'I thought the Hunter Valley wasn't for me. Instead, it helped me face my biggest fears.'

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First of all, let's set the scene.

You haven't had a real break in two years; you've been busy with work, the admin of life, and generally just keeping up with this economy. You're exhausted — scratch that — you're completely drained of life at this point. You can't even imagine finding the time to plan an overseas trip, ironically, just for you to breathe.

That's when the opportunity for you to visit a beautiful, peaceful pocket of vineyards, extraordinary food and homegrown wine emerges.

The Hunter Valley, a three and a half hour drive from Sydney's CBD, and neighbouring the beautiful coastal bubble of Newcastle, is a place that I always thought would be beautiful, but that wasn't for me.

Why do you ask? Because I couldn't drink wine.

And this, my friends, is where I introduce our first fear on the menu: White wine.

White wine.

My body has a track record of not reacting well to the preservatives, the acidity and whatever else you may find in a cheap bottle of chardonnay. Not to get into the gory details, but let's just say one instance did, in fact, involve an ambulance.

Now, one key thing to note: any and all past experiences with white wine were most definitely cheap, store-bought bottles full of preservatives and, quoteably, described as 'battery acid'.

Not the Hunter though; the Hunter treated me very well when it came to wine.

We visited Iron Gate Estate, and with it's textured rendered walls, terracotta roof and ornamental archways, I felt as if I was sipping wine in a mediterranean villa in the heart of Spain.

We experienced an incredible wine tasting with a range of some of the crispest, cleanest and fruitiest white wines I've ever tasted. With a sampling of their other offerings and their signature Georgia Sparkling Rosé (my personal favourite), all before the most filling lunch of my life at their Iron Gate Kitchen, a rustic take on Mediterranean sharing plates.

And for the love of food, please help me find out what they put in those Wood-smoked spiced almonds.

Image: Supplied.

Our first dinner was hosted by the lovely owners of our dreamy accommodation at Tower Lodge.

And when I say you should start romanticising your life, this is what I mean.

This was the most beautifully decorated room I've ever had the luxury of staying in. Each room is unique in its artwork and theme, but all offer equal luxury and beauty in their aesthetic. The property used to be the owner's family home, which explains the warmth and history within it, before it was renovated and became the accommodation it is today.

Having hosted their own son's engagement party on the grounds, it should definitely be on everyone's wedding planning radars.

(I mean even Elton John has stayed here, come on!)

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Texture.

It feels wrong to even address this as a fear, but here it is, texture. What? That's so rogue, what do you even mean by texture? Look, it's ok, I'm self-aware enough to understand an explanation is in order.

For years I avoided certain foods because I had a fear of different textures of meats. I never ate beef, I never touched lamb, prawns, squid. You name it.

But now, I have been enlighted. But before we dine, let me give you one piece of advice: try the sauce.

We had our first dinner meal of the trip at the Tower Lodge Restaurant, where we were treated to their chef's finest items on the menu.

I ate until I needed to lie down right there on that beautifully tiled floor. I enjoyed their seared tiger prawns, with confit garlic, fermented chili, cream & lemon oil. As well as their seared scallops, the wood fire grilled octopus and their Wagyu tenderloin.

Their beef is from their family Nioka Farm, along with their incredible wine, whiskey and even their own limes for a special made Tahitian lime capriosca.

Image: Supplied.

I said yes to everything, because I quickly realised there were no wrong meals in the Hunter Valley.

Now we can't move on from the topic of texture without addressing the main event. I tried my first ever oyster in the beautiful Blanca restaurant in Honeysuckle Lane in Newcastle. I once overheard a stranger describe the texture of oysters to be like snot.

Now, I'm not the biggest fan of various seafoods so naturally that made it feel like an easy pass. But with my newfound lust for life and the Hunter opening my eyes to the incredible experiences food has to offer, I did it.

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Safe to say I felt silly for putting it off for so long, it was incredible. It was fresh, firm, and felt like I'd just taken a sunset dip in the very harbour we were staring at.

So thank you, Blanca, for such a monumentous experience in my texture journey. I will be coming back and making my fiancé try his first oyster there, too.

