Mudgee travel guide, best things to see & do: activities

With over 40 cellar doors what’s the best winery to visit?

This travel guide is leading you to a directory where you can pore over the individual wineries, checking out the latest foodie reviews, consulting with family and friends to decide where to go. . It is guaranteed you will have a great time, guaranteed that you will not be disappointed, in fact it is guaranteed you will have to return as you can’t possibly fit everything in during your initial visit to Mudgee.

Let’s get you going with local advice, no hidden traps to get to a specific destination…

Swirl + Sip scroll for the most current information regarding opening times + services, or visit our Virtual Love Hub here.  You are invited to filter your selection according to

• Cellar door
• Onsite restaurant
• Pet friendly
• Local platters
• Kids activities
• Virtual celebrations
• Breweries and distilleries

Culture & Art

Mudgee Art Galleries, Exhibitions & Artist Studios

Mudgee is foremost considered to be a premier region for wine, vineyards and all things gourmand. The drive from Sydney makes Mudgee accessible to the urban Sydney-sider and with over 40 cellar doors pitched against the landscape of the Australian bush Mudgee is a firm favourite for wine tours.

Yet Mudgee is more than a drink and leisurely lunches in charming vineyards. Mudgee should be an art lovers destination. For collectors of art, visitors who enjoy browsing galleries and exhibitions where up and coming artists showcase their creations Mudgee will  definitely be on your must visit list. The vibrant art community has a natural home in the picturesque quintessential heritage town of Mudgee. There is space, literally to expand studios, you are not faced with exorbitant city rents and, crucially you have potential customers flocking to the area to relax, revive and shop in local stores.

As with all art it is a testament to the dedication of the artist as commercially it is often a tenuous business proposition with opening and closing of galleries on a regular basis. Use as a reference point. The Mudgee local business association’s excellent catalogue of events, shows and exhibitions to scroll through to check who is open and who is not. This travel guide is consulting MUDGEE ARTS & CRAFTS – ART GALLERIES, EXHIBITIONS, WORKSHOPS & ARTIST STUDIOS IN & AROUND MUDGEE GULGONG RYLSTONE KANDOS REGION for up to date information.

Heritage and history

Mudgee’s heritage is visible with the Victorian facades from the Old Bank and Railway Station. Heritage + Museums in Mudgee lists the local museums as well as provides local guided heritage tours.

Scenery, landscapes and regional reserves

Welcome to The Drip, Gorge

The landscape is stunning sandstone undulating walls of folded colours where water drips through the rock faces creating streams flowing into the Goulburn River. Clear spring water flows and seeps through sculptural rock formations laden with ferns, bottlebrushes and weeping grasses. If you are travelling in winter or when there has been heavy rain the track could be slippery and you will feel as though you are walking through a natural shower.

Aboriginal handprints are still visible on rock shelves and crevices which is a historic treasure. There have been people in the area for thousands of years. Sometime to think about while we walk in the footsteps of people before us. Drip Gorge is very important to the Goulburn River as it is a key source of water. There has been considerable debate from environment and community groups concerned about the legacy of Hunter coal mining on the region’s waterways. The balance between coal, employment and the environment can be part of the narrative when you visit Drip Gorge. A debate that continues with passionate viewpoints from many voices.

Facts: best time to visit – December to April

Drip Gorge is a glorious nature focused day trip from Mudgee to an iconic bush setting. What more could we ask for. Australia, magic moments in rural New South Wales.

Part of Goulburn River National Park | Local alerts | NSW National Parks

Picnic tables and pit toilet. Walking track is well sign posted. Prolific bird life provides colour and sound. Due to bushfires wildlife is recovering. A perfect way to while away an afternoon in the New South Wales bush.

Only 45 minutes from Mudgee and worth a detour for visitors planning on a weekend in Mudgee or a visit to the Hunter Valley.

Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp campground | NSW National Parks. Dunns swamp, or Ganguddy as it is known to local Aboriginal people, is a beautiful, serene waterway on the Cudgegong river in Wollemi National Park. The waterway was created when Kandos weir was built in the late 1920s. A great place for a picnic. Set up amid picturesque woodlands of scribbly gum and striking pagoda rock formations and settle in for a truly tranquil getaway. Keen eyes may turn up wallabies, purple swamp hens and, at night, greater gliders. If you’re really lucky, you might glimpse shy long-necked turtles and platypus in the weir.

Ganguddy is perfect for a range of low-key recreational activities, from birdwatching and fishing to canoeing and swimming. You’ll also find a network of easy walks offering expansive views over the Cudgegong river, including Pagoda Lookout walking track.

Parking areas are well set out and clean pit toilets (when we were there). Take your own water supplies and food if staying for a picnic or longer as the local shop/cafe is a long way away.

FernTree Gully

The Reserve is being rehabilitated and will reopen when safe for the general public to access. This is due to bushfire damage. There is an excellent review of the walk Ferntree Gully Reserve by Bob, together with directions on how to get there. There are many walking tracks at Ferntree Gully that take you down into the cool narrow fern-tree studded valley floor, and/or around the top edge of the rocks with amazing views towards the valley and the unusual rock formations on either side.

Putta Bucca Wetlands

Formed from an old quarry the area is a well known bird watchers hot spot. There are two bird hides. There are marked walking tracks.

SHOPPING & RETAIL THERAPY

You are now ready to explore what Mudgee has to offer. For market fans there are regular weekend markets for you to pursue. Scrolling through Visit Mudgee has over 8 Markets  listed. The visitor is not going to be short of choice when it comes to market shopping venues.

Mudgee has a main street showcasing shopping outlets reflecting its Sydney street credentials. Designer clothing, accessories and homeware all for the picking.  Small town shopping never looked so good.

Mudgee Hampers is a must do shopping destination.

A favourite treat, for gift giving,or perhaps tomorrow’s picnic is a visit to Mudgee Hampers. The rustic wooden box, quality curated deli goods from local producers, Vinifera Wines are packed gift boxes that can be couriered to any Australian destination. For a birthday present, a significant occasion Mudgee Hampers solves the problem of what to give. What is better than delicious artisan goods personally selected by yourself ensuring the taste of the recipient is taken into consideration. Here is the range Products – Mudgee Hampers. Irresistible, delicious and you can order online.

To top up the hamper and ensure you will not be hungry another must visit food store is Mudgee Corner Store | A general store with a difference. Olives, artisan breads, cold meat selections to savour over, packed sweet treats and, importantly perhaps the best breakfast in town.

Where to stay: accommodation

Accommodation: a travel guide favourite is Bandalong Cottages. Mudgee NSW | Self Contained Cottage Accommodation on 33 acres which is the recommended accommodation choice for Mudgee visitors. Location is always a plus with three winemaking neighbours making driving redundant,  Burnbrae, Blacklea and Thistle Hill cellar doors. Then there is the very practical, clean lines of Catherine Sykes pottery. Her studio is tucked among the 3 acre property.

Consult Rest Your Head in Mudgee, for camping options, luxury resort spa choices let your fingers do the scrolling while you work out what’s best for your budget. Whether you’re looking for the romance of a country escape, a place to celebrate with friends or a desire to explore our region’s heritage you will find a great range of lodging options, making Mudgee Region the obvious choice for your next getaway. Mudgee is now recognised as an RV (recreational vehicle) friendly region.

Travelpack information

• Mudgee town map
• Mudgee wineries map PDF

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