Guide to Mudgee
This rural town, west of Sydney in the New South Wales Central Tablelands, provides a tasty mix of country charm and epicurean delights, thanks to its flourishing food and wine scene.
By Alissa Jenkins
What the country town of Mudgee lacks in size, it makes up for in the gourmet experiences that have made it a weekend favourite among Sydneysiders. Geographically blessed in the picturesque Cudgegong River Valley, 270 kilometres (168 miles) west of Sydney, this fertile farmland is now the third largest grape-producing region in New South Wales. Just as impressive as the region's wine are the restaurants and the locally produced ingredients that they serve.
Don't miss
- Taste wines at cellar doors
- Enjoy restaurants and local produce
- Explore the beauty of Wollemi National Park
How to get there
Mudgee is almost a four-hour drive west of Sydney through the stunning Blue Mountains. By air it's 45 minutes, and Pelican Airlines operates flights daily. Arrange a hire car for your arrival.
Things to do and top attractions in Mudgee
Lowe Wines, Mudgee, New South Wales © Destination NSW
Indulge in the local wine
The Mudgee region is home to over 35 wineries. Among the big players is Robert Oatley and Lowe Wines. The Logan Wines Tasting Room and Vinifera have great views and incredible wines. Or plan your trip around one of the regular events hosted by Gooree Park Wines, a thoroughbred horse stud as well as Mudgee's biggest vineyard. If you'd rather taste the region's best without leaving town, head to Roth's Wine Bar, which has an extensive wine list, wood-fired pizza and tapas, as well as live music on Friday and Saturday.
Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant, Mudgee, New South Wales © Destination NSW
Enjoy the best restaurants in Mudgee
Wine isn't the only thing that Mudgee has a talent for producing. The Zin House, set among the organic vineyards of Lowe Wines, serves an unmissable six-course weekend lunch menu featuring all manner of delights grown on site. Expect a warm atmosphere, no-fuss platters and a healthy dose of delicious fare. Alby & Esthers offers healthy comfort food and a range of cooking classes. The Wineglass restaurant is something of a local institution, set in a repurposed historic shed that once housed coaches and horses. Expect fresh local ingredients and an ever-changing seasonal menu. Part of the Robert Stein Winery, Pipeclay Pumphouse is all about paddock-to-plate food, with just about everything homegrown or locally sourced.
Farmers Market, Mudgee, New South Wales © Amber Hooper
Sample local delights at the farmers markets
It wouldn’t be a trip to country New South Wales without exploring the local Farmers Market, which takes place on the third Saturday of every month. Order a bacon and egg roll for breakfast from one of the stalls and peruse the tasty delights on display that have undoubtedly been grown, reared, caught, brewed, baked or bottled within the Mudgee region. Keep an eye out for addictive Spencer Cocoa Chocolate and High Valley’s artisan cheeses. Crave Natural stocks seriously delicious jarred fermented foods and kombucha for a tasty keepsake to take home.
Bubbletent Australia, Capertree Valley, New South Wales © Destination NSW
Stay in Mudgee's best accommodation
With more travellers becoming aware of Mudgee's gourmet offerings, boutique accommodation is on the rise. For boutique luxury and quaint accommodation, check out Elouera Mudgee, Perry Street Hotel, and The Cobb and Co Court Boutique Hotel, which offers a charming hideaway in the centre of town. The most indulgent stay is Horizon Mudgee, with uninterrupted views of the undulating countryside. The secluded holiday house comes with its own library, fireplaces, a pool and even a helipad. For a night under the stars, choose from Mudgee's luxury glamping, Sierra Escapes, or the odd but amazing Bubbletent, transparent tents that give you always-stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Glow Worm Tunnel, Wollemi National Park, New South Wales © Tourism Australia
Explore Wollemi National Park
As the western fringes of Wollemi National Park border Mudgee, make a day of hiking one of the many trails that weave through this 500,000 hectare (1930 square mile) wilderness. Expect impressive sandstone canyons, tiered rock formations, waterways, more than 150 native bird species and significant Aboriginal rock art sites. Keep a look out for the Wollemi pine, one of the world’s oldest and rarest plants. Don't forget to bring a torch if you embark on the Glow Worm Tunnel walking track, where you'll see hundreds of tiny worms glow bright blue.
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