early-morning strategy to he day, with regulars arriving early to secure preferred session times.
This year, a key change has been made to improve the flow and experience for younger skaters.
“The junior rink is now exclusively for the use of Bobby Seal skating aids and very young children,” Stacey explains. “It means kids learning to skate can do it safely, while parents can join them on the main rink.”
On peak days, the energy shifts again.
“We’ll have DJ Jeff ramping up the atmosphere on busy days with his Glacial Groove,” Stacey says.
“It really lifts the whole rink, it becomes part skating, part party.”
Beyond the snow and ice, Snow Time leans into its carnival side.
The 25-metre Ferris Wheel rises above the event, offering sweeping views across the winterised gardens. Below it, the Venetian Carousel spins in traditional style, while Swing Chairs and Tea Cups add movement and colour to the landscape.
Roving entertainment brings another layer of energy. This year, visitors can expect encounters with Polar Bear, Penguin and Mr Abominable Snowman, along with Glacier Guy, who also leads snowball games, scavenger hunts and interactive play in peak periods. Scallywagz have also introduced a new Yeti character, developed specifically for the Abominable Adventure storyline. Plush Yeti toys are even available in the gift shop, extending the experience beyond the gates.
One of the standout additions in recent years is the Abominable Adventure, a gardenwide scavenger hunt that turns the landscape into an interactive storyline. Families collect maps at the entry, then follow clues and checkpoints throughout the gardens, working toward the goal of freeing the Frozen Yeti. It’s simple in structure but effective in execution: it gets people moving, exploring, and engaging with parts of the gardens they might otherwise miss.
All that activity inevitably drives hunger pangs.
Throughout the event, visitors will find a wide range of winter-friendly options, including wood-fired pizza, nachos, burgers, dumplings, loaded fries, toasties and hot chips, alongside waffles, churros, fairy floss and hot chocolate. There’s a deliberate focus on warmth and comfort with food that works best eaten with cold fingers and flushed cheeks. It’s also where the pace naturally slows. Families gather, thaw out, and recalibrate before heading back into the snow.
Even with all the snow and spectacle, the gardens remain central to the experience Spanning 14 hectares, they offer space to wander between attractions or step away from the activity altogether. In winter, the contrast between themed landscaping and snow installations creates a layered visual experience that is part botanical, part winter set piece.
It’s this dual identity that continues to set Snow Time apart from more conventional winter festivals. It’s not just an event space, it’s a working garden that shifts its personality with the season.
Snow Time in the Garden runs daily from 9am to 5pm, with activities operating from 9:30am to 4:30pm. The last entry for Snow Time experiences is at 3pm, and general garden entry closes at 4pm. Tickets include access to snow play, ice skating and the toboggan, while rides operate on a ticketed system. Family passes remain one of the most popular options, particularly during school holidays.
The advice from organisers remains consistent: arrive early, pre-book where possible, and plan must-do attractions first.
One of Snow Time’s defining strengths is its accessibility. Located just two hours from Sydney and under an hour from Newcastle, it offers a winter escape without the usual travel burden.
It also sits in the middle of one of the country’s most established food and wine regions, meaning the experience can easily extend beyond the gates into cellar doors, restaurants and accommodation stays.
Snow Time in the Garden continues to refine itself year after year, but its core appeal remains unchanged - the chance to experience snow, ice and winter play in the middle of wine country, without the complexity that usually comes with it.
It’s playful, accessible, and deliberately designed for families looking for something that feels both easy and memorable.
And in a region known for its food, wine and slower pace, it adds something slightly unexpected into the mix: a full-blown winter playground, right where you least expect it. Visit www.huntervalleygardens.com.au/events/snow-time-in-the-garden for daily updates.
Event Entry: 9AM to 5PM (last entry 3PM)
Snow Time Family Pass 2ad + 2ch (4-15yrs) $128.00
Snow Time Family Pass 2 Adults + 1 Child ( 4-15yrs) $104.00
Snow Time Family Pass 1 Adults + 2 Children (4-15yrs) $97.00
Snow Time Adult (16yrs +) $42.00
Snow Time Child Pass (4-15yrs) $31.00
Snow Time Extra Child (4-15yrs) $28.00
Snow Time Child Pass (3yrs and under) $0.00
