Mudgee Area

From gourmet discoveries and gold rush heritage to charming towns and UNESCO World Heritage wilderness, the Mudgee wine region in Country NSW has it all. Enjoy delicious food and wine experiences, as well as great outdoor adventures such as bushwalking, ballooning and fishing.

The elegant town of Mudgee is on the banks of the meandering Cudgegong River, a 3h 30min drive northwest of Sydney, via the Blue Mountains. The area’s rich pastoral history and colonial gold rush era is reflected in the tree-lined heritage streetscapes, perfect for walking and cycling.

A short drive north is Gulgong, a colonial goldmining town that’s home to about 130 heritage-listed buildings, including Australia’s oldest operating opera house. A scenic drive southeast of Mudgee is delightful Rylstone, the gateway to the World Heritage-listed Wollemi National Park.

This spectacular natural beauty is home to the rare and endangered Wollemi pine, nicknamed the dinosaur tree because its prehistoric lineage. A short drive south of Rylstone is Kandos, a gateway to the second-largest canyon in the world, the breathtaking Capertee Valley.

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 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, with welcoming cafes, pubs and award-winning restaurants.

There’s plenty of other wonderful 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. Accommodation options suit various budgets.