Mudgee Area

The Mudgee region in Country NSW offers much more than just wineries – though the stunning, award-winning boutique wineries are worth a visit alone. This region offers everything from gold rush heritage to World Heritage wilderness full of outdoor activity options.

Towns and villages

The elegant town of Mudgee is on the banks of the Cudgegong River. Its rich pastoral history and colonial gold rush era is reflected in the tree-lined heritage streetscapes. A short drive north is Gulgong, a colonial gold mining town with about 130 heritage-listed buildings, including Australia’s oldest operating opera house.

The pretty villages of Rylstone and Kandos sit on the edge of the World Heritage-listed Wollemi National Park. It’s the home of the endangered Wollemi pine, dubbed the dinosaur tree because of its prehistoric lineage. They are also the gateway to the second-largest canyon in the world, the Capertee Valley (which is one kilometre wider than the Grand Canyon).

Food and wine

Winemaking in the region dates back to the 1850s, with the temperate climate allowing for the slow ripening of grapes, producing robust wines. Some of Mudgee’s top wineries include Lowe Wines, Robert Stein Winery, Huntington Estate, Logan and Robert Oatley Vineyards.

You can visit cellar doors directly, or join a wine tour. The month-long Mudgee Wine and Food Festival in spring is a highlight of the region’s events calendar. Enjoy an assortment of dining options, from cafes and pubs to high-end restaurants like Zin House and Pipeclay Pumphouse.

Things to do

There are plenty of other things to do in the Mudgee region, from kayaking at Dunns Swamp on the edge of Wollemi, to stargazing at the Mudgee Observatory and watching a sunrise above the vineyards in a Balloon Aloft hot-air balloon.

Getting there and where to stay

The Mudgee region is a 3hr 30min drive northwest of Sydney, via the Blue Mountains. Fly Pelican operates direct flights between Sydney and Mudgee six days a week. You can also catch a train and coach service from Sydney and the journey takes around five to six hours.

There are all kinds of accommodation options in the Mudgee region, from caravan parks and motels to boutique hotels, elegant farm stays and winery guesthouses set on sprawling estates all around town. Luxury travellers will love the exclusive glamping experience at Sierra Escape.