Streetscape, MudgeeCredit: Destination NSW
Sunrise over Market Street, Mudgee.
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Located 3.5 hours northwest of Sydney, Mudgee is a picturesque region of New South Wales renowned for incredible food and wine, and recently claimed the Gold Medal as Australia's Top Tourism Town in the 2021 Australian Top Tourism Awards. Book a trip to the award-winning town today and explore the sublime surroundings, luxury lodgings and untouched wilderness.
Where to eat
Cherries, figs, olives, stone fruit, lemons — there’s not much that doesn’t grow well in Mudgee. The region is also acclaimed for its free-range pork and honey, among other bountiful produce, as you’ll fast discover at the Mudgee Farmers’ Market, held on the third Saturday of every month. Want to explore on a deeper level? The following Sunday morning after the markets there are guided tours offered around some of the region’s farms. The other place to begin your day is Alby & Esthers, a café, hidden in an ivy-clad 1873 building away down an alley in the centre of town, serving home-baked pastries and sensational coffee.
Open for lunch only is the tiny 29Nine99 restaurant in Rylstone, 45 minutes outside of Mudgee — it’s worth the detour. Owner Na Lan is an artist from Xian, China, who began making yum cha for friends before opening her restaurant. Today, there are dozens of varieties of dumplings, steamed buns and desserts to try, as well as a gallery and shop to peruse post-meal.
When it comes to fine dining, it’s hard to go past Pipeclay Pumphouse, a 15-minute drive from Mudgee at Robert Stein Winery, for a special-occasion meal. Six-course degustations celebrate the land that surrounds, with simple cooking techniques accentuating the freshness of produce.
Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant, Mudgee Credit: Destination NSW
Table with scenic views available for dinner service at the Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant, Mudgee.
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Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant, Mudgee Credit: Destination NSW
Table with scenic views available for dinner service at the Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant, Mudgee.
The Zin House, Eurunderee Credit: Destination NSW
Chef Kim Currie at her restaurant The Zin House in Eurunderee, near Mudgee.
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The Zin House, Eurunderee Credit: Destination NSW
Chef Kim Currie at her restaurant The Zin House in Eurunderee, near Mudgee.
Where to drink
Mudgee is a major grape-growing region in the state, and there are more than 40 cellar doors to choose from when it comes to sampling the pressed produce. Red wine varietals dominate, with cabernet sauvignon the hero alongside shiraz and merlot. But there are also standout whites to sip, including chardonnay, semillon, sauvignon blanc, verdelho and traminer.
Get a feel for the range at Logan Wines, which has a striking glass tasting room that looks directly out over its vineyards. Find a windowside perch and enjoy a glass of Ridge of Tears Shiraz (just one of the labels the brand is known for) and a platter of local cheeses.
At Lowe Family Wines Co, tastings can take place on the lawn under the shade of wisteria trees, and owner and winemaker David Lowe will often come out to join you for a drink. The vineyard and winery are fully organic, and specialise in small-batch winemaking. If you can’t tear away, head to the on-site Zin House restaurant for a farm-to-table meal.
Other top wineries include First Ridge, with a cellar door made entirely of repurposed shipping containers; Moothi Estate, a boutique family-run property; scenic Huntington Estate, which also produces craft beers; Bunnamagoo Estate Wines, where you can enjoy a picnic on the lawns; and the tiny Short Sheep Micro-Winery, which produces just 1,500 cases a year.
If you prefer beer, sample some of the tipples on offer at the Mudgee Brewing Company, inside a historic red-brick former wool store in the centre of town.
Logan Wines, Apple Tree Flat Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying wine with scenic views across Logan Wines vineyard in Apple Tree Flat near Mudgee.
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Logan Wines, Apple Tree Flat Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying wine with scenic views across Logan Wines vineyard in Apple Tree Flat near Mudgee.
Lowe Wines, Mudgee Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to Lowe Wines, Mudgee.
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Lowe Wines, Mudgee Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to Lowe Wines, Mudgee.
Where to play
If you want to alternate between indulgence and adventure, Mudgee is the place to do it. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wollemi National Park is 120km southeast of town and is home to Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp, a tranquil waterway surrounded by bushland and sandstone rock formations. It’s a scenic spot for camping, fishing, canoeing and swimming, and is webbed by walking trails should you wish to stretch your legs. Keep an eye out for long-necked turtles and elusive platypuses.
