Mudgee

Things to do 

There’s plenty to do in and around Mudgee, from winery tours and boutique shopping to exploring World Heritage wilderness. Create your own self-guided tour on The Mudgee Hopper or view the picturesque region from above on a hot air balloon ride with Balloon Aloft. 

Balloon Aloft Hot Air Ballooning, Mudgee

Stroll along Mudgee’s elegant tree-lined streets on the Heritage Walking Tour and discover its beautifully preserved colonial buildings, including the Mudgee Post Office designed by architect Alexander Dawson in 1862. Stop by the Mudgee Museum to see its vast collection of artefacts and Mudgee memorabilia. 

Sunrise over Market Street, Mudgee 

Mudgee is also renowned for its vibrant arts and culture. Visit the state-of-the-art Mudgee Arts Precinct, Australia’s newest regional gallery, and see exciting contemporary exhibitions. Stop by Brett Niven Ceramics, a working studio and shop in the heart of Mudgee. Don’t miss the Sculptures in the Garden, now in its 12th year. 

Sculptures In The Garden, Rosby Estate, Mudgee - Credit: Amber Hooper 

Food & wine 

You’ll find delicious food and wine at top vineyard restaurants like Pipeclay Pumphouse and The Zin House, cool wine bars such as Roth's Wine Bar and lovely cafes like Alby & Esther’s tucked down an historic cobblestone laneway. For locally made craft beers, head to The Mudgee Brewing Co.

The Zin House, Eurunderee

Be sure to check out the annual Mudgee Wine and Food Month, a culinary celebration in spring. Pick up farm fresh produce from the Mudgee region at the Mudgee Fine Foods Farmers’ Market, held on the third Saturday of the month in the grounds of St Mary’s. 

Mudgee Food + Wine Festival, Mudgee 

Wineries & cellar doors 

Taste award-winning local drops at wineries and cellar doors throughout the region, such as the signature shiraz at renowned Logan Wines and Robert Stein Winery. Take a wine tour and meet the winemakers at Lowe Wines or enjoy a delicious taste of Tuscany at di Lusso Estate.  

Lowe Wines tasting room, Mudgee 

Family-owned and run Slow Fox Wines produces superb small-batch wines, handpicked and handmade, while Thistle Hill Wines have been making organic local wines for over 40 years. Visit the quirky red cellar door at First Ridge Wines, who specialise in Italian varietals. 

First Ridge Wines, Burrundulla

Natural wonders 

East of Mudgee, you’ll find Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp on the Cudgerong River, a popular spot for camping, bushwalking and kayaking, in the World Heritage-listed Wollemi National Park. North, the Drip Gorge walking track meanders along the Goulburn River to the ‘Great Dripping Wall’, where rainwater trickles through the sandstone wall. 

Sunset at Wollemi National Park, Mudgee

Mudgee’s clear night skies are a bonus for stargazers. A short drive from the town centre is the Mudgee Observatory, where you can see the Milky Way galaxy up close through a range of telescopes. There are night and day tours, as well as a theatre and flat screen planetarium.  

Sierra Escape, Piambong - Credit: Guy Williment

Where to stay 

You’ll find lovely places to stay all around the Mudgee countryside, as well as in the town centre, from bed and breakfasts and farm stays to luxury cabins and tiny houses. Enjoy an outdoor bath with a view at Sierra Escape, or glamp in style at Glenayr Farm. If you want to stay within the town centre, Perry Street Hotel is a charming spot, featuring 13 suites housed within the historic 1862 Mechanics Institute. 

Enjoy watching the sunset in a wood fired hot tub at Glenayr Farm, Mudgee - Credit: https://www.instagram.com/davesyd_/

Getting there  

Mudgee is a 3h 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.