The Hunter Valley Just Got A New Country Venue: Full Throttle Ranch Is Here

Buckle up, country lovers! Full Throttle Ranch has officially opened its doors to the public, and it’s already shaping up to be the region’s new go-to destination for live music, smoky BBQ, and Southern-style hospitality.

The all-American-inspired venue is the brainchild of local couple Mick Tyrrell and Sara Berg, who have poured nearly five years of blood, sweat, and barbecue sauce into transforming the former Buttai Barn into a high-end, honky-tonk-style ranch. And in a twist of poetic timing, the venue’s grand opening falls on none other than American Independence Day, fitting for a duo with a deep love for American culture.

“When Sara and I bought the Ranch, we had a dream,” Tyrrell shares. “We wanted to build a place where everyone feels welcome, where they can let loose, feel safe, and just be themselves. After years of pushing through challenges, we’re finally here.”

Full Throttle Ranch pays homage to the golden days of the Buttai Barn, reviving the site’s legacy with a fresh twist. Drawing inspiration from the great Southern ranches of the USA, the venue features a sprawling indoor and outdoor setup, an expansive deck for larger events, and a seriously impressive reverse-flow smoker nicknamed The Undertaker, which also happens to be one of the largest in the world.

On the menu? Award-winning American BBQ, a curated selection of beers (including their own Full Throttle brew), homemade moonshine, and top-shelf whiskies. The entertainment lineup leans heavily into Country, Blues, and Rock, with both original and cover acts set to perform. Their house band, The Outlaws, will bring outlaw country classics to life, think Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson.

To kick off the live music calendar, Melbourne rockers Kingswood will headline the Ranch’s first ticketed event on July 11. A little heads up, tickets are nearly sold out, so get in quick!

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Beyond the food and music, Full Throttle Ranch is also designed for versatility, offering space for weddings and private events. To make things easier, shuttle buses will run from multiple nearby locations to ferry guests to and from the venue. How good!

Open Fridays through Sundays, Full Throttle Ranch is set to be a bold new chapter for the Hunter’s live entertainment and food scene.