Oh and speaking of incredible wine and food, please for me, try to experience the 5 course menu at Muse Dining. I have never had a more beautiful experience with food or staff, than at this restaurant.

Every dish was like artwork and I tried flavours I never knew I could experience. They deserve all the praise they get, trust me.

And when they ask you what you want for dessert, try the coconut, you won't regret it.

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Heights.

Now take a step back in time with me for a moment, we're at my year nine school camp at the humbling age of 15. My group are completing an obstacle course a mere metre or two above the grass. Things are going well, people are having a splendid time. Then there is me. I'm stuck on a platform, clinging to a pole while my entire year is held up behind me, my teacher below struggling to encourage me to move. People are watching me as I shake and cry.

Is it from fear? Or are the tears now because of the embarrassment? We may never truly know. But safe to say, I have a pretty shocking fear of heights.

Now, we're backin the Hunter Valley, and about to float 2,000 feet up into the air. Brilliant.

I took comfort in knowing I wasn't the only one with a fear of heights there that day and was pleasantly surprised not one of us chickened out.

We were in very capable hands, the hosts at Balloon Aloft knew what they were doing the whole time, I don't know how they read the wind conditions but they have a gift.

I wasn't shaky or nervous in the slightest, and when I tell you the air just felt better up there, I mean it. You have not seen the Hunter Valley unless you've seen it from 2,000 feet.

The land alone is gorgeous, but seeing the early morning sun as it leaks across paddocks and vineyards was like nothing I've ever experienced. It was so smooth, peaceful and honestly eye-opening at what you could be missing just by saying, "Nah, I'm good."

It was so beautiful, it was like my brain couldn't fully register what it was seeing. It felt like I was looking at a screensaver on a flatscreen.

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Feeling exposed.

This one feels quite valid, but also one of those fears you just need to rip off like a bandaid.

I have never gone for a massage because I was afraid of feeling naked and exposed in front of a stranger. Swimmers at the beach? Different. Physio therapy apointment? Different.

All of my assets out, oiled up and lying there like a Christmas ham? Terrifying.

Until the lovely staff at Elysia Wellness Retreat made me feel more comfortable and relaxed then I had ever been. My massuese, Laura, was so sweet, professional and honestly made me feel so at ease.

So if you're in the Hunter, book a relaxation massage at Elysia, and be sure to ask for the scalp massage at the end. You're welcome.

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I was so relaxed as we glided right into the most romantic venue I've ever experienced; I was deadass convinced I was in the South of France. The beautiful Bistro Molines boasts Provence, with it's courtyard, vines, wrought iron chairs, and oh yeah, the most perfect view I've ever seen.

We ordered a range of plates from the menu by Multi Award-winning chef, Robert Molines, and it's safe to say we thoroughly enjoyed every single item. It's clear why Bistro Molines is one of the most beloved venues in the Hunter.

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Change.

Now for my final fear: change. The fear of change feels heavy when you don't make any moves. The more you experience, the more you see it all feels more possible. It only took 6 hours in Newcastle to realise that's where I want to live one day.

I took to the harbour and attempted to sail with the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, I also fell back in love with art at the newly renovated Art Gallery of Newcastle (the grand opening is coming in February). You can tell the team there have put so much love into this, it's going to be amazing.

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For the first time in almost 2 years I felt like I took my first proper breath. A breath that didn't feel shallow or forced, one without strain or struggle. It felt easy, welcoming and hopeful. So yes, it might not be in a year, it could even be over ten, but the call of Newcastle for my next chapter is definitely not going anywhere soon.

So yes, I will be seeing Newcastle again very shortly…I've already booked my stay at Crystalbrook.

So if you've been feeling like you've lost your spark recently, plan a romantic trip away for yourself.

And by romantic, I'm not talking with a partner, it can be with friends, with family or yourself, the goal is to fall back in love with living, and the Hunter Valley and Newcastle definitely did that for me.

Drink some wine, book that massage, try something new, touch some grass and breathe.

Be sure to Visit NSW to plan your next adventure.

Mamamia travelled as a guest of Visit NSW. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's own.

Feature image: Supplied.