Snow Time in the Garden

What are the opening hours and dates of Snow Time?

Snow Time runs from 24 June to 23 July 2023.

Each day:

Garden entry open at 9am till 5pm – Last entry at 4pm
Snow Time activities from 9:30am to 4:30pm – Last entry for Snow Time activities 3pm

Ice skating ticket booth hours: 9:30am to 3:45pm
Ice skating sessions: First session 10am, last session 4pm

Amusement Rides operate from 10am to 4:30pm – Ride ticket sales close at 4pm
Ride ticket booth hours: 10am to 4pm

What additional activities are available during Snow Time?

Ice Skating, Giant Ice Toboggan, Mega Snow Play Zone, Ice Cave and roaming entertainment.

Do you have to pay for the activities once inside the Gardens?

If you wish to use our Amusement Rides there is an additional cost. Rides are $6 per ticket or 6 tickets for $30 – height restrictions apply. Rides will be available from 10am till 4pm.

A ticket can be used for one adult or one child for one single ride on the Ferris Wheel, Tea Cup, Swing Chair or Carousel. The Superslide is two rides per ticket. A parent may stand with a small child on the carousel ONLY for no additional cost.
Skating aids (Bobby Seals) will be available for hire for $6 each available for children 6 years and under ONLY.

Can you pre-book ice skating sessions?

Skating session times operate on a first-in/first-served basis with a maximum capacity. We recommend arriving early and collecting your tickets prior to participating in other activities. Ice skating tickets can be collected from 9:30am.

How long are the ice skating sessions?

Ice skating sessions last 20 minutes. Please note, the ice staking rink will be closed for maintenance and cleaning for a period of time each day.

Can you book multiple ice skating sessions?

No, due to limited capacities for each session only one group (maximum of 12) per booking can be made at a time.

What are the ice skating sessions times?

Session 1 10:00 – 10:20
Session 2 10:30 – 10:50
Session 3 11:00 – 11:20
Session 4 11:30 – 11:50
Session 5 12:00 – 12:20
Session 6 12:30 – 12:50
Session 7 13:00 – 13:20
Session 8 13:30 – 13:50
Session 9 14:00 – 14:20
Session 10 14:30 – 14:50
Session 11 15:00 – 15:20
Session 12 15:30 – 15:50
Session 13 16:00 – 16:20

Do you have to bring your own ice skates?

Hunter Valley Gardens provides ice skates in a range of sizes at no extra cost.
Guests are permitted to wear their own skates.

Children under the age of 6 years must wear a helmet and hair net. We provide helmets; however, you may bring your own helmet to ensure a correct fit for your child.

How can I book a skating aid (seal)?

Skating aids (Bobby Seals) will be available for children 6 years and under ONLY and cost $6 each. Limited Seals available. Skating aids (Bobby Seals) must be booked at the same time you book your skating session. If all the seals are booked out, our staff can let you know the next session they are available.

Note that sessions and seals operate on a first in/first served basis with limited capacity and limited skating aids available.

What should we wear to Snow Time?

To keep warm and dry we recommend you wear weatherproof/waterproof clothing including gloves, jackets, pants and shoes, especially for smaller children who will be sitting in the Mega Snow Play Zone. We also recommend you bring along an extra set of clothing and a towel.

Are there any physical restrictions on the Snow Time activities?

Ice Skating Rink

Children under 10 years of age MUST wear a helmet and children under 5 years of age must be accompanied on the ice by an adult at all times. Helmets are supplied free of charge. Skaters and parents/guardians of skaters using the ice rink, acknowledge that there is a risk of injury in ice skating, and by entering the ice rink area you freely accept that risk and liability for any injury sustained as a result of skating here or being in or around the ice rink.

Skaters may fall on the ice, and, while most falls are harmless, there is always the possibility that an injury may occur. Skaters are encouraged to wear elbow/knee pads and wrist guards to minimise injury.

Giant Ice Toboggan

Riders must be seated in the tube provided and children under 4 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Adults and children can ride together but no two children or two adults can ride on the same ring. All users must follow the operator’s instructions.

Can you see the Gardens without the activities for Snow Time?

Yes, all our display gardens are available during Snow Time. However, only Snow Time event tickets can be purchased between 24 June – 23 July.

Can you leave Snow Time and come back?

