From Sydney, Valley View retreat is just over two hours away. From Newcastle, Valley View is around 50kms. The nearest town is Vacy - a small village with a local store, pub and a restaurant. Patterson is around 15 minutes drive and has a service station, fast foods, a general store and a greta butchery. Maitland is about 30 minutes drive and here you will find restaurants, supermarkets, movie theatre and a main shopping centre in 'Stocklands' at Greenhills. For a larger shopping experience, Westfields, Kotara or Charlestown Shopping Centre are about a 45 minute drive.