A Weekend Guide to Mudgee, NSW
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Mudgee. Is it the new Hunter Valley?
Well, no. It’s easy to compare the two main wine regions within a short drive from Sydney, but Mudgee stands out in a class of its own. After visiting on a recent trip away with a few girlfriends (and one four-legged friend), I can say I really fell for Mudgee.
Although I’d heard of Mudgee before, I can’t say I knew too much about it until we planned our trip. So, to help others, here’s my guide covering what to do in Mudgee.
Do you like cheese? Drinking wine? Campfires, cellar doors, relaxing, and gorgeous landscapes? If so, check out Mudgee- it could be just what you need.
How to Get to Mudgee from Sydney
Mudgee is an easy drive from Sydney- about three and a half to four hours by car, depending on traffic and where you’re coming from.
Where is Mudgee? It’s about 260km from Sydney, set in the Mid-Western Regional Council. In simple terms, it’s past the Great Dividing Range, on the other side of the Blue Mountains– think northwest from Sydney.
The best way to get there and get around is by having your own car. Driving is helpful not just for getting to Mudgee quickly, but it’s also handy for getting around while you’re there. However, note that the drive (like many regional and country roads) can be very dark at night, so you may feel more comfortable arriving in the daytime.
If you’re arriving by public transport, there is a train station in town. This is where the bus leaves from- yes, this is confusing as the train station no longer operates- it’s now the bus depot. If you’re coming from Sydney, you’ll take Sydney Trains to the end of the line, Lithgow, then pick up a coach for the rest of the journey. Mudgee has two bus stops in town- both at the train station and in town, so double-check your ticket to make sure you end up in the right place.
What to Do in Mudgee
Mudgee is all about the good life- produce, food, wine, and relaxing. There’s plenty of bushwalks and adventure to be found, but most people come to the area to enjoy the rolling hills, eat their weight in cheese, and enjoy a drop of red by the fire. At least, that’s why I went!
Here’s a few of my highlights from the region. We visited in winter, which was a fantastic time, thanks to the cool days and crisp nights, best enjoyed by the fireplace. I’m sure it would be lovely in the summer as well, but be prepared for hot, dry days- drink lots of water if you’re heading out on a wine tasting!
Mudgee Wineries
Mudgee, NSW is one of the best wine regions in the state. There are over 35 cellar doors in the region, so you could literally spend days trying them all.
Don’t worry, I’ve done some of the hard work for you.
The wineries are all fairly nearby, but they’re most quickly reached by car (or maybe bicycle). However, no one likes to have to be the designated driver on a wine tasting, so a great way to safely visit the wineries is on a guided tour. This way, you visit some of the top wineries, along with a driver who acts as your guide.
We went for this option and spent the day with Mudgee Wine Tours. On the tour, you’ll visit six wineries, and it’s the best way to get a taste for the region-pardon the pun. They provided water, snacks, and hotel pick-ups and drop-offs, making it an easy way to see everything.
Some of the best wineries in Mudgee (in my humble opinion), include:
1838
The Olive Nest and 1838 Wines is a perfect stop for olives, olive oil, and wines-what’s not to like? Actually, I’m not the world’s biggest olive fan, but I could probably live on olive oil and wine, so two out of three isn’t bad.
Like most Mudgee wineries, 1838 is incredibly scenic and picturesque, especially on a sunny day. Plus, with wine names like ‘Dancing Wombat Moscato’, it’s hard to go wrong.
Petersons of Mudgee
Petersons has been producing wine in the region since 1971 and also has a few cellar doors in the popular Hunter Valley. Relax on their huge, wraparound front porch, sample some wines, and stare off into the vineyards.
Pieter van Gent
This winery was fantastic, but note they do charge a small fee for tastings, while most of the wineries offer them as complimentary.
However, van Gent is still worth visiting for their oak interior, lined with wine barrels and low lighting- there’s also a small museum to check out. The Mudgee region is known for its white port, and you can find one of the best here. There’s also a pink port to try, if that tickles your fancy.
Eloquesta
Eloquesta is a top spot not only for wines, but also to stop for lunch. Baked brie, cheese boards galore, and plenty of meats and bread make for a delicious and filling lunch during a day of wine tasting.
There’s also plenty of ducks, birds, and animals on the property, which I imagine would be fun for kids.
Baker Williams Distillery
Baker Williams was one of my favorite wineries of the trip, although it’s technically a distillery (meaning they make spirits). They’re doing really creative stuff, especially when it comes to using native Australian ingredients.
