Mudgee Area

In the beautiful Mudgee wine region of Country NSW enjoy delicious food and wine experiences, explore World Heritage wilderness, and stay in charming heritage towns. You’ll be thrilled with the outdoor adventures too, including bushwalking, kayaking, fishing, skydiving and hot-air ballooning.

The elegant main town of Mudgee is on the banks of meandering Cudgegong River and about 3.5 hours’ drive northwest of Sydney. The rich pastoral history and colonial gold rush west of the Blue Mountains is reflected in the tree-lined heritage streetscapes, perfect for walking and cycling.

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

This spectacular natural beauty is home to the dinosaur tree, the nickname for the Wollemi pine - its evolutionary lineage dates back at least 90 million years. A short drive south of Rylstone is delightful Kandos, a gateway to the second-largest canyon in the world, the breathtaking Capertee Valley.

Winemaking in the region dates back to the 1850s. The temperate climate allows for the slow ripening of grapes, producing wines of intensity, depth and flavour. Some of the premium brands include Lowe Wines, Robert Stein Winery, Huntington Estate, Logan and Robert Oatley Vineyards.

You can visit cellar doors directly or join tours. Another delectable experience is the Mudgee Wine and Food Festival in spring, the main celebration in a marvellous events calendar. Dining options in the region are casual and sophisticated, with moreish cafes, classic pubs and acclaimed restaurants.

You’ll find plenty of other wonderful things to do and see, from kayaking at pretty Dunns Swamp on the edge of Wollemi to stargazing at the Mudgee Observatory and watching a glorious sunrise above the vineyards in a hot-air balloon. Accommodation options in the region suit various budgets.