
Mudgee & surrounds
Mudgee Balloon Festival. Credit: Andrew Cooney
It’s all about wine in Mudgee, a viticultural hotspot in the state’s Central West. But where there’s great wine, there follows brilliant food, amazing artisanal produce and lush accommodation. Toss in picture-postcard country landscapes, wide-open spaces and friendly locals, and it’s easy to see why the region will have you coming back for more.
The elegant town of Mudgee is on the banks of the Cudgegong River. Its rich pastoral history and colonial gold rush era are 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.
Gooree Park, Galambine
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 1km wider than the Grand Canyon).
De Beaurepaire Wines, Rylstone
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 The Zin House and Pipeclay Pumphouse.
Rosby Wines & Guesthouse, Eurunderee
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.
Dunns Swamp, Wollemi National Park
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 5 to 6 hrs.
Meet winemakers Will Gilbert from Gilbert Wines and David Lowe from Lowe Wines, who share what they love about the region.
All the insider news, tips and inspiration you need to plan your next trip, delivered straight to your inbox.
Sign UpVisitNSW.com is the official tourism site for Destination NSW.
© Copyright 2022 Destination NSW. All rights reserved