Morning

Good morning Mudgee! Grab coffee and a pastry from Althea by Zin, a cute bakery from Kim Currie of Zin House fame (more on that later). The berry tarts and baked cheesecake are local icons. Stroll into town and admire the heritage buildings that line the streets. Mudgee has preserved many of its beautiful colonial structures, like the post office, St Mary's Church, town hall and Regent Theatre. True history buffs can add a stop at the excellent Mudgee Museum.

Mudgee Streets, Mudgee

Continue on to the Mudgee Arts Precinct, the cultural home of the region. The multi-million-dollar space hosts a rotating calendar of exhibitions from local, national and international artists. The complex is also home to the Mudgee Visitor Information Centre if you're looking for any tips or recommendations.

Mudgee Arts Precinct, Mudgee

Afternoon

Make the one-hour drive to the tiny village of Rylstone for lunch. It's home to 29 Nine 99, an authentic Chinese tea house that's been serving yum cha and more than 30 types of dumplings for almost 20 years. It's developed a huge following amongst both locals and visitors, so it's a good idea to book in advance.

29 Nine 99, Rylstone

It's another 30 minutes to Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp, a serene waterway on the Cudgegong River inside the Wollemi National Park. This afternoon, choose how you want to explore it. Hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard from Southern Cross Kayaking to wind through deep gorges and past striking rock formations. Hike through the untouched bushland, swim in the cool water and look out for the many bird species that live here.

Southern Cross Kayaking, Wollemi National Park

Evening

Gigi's Restaurant is one of the new stars of Mudgee's dining scene. A traditional Italian menu, farm-to-table produce from local suppliers and warm hospitality are paired with the region's best wine for a meal to savour. Roth's Wine Bar and Cellar is one of NSW's oldest wine bars and where you'll want to go for an after-dinner digestif and, if you've got the stamina, a boogie on the dance floor to the live music. Settle in with the local version of a negroni, made with gin from Mudgee's own Baker Williams Distillery.

Gigi's Restaurant, Mudgee - Credit: Alan Jensen

Morning

Get the day underway with a caffeine hit from Alby & Esther's. Pressed into a gorgeous late-19th-century stone building, this courtyard cafe is a delightful slip of morning calm. Fuel up with an Esther's Jaffle, made with smoked ham and local free-range eggs.

Alby & Esters, Mudgee

Then – it's wine time. Grapes have been grown around Mudgee for almost 130 years. Today, there are 65 vineyards and more than 35 cellar doors showcasing a huge variety of wines, from robust shiraz and fruity chardonnay to modern varietals like pinot grigio, tempranillo, sangiovese and many more. Let the experts from Mudgee VIP Wine Tours plan the perfect itinerary, perhaps visiting Logan Wines, Stein Winery, 791 Estate, Gooree Park and De Beaurepair Wines.

Logan Wines, Apple Tree Flat

Afternoon

Relax over a long lunch at Zin Food + Wine House at Lowe Family Wine Co. After 10 years as the hatted fine diner Zin House, it underwent a revamp in 2026 to become a more informal, communal dining experience. The shared grazing-style menu could include dishes like zucchini and corn fritters with yoghurt and fetta dip, purple potato and spinach gozleme, hibachi grilled chicken with marjoram and saltbush za'atar, or Tinja lamb lasagne.

Zin Food and Wine House, Eurunderee - Credit: Monique Lovick

Evening

After a big day, you can relax over a burger and a beer at Mudgee Brewing Co. Set inside the 100-year-old Woolstore building in the centre of town, they make everything from a thirst-quenching summer ale to the famed Mudgee Mud Stout. There's live music on the weekends, a cosy outdoor courtyard and plenty of good times to be had.

Mudgee Brewing Co., Mudgee

Morning

It's an early start this morning, but the views will be worth it. Balloon Aloft Mudgee will take you on a scenic sunrise flight over the rolling hills and lush vineyards surrounding the town. The flight takes around an hour and you'll enjoy a celebratory breakfast at Gigi's Restaurant afterwards.

Hot air ballooning in Mudgee

Before you leave town, pick up some local goodies to go with the wines you bought on tour yesterday. Visit High Valley Cheese Co for their award-winning triple cream brie, smoked cheddar or two varieties of blue cheese. For something sweet, Spencer Cocoa Chocolate Makers creates exclusive 'bean-to-bar' chocolates using cocoa grown in Vanuatu. Olives, oils, syrups and jams are available from Aril Estate, an olive and pomegranate producer.

High Valley Mudgee Cheese Co., Mudgee

Afternoon

Take the long way home via the historic gold mining village of Hill End, with a quick stop for a lunch of woodfired pizzas at Burnbrae Wines. Hill End is around an hour from Mudgee and the whole village is heritage listed, with many of its gold rush era buildings still standing. Stretch your legs on a self-guided walking tour or try your luck panning for gold at the Tambaroora Fossicking Area.

General Store, Hill End - Credit: John Spencer | DCCEEW

Evening

Continue on to the Bells Line of Road, which winds through tiny villages and stunning bush scenery on the way back to Sydney. If you need another pit stop, drop in to the Hillbilly Cider Shed. There's a large grassy area for kids and dogs to run around while you sip on one of their Julie Ciders, made from apples only grown in Bilpin.

Hillbilly Cider, Bilpin