Embrace an enriching combination of captivating countryside, memorable wining and dining experiences, indulgent luxury stays and a rich colonial history in Mudgee, a 3.5-hour drive from Sydney in the Central West of New South Wales. Make your own adventure as you roam the rolling hills surrounding this charming, historic town, sampling fine wines, breathing in fresh country air and savouring a taste of rural life.

See Mudgee from a new angle

Step back into Mudgee’s rich past simply by strolling through the main streets of this pretty town. Admire storied buildings such as the Mudgee Post Office — built in 1862, it was one of the state’s first major country post offices; while the red-brick clock tower at the top end of Market Street is a war memorial dedicated to those who served and fell in World War II. Seek out Cobb & Co Court Boutique Hotel, which was built in the 1850s on Market Street, and imagine the scenes when it served as an overnight refuge for the Cobb & Co coaches that provided early transport in the region.

Be inspired as you admire works by regional artists at Mudgee Arts Precinct, also on Market Street, or wander through Lawson Park, on the banks of the Cudgegong River, to be stirred by a sculpture walk featuring a permanent display of work from local and visiting creatives. The collection is added to each year following the annual Sculptures in the Garden competition, which is held in October within the beautiful grounds of Rosby Wines & Guesthouse.

Hire an e-bike from Ezyride Mudgee and take an exhilarating ride to Flirtation Hill Lookout to see Mudgee from a fresh perspective. Soak up the panoramic views of the precinct from a spot that was once a favoured destination for couples before cruising back down with the wind in your hair. Or be wowed by a truly spectacular local experience on a hot-air-balloon flight with Balloon Aloft. Soar 600m into the sky as the sun rises, for an hour of soaking up heart-stealing views of rural scenery before descending for a delicious gourmet breakfast and a celebratory glass of bubbly.

Create your own wine trail

Embark on a journey of discovery as you tour Mudgee’s vineyards, with the region home to more than 40 wineries producing vintages with a remarkable intensity of flavour. Steep in history as you learn that Mudgee has played a significant role in the Australian wine story, with the first vines planted in 1858.

Start your odyssey at Gilbert Family Wines, a family-owned winery run by fifth-generation winemaker Simon Gilbert and his son Will, both of whom are passionate about fine wine, heritage and local produce. Sip current and museum-release wines, snack on grazing boards and join a wine masterclass at The Cellar by Gilbert, the winery’s tasting room.

Savour wines grown in soil mirroring the terroir of Burgundy at De Beaurepaire Wines, a single-estate vineyard near Rylstone. Feel your body relax as you take in sweeping views of the vineyards as you sample French-style wines at the historic cellar door in 170-year-old stables.

Be equally inspired by the stunning glass-box tasting room perched on the side of a hill as the tempranillo and rosé at Logan Wines, where you can tuck into fine wines, cheese and antipasto plates with uninterrupted views across the vineyard.

Or get into the spirt at Baker Williams Distillery, where handcrafted spirits and liqueurs focus on regional flavours and influences. Book a tasting led by passionate distillery staff and discover how the likes of native lemon myrtle and local oranges translate into delicious tipples.

Ready your appetite

A number of Mudgee wineries have excellent restaurants where you can recharge over a leisurely lunch or dinner. Taste for yourself how the region’s warm days and cool nights combine to produce robust wines at family-run Robert Stein Winery, Vineyard & Farm before settling in for sublime seasonal local dishes at its fine-dining Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant.

Delight in sampling Mudgee’s newest culinary offering at MillBrie, where café culture meets fine-dining. Pop in for a refined yet unfussy breakfast or treat your tastebuds to a cutting-edge contemporary lunch that could begin with a delicate venison carpaccio with pear and hazelnut followed by aromatic spiced duck with beetroot and blueberry.

There’s more foodie joy to be sparked at recently opened The Barn at Blue Wren Farm, a venue transformed by owners Sophie and Nick Storey into a relaxed dining experience where the menu is guided by sustainability and seasonally available produce. Or indulge in delicious, ethical fare at Zin House, an organic and biodynamic restaurant featuring extensive kitchen gardens and orchards surrounded by farmland at Lowe Family Wine Co., a 15-minute drive out of town.

Be sure to seek out Eltons, a chic bar and restaurant housed in a former pharmacy for shared plates and an impressive wine list, and sample your way around the region at Roth’s Wine Bar and Cellar while quaffing woodfired pizza and tapas.

Start your next day with pastries and espresso from the Lowe Family Wine Co.’s Althea by Zin boulangerie and patisserie on Church Street on the fringe of the town centre, or while away the morning with artisan coffee and tasty jaffles in a leafy courtyard at the centrally located Alby & Esthers.

Recharge in luxury

Keep your finger firmly on the pulse of the town by staying at Perry Street Hotel, where the two-storey 1862 Mechanic Institute building has been transformed into a luxury hotel with 13 stunning suites just a stone’s throw from Mudgee’s dining and shopping precinct.

Although just minutes from the centre of Mudgee, Evanslea feels a world away, with its tranquil riverside setting inviting you to relax and recharge. Built in the 1860s, the main house sleeps eight, with four one-bedroom cottages providing you with a cosy escape with your loved one. Rejuvenate and revitalise with an in-room massage or a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, or opt for a private wine-tasting experience.

Revel in the romance of a getaway to Evamor Valley, set on a scenic, 34-hectare farm alongside the Cudgegong River, where luxuriously furnished glamping tents come with a plush king bed and a private hot tub with room for two. Relax after a day exploring the region with a glass of your favourite local wine by the fire pit, then cook up a satisfying feast on your private barbecue deck.

Immerse in similarly beautiful natural surroundings while luxuriating in comfort in a five-star tent at Sierra Escape, a 20-minute drive out of town. Take your pick from five spacious glamping huts with wooden floors, huge comfy beds, indoor and outdoor bathtubs and fire pits.

Envelop yourself in seclusion in one of the four luxury cabins at Kundalini Lodge, set on 10 hectares and surrounded by rolling hills, deep valleys and beautiful views a 25-minute drive out of town. Renew your romance in the one-bedroom Celestine and Rose Quartz cabins, which both have bathtubs set on outdoor decks, or Amethyst, which has an outdoor spa. Or toast the dazzling night sky with up to five of your nearest and dearest during a stay at two-bedroom Sunstone, the property’s newest cabin.

Combine wine tasting with a romantic getaway just steps away from the Burnbrae Wines Cellar Door in the charming two-bedroom Winemaker’s Cottage, which was the Burnbrae winemaking family’s home in the 1960s before it was carefully restored in country minimalist style. Or cosy up together at the Shed by Zin, a boutique studio for two below the Zin House.