Think rustic charm, rolling green hills and a cellar door selection to please. If Mudgee isn’t high on your list of weekend getaways, it certainly should be.
This colonial country town, four hours north-west of Sydney is a perfect springtime getaway. Check out our top 5 Mudgee attractions below:
The wine
With more than 40 cellar doors, it would almost be sinister to come to Mudgee and not experience any of the regional wine. The diverse, yet equally delicious varieties are scattered all throughout the Mudgee region, and the origins of each winery are as rich as the wine itself. Huntington Escape, Di Lusso, and Logan are just three of our favourites.
There are plenty of Mudgee wine tours and field days, departing every day for a full or half day of fun among the vines.
Church Market
Held on the first Saturday of each month, you’ll find the Church Markets in the grounds of St John’s Anglican Church from 9am-1pm. The local produce is a must buy with organic veggies of all colours, freshly made bread and cheeses, olive oils, arts and crafts, handmade textiles and all sorts of wonderful knick-knacks one would expect at a farmers’ market.
From Melbourne?
Melbournians should also consider a road trip up to Mudgee. Pick up your roadie cruiser from any of the Melbourne metro locations, or beyond that, SIXT have car hire locations all throughout Victoria. The entire trip takes around 10 hours, or you can take the journey over a few days, stopping in quaint towns like Albury, Wangaratta or Bathurst.
The fare
It’s not hard to find delectable fare locally sourced in Mudgee. The variety of cafes, restaurants, and gastro-pubs is all too enticing but for the purpose of not turning this post into a foodie centric one, we’ll just pick one unmissable event occurring this spring: Food over Fire. Every Saturday until 29 September, Pip Sumbak of Cellar by Gilbert is showcasing all the versatility of Mudgee’s seasonal produce through a four-course immersive dining experience. Learn all about the regional ingredients and enjoy one truly long lunch.
Gold foraging
Because Ballarat isn’t the only town with a rich history in gold. The 19th Century gold rush brought much prosperity to Mudgee and surrounding regions, which explains the grandiose historic buildings and gorgeous cottages that line the streets in town (now converted to getaway cottages).
In fact, the largest single mass gold nugget (290 kg) was found right in Hill End, and you can still try your luck and pan for gold there, as well as Gulgong, Sofala and Windeyer. Mudgee Visitor Centre will happily guide you in your quest for gold, and there are many places to hire the right equipment and tools. Strike it gold and you can treat yourself to one of our luxury models.
Wollemi National Park
Kayak, cycle or hike through this beautiful and pristine national park for a truly unforgettable experience. And for the real outdoorsy types, why not sleep among the stars for some Mudgee camping. The park holds great historical significance, dating back to the Wiradjuri people and the first European settlement. Explore the natural beauty of the park and the Cudgegong River, and enjoy discovering nature at its best.
Mudgee offers a relaxing change of pace with its’ all encompassing beauty and community activities. Book your SIXT car rental to explore Mudgee at your own speed. Looking to cruise around in style? Why not hire a car from our luxury car range? You’ll turn a few heads in one of our Mercedes or BMW’s.