Yes, providing you return the same day the ticket is dated. See Garden Entry for details.

Event updates

Updates about weather changes or any other event announcements will be posted on our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/huntervalleygardens

Where can I buy tickets to Snow Time?

Tickets can be purchased online at hvg.com.au. Snow Time tickets are for single use only and are only valid for the date booked.

Snow Time – 9:30am to 4:30pm

Adult 16+ $38
Children 4-15 years $28
Children 3yrs and under FREE (must still have a ticket for entry)
Family 2 adults 2 children $116
Family 2 adults 1 child $94
Family 1 adult 2 children $88
Extra Child (4-15yrs) $27

Ride tickets can be purchased for $6 per ride or 6 rides for $30.

All rides are in addition to entry and can be purchased at the ticket booth located in the event area.

What method of payment is accepted?

Tickets may be purchased online via credit card, tickets can also be purchased at Garden entry using cash or credit card. Tickets cannot be purchased over the phone.

Do I need to purchase my tickets online?

Online sales close for that day at 2pm. We strongly recommend purchasing tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment.

Tickets are only available through our website and garden entry. Guests are advised not to purchase tickets from Third Party Sellers, as fraudulent tickets will not be honoured.

What if I cannot attend the date I have booked?

If you need to change the date of your booking, visit huntervalleygardens.com.au/bookings and request your change a minimum of 24 hours in advance.

Do I need to print my tickets?

We recommend printing tickets. However mobile tickets are also accepted. Tickets are able to be retrieved at entry upon presentation of identification. If tickets cannot be presented/retrieved at the gate, this will result in non-entry.

Can you purchase tickets from entry on the day of your visit?

Subject to availability, you may be able to purchase tickets at entry during the day of your visit. However, we strongly recommend purchasing all your tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment.

What happens if it rains?

Snow Time is an outdoor activity and is subject to changing weather conditions. We do our very best to make sure the activities can remain open, which means the activities will continue in the case of rain and will only be cancelled if the weather conditions are considered dangerous by event management.

Please note that changes to booking should be made a minimum of 24 hours prior to the booked session, by using this form http://bit.ly/Booking_update The team will get back to you as soon as possible during business hours Monday to Friday.

We strongly recommend you bring your own wet weather gear. The use of umbrellas is accepted.

Hunter Valley Gardens will take all reasonable efforts to notify of a cancellation, however, due to the
unpredictability of a change in weather conditions, cancellations may be at short notice.

If the activity is cancelled for any reason, the information will be posted on our Facebook page.
www.facebook.com/huntervalleygardens and an SMS sent to all ticket holders that provided a mobile phone number during the ticket purchase process.

Why does the event close in inclement weather?

We do our best to run Snow Time at all advertised times, however sometimes due to adverse weather conditions that are occurring we have to close the event as it is a health and safety risk.

PLEASE NOTE: we work very hard to open each day and will do everything in our power to ensure the event runs as planned.

I have purchased an online ticket, and it didn’t arrive, what is the next step?

Most tickets that have not been received are either caught by your email spam filters or the email address was incorrectly entered. If your tickets have not arrived, please use this form http://bit.ly/Booking_update before your date of arrival. The team will get back to you as soon as possible during business hours Monday to Friday.
If you have lost your ticket, please proceed to Garden Entry with your valid identification where a staff member will be able to look up your order at entry.

What is HVG’s activities refund policy?

Refunds are only available if the Gardens do not open on the date of your booking. Tickets may be exchanged for another day, depending on availability. Changes to tickets must be requested 24 hours prior to the booked date by visiting http://bit.ly/Booking_update

How do you reprint your online tickets?

Online tickets are emailed to the email address you provided. If you have not received your tickets, please check your spam/junk mail. If your tickets can not be located, you may have entered the wrong email address. Please contact us at bookings team for further assistance.

What are the rides?

Our amusement rides (Superslide, Swing Chair, Carousel, Ferris Wheel and Tea Cups) bring an added element of fun to the Gardens for both the young and young at heart. Children must be supervised at all times whilst on the rides.

Rides will not operate during adverse weather conditions as determined by the manager on site.

Who can go on the rides?

Guests can purchase a ticket to participate on our amusement rides providing they meet all the following safety requirements for the ride they wish to participate on.