Around 80km northeast in Goulburn River National Park is The Drip hiking track. The pretty 2.8km return trail takes you to The Drip Gorge, where a 35m sandstone wall trinkles clear spring water into shady pools below. The area is always lush and cool, even in the middle of summer, with native apple gums, tree violets, orchids and moss.
Where to shop
The streets of Mudgee are dotted with independent boutiques selling handpicked homewares, clothing, jewellery and accessories. Explore the offerings on the Shop Like a Local trail, which spotlights businesses that have put an emphasis on supporting the community’s artisans and makers.
Dunns Swamp, Rylstone Credit: NSW National Parks & Wildlife
Dunns Swamp in Wollemi National Park, near Rylstone.
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Dunns Swamp, Rylstone Credit: NSW National Parks & Wildlife
Dunns Swamp in Wollemi National Park, near Rylstone.
Where to stay
Built within the 1862 Mechanics Institute, Perry Street Hotel’s 13 individually designed suites are as stylish as they are sustainable, some kitted out with private balconies and patios, while all have a kitchenette and designer furnishings.
A couple of blocks away is The Parkview Hotel, set inside another historic building dating back to 1870. The seven suites have period features — think restored fireplaces and intricate chandeliers –and a large open verandah is available for communal guest use.
Deep in Mudgee wine country, Sierra Escape is the place to go when you want to escape from the world in luxury glamping tents. The spacious accommodations here come with all the trimmings, from wooden floors and plush beds to freestanding outdoor bathtubs, for soaking up country views.
Luxury farm stay Peppertree Hill is also surrounded by Mudgee’s wineries. It offers 10 cottages and a homestead, each individual in design. The Woolshed sleeps six, its modern amenities complemented by preserved original flourishes.
Sierra Escape, Piambong Credit: Guy Williment
Woman enjoying the firepit while watching the sunrise from the Uralla Tent at Sierra Escape, Piambong.
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Sierra Escape, Piambong Credit: Guy Williment
Woman enjoying the firepit while watching the sunrise from the Uralla Tent at Sierra Escape, Piambong.
Parkview Hotel, Mudgee Credit: Destination NSW
Boutique country suite in the historic Parkview Hotel, Mudgee.
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Parkview Hotel, Mudgee Credit: Destination NSW
Boutique country suite in the historic Parkview Hotel, Mudgee.
More Inspirational Stories
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, CorowaCredit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa.
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Feast on the riches of one of Australia’s most important food bowls on a road trip through the Murray, named after the mighty river that flows through this southwest area of New South Wales. Float down the river on a historic paddlesteamer wine cruise, stop by farm gates to sample incredible fresh produce, and dine at chic restaurants and bars in this unique culinary playground.
Take the back roads for gourmet treats
Head off the beaten path along The Backroads Trail, a 250km driving route that passes through the small pastoral towns of Barham, Moama, Mathoura and Deniliquin on the upper reaches of the Murray River. Sink your teeth into fresh olives, avocados, free-range pork, honey and citrus fruit from farm gates along its loops and trails, and taste the region’s wines at vineyards such as Restdown Wines. While you’re at this winery, venture out along the Restdown Wetland Walk to encounter Aboriginal cooking hearths and an old sheep camp.
Cruise along to The Old School Winery & Meadery in Womboota to pick up wine, pottery and honey mead. Or seek out Ivy Joyce in Barham to indulge in a warm space, offering local produce from farms for a truly paddock to plate experience in the heart of Murray River country. For more snacks and meaty fare such as British-style pork pies and sausages, head to Pacdon Park’s factory shop in Moama.
You can work up an appetite as you build your own itinerary on the theme of food, paddocks and produce, and find suggested routes and maps to Murray River farm gates, at the Echuca Moama Visitor Centre.
Wine and dine along the river
Embark on a wine tour by water in Moama, where the first steamboats made their way up the Murray in 1853. Take a Murray River Paddlesteamers Wharf to Winery Cruise from the town to Morrisons Riverview Winery for a leisurely lunch. Or drive along the river, stopping in at Three Black Sheep for risotto and woodfired pizzas, and tasting crisp dry whites and full-flavoured reds at St Anne’s Vineyards, where you can nibble on a cheese platter overlooking a scenic lake.
Head east along the riverside roads to rest and recharge in the town of Tocumwal, known for its riverside beaches, golf courses, glider flying and iconic Big Murray Cod statue. Start the following day with a solid foundation of breakfast pizza (topped with bacon, eggs and