Their gins are very popular, but for me, their standout was the Lemon Myrtle Liqueur- still regretting not taking home a bottle, as it would be perfect on its own or on top of ice cream or a dessert.
Cheese, Cheese, Cheese
If you’re into cheese, you’ve come to the right place. Local cheeses are a specialty of the area, especially brie and feta.
The best place to check them out is at the High Valley Cheese Co, which produces an award-winning range of cheeses and flavored fetas. We picked up a pesto feta that went perfectly in pasta later that night.
They offer free cheese tastings and you don’t need to book in advance. Plus, like the wineries above, it’s dog-friendly, as long as you stay outside.
Ready for Some Honey, Honey?
Mudgee is also a top producer of honey, so check out Mudgee Honey Haven for all things sweet. There’s a great cafe on the premises and plenty of honey products and homewares. However, take note before purchasing as some of the honey products aren’t made from local honey. I prefer to shop local when it comes to buying produce and goods, so it’s disappointing that not all the honey products are made on-site. But, it may just not be possible.
Try out their honey ice cream and meads (honey liqueur). It’s definitely worth popping into for a browse and a coffee.
Wine is great, but how about craft beer? Here are the best breweries in Sydney.
Mudgee Farmers’ Market
If you’re in Mudgee on the third Saturday morning of the month, you’re in luck- the Farmers’ Market is on. It’s held outside in Robertson Park and is easy to walk to from town, or there’s plenty of parking.
While not the largest of markets, it’s still a fun way to support local businesses. You’ll find handmade soaps, coffee and baked goods, bread, candles, and maybe some wines to try.
Browse the Boutique Shops
There’s plenty of cute homewares, decor, and clothing shops to check out in town, along with a few vintage and antique shops. They’re not for everyone, I know, but I can never resist a stroll down the main streets of a town, window shopping as I go.
Where to Eat and Drink in Mudgee
Being a food and wine destination, it’s no surprise that there’s plenty of great places in town to explore. Here are some of the best.
Roth’s Wine Bar
One of the coolest (and oldest) places in town is Roth’s Wine Bar. Established in 1923, they have the oldest wine bar license in all of NSW. It’s a beautiful terrace home converted into a wine bar and restaurant. Plus, it’s the best spot in town to find more of the wines you tried while you were on the wine tasting tour.
The food is impressive as well, but the historical ambiance and live music make it an easy sell.
Pub Grub
If you’re looking for a cold pint or a reliable pub meal, there’s quite a few in Mudgee. Check out the Paragon Hotel, the Oriental Hotel, and the Woolpack.
In terms of nightlife, Kelly’s Irish Pub seemed to be a popular choice.
Eltons
This is another spot I didn’t visit personally, but it was recommended by a few friends, so it merits inclusion. Eltons is a craft beer and tapas-style bar-elegant and right in the center of town. Check it out and let me know what you think!
With most restaurants in Mudgee, it’s helpful to make reservations in advance. The area continues to grow in popularity, so restaurants can get busy-especially on weekends.
Looking for more places to explore in NSW?
Dog-Friendly Mudgee
Is Mudgee dog-friendly? I’d say so! 2020 brought a small pup into my life, and the trip to Mudgee was her first weekend away.
Almost all the wineries and some of the pubs were fine with dogs, as long as you stayed outside and the dog was well-behaved and on a leash.
I can’t speak for hotels, but we stayed at an Airbnb, Odd Frog Lodges, outside of Mudgee, in a town called Lue. It was on a working farm and really fantastic, with plenty of land where your dog can run around. There’s also a fire pit and epic scenery- waking up early and heading outside to see kangaroos and wallabies grazing in the vineyards from your front porch is something special.
It was a little bit rustic, the shower was literally in the kitchen and the toilet is outside, down a set of stairs. Why not? It was a lot of fun, affordable, and very dog-friendly- would recommend it for a group of friends or a family, but maybe not for a romantic weekend away (it’s all bunk beds). Oh, and there’s also a cave somewhere on the property! If you find it, let me know- it’s harder than you might think to find.
There are also plenty of spacious, shaded parks in and around Mudgee where dogs can run around, making it a great town for dogs of any size.
There’s certainly more to see and do in Mudgee than what I’ve included, but the above were some of the highlights for me that you may enjoy too!
Mudgee and the area is full of seriously cool Airbnbs, so hope to go back soon and explore more!
Looking for more unique places to visit in NSW?
Have you been to Mudgee? If so, I would love to hear some of your recommendations!
Note: I visited Mudgee as a full-paying member of the public. All opinions are my own.
Please note, I am an Airbnb Associate, so I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