Our rides are subject to safety requirements that a user must meet to participate. Key height restrictions are listed below, but other conditions can be found on the safety requirements signage at each of the rides.

Ferris Wheel: Children below 120cm must ride with an adult.
Carousel: Children below 105cm must ride with an adult (adult must stand next to child).
Tea Cup: Children between 95cm – 120cm must ride with an adult, 120cm and above may ride alone.
Swing Chair: Children between 110cm – 120cm must ride with an adult, 120cm and above may ride alone.
Superslide: Children between 110cm-120cm must ride with an adult, 120cm and above may ride alone.

Children must be supervised at all times.

PLEASE NOTE: Heights are checked at each individual ride and access will be approved by the operator.

Rides closures

Safety is of the utmost importance to us. Due to weather and maintenance, we may temporarily close the rides at times for customer safety, however we do endeavour to have them open again as soon as possible.

How much are the rides?

Ride tickets can be purchased for $6 per ride or 6 rides for $30.

What can I use the tickets on?

A ticket can be used for one adult or one child for one single ride on the Ferris Wheel, Tea Cup, Swing Chair or Carousel. Superslide is two tickets per person or child. A parent may stand with a small child on the carousel only for no additional cost.

Is one ticket all I need for the Ferris Wheel for my family?

Tickets are per person, not per Gondola.

Do I need to purchase an additional ticket to ride with my child?

All rides require a ticket per person. A parent may stand with a small child on the carousel only at no additional cost.

What if I have a baby, do they have to pay?

Babies 18 months and below are permitted to ride with adults on the Ferris Wheel for free. They must have a ticket for the Carousel.

Do carers with companion cards have to pay to ride?

No, carers who present a companion card at the rides ticket booth are able to get the same pass as their client or child for free.

Can I buy food and drinks at Hunter Valley Gardens?

Yes, our Garden Terrace Café will be open with take away options and limited seating. There will be food stalls in the event area.

Can I bring my own drinks into Hunter Valley Gardens?

You may bring bottled water into Hunter Valley Gardens. Alcohol and soft drinks are not permitted.

Can I bring my own food into Hunter Valley Gardens?

No food or picnics can be brought into the Gardens, food is available in the Garden Terrace Café located at the entry to the Gardens and in the food stalls located in the event area. However, you can bring sealed bottled water.

I want to bring my own food.

If you do not wish to purchase food in the Gardens, there is the option to purchase food from one of the shops in Hunter Valley Shopping Village or enjoy a packed meal or BBQ in the park near the HVG Shopping Village. We offer re-entry passes if you’re coming back on the same day. For this option, please see staff at the entry gate.

What food options are available from the food stalls within the Gardens?

The Garden Terrace Café is open daily from 9am to 3pm and will offer a range of winter treats to keep the whole family warm. The food stalls located in the event offer meals and snacks such as loaded fries, nuggets, fish & chips, ice creams, assorted soft drinks, juice, coffee & water. Plus, woodfire pizza, Mexican, Greek, gelato, donuts, churros, fairy floss, slushies and more.

Can I take my family pet, bike, skateboard, drone, rollerblades, or scooter inside Hunter Valley Gardens?

In the interest of the public, all of the above are not permitted.

What happens to lost property?

Lost property can be collected from Garden Entry or call 4998 4000. Items that are not claimed within 7 days will be discarded or donated to local charities.

Is HVG accessible to everyone?

Hunter Valley Gardens is located on a 25 hectare site. The garden paths are approximately 8km and contain loose granite which can be navigated by wheelchairs. Please wear sensible footwear and take all necessary precautions to prevent injury to yourself.

Parking

There is free parking available and limited disabled parking, displaying of a disability parking permit is required.

Guide dogs

Registered guide dogs and companion dogs are allowed into the Gardens with their owners. Documentation for these animals is required upon entry.

Am I able to hire a wheelchair?

No, we do not hire out wheelchairs.

Is HVG accessible to prams and strollers?

Paths and ramps are wide enough to accommodate pedestrians, wheelchairs and strollers.

Do you accept the Companion Card for HVG?

Yes. The Companion Card is a credit-card sized photo ID card issued to people with a disability who require lifelong attendant care. Please present your card at entry.

Do you accept pensioners card, or do you have pensioners discount?

We do not accept pensioner cards for these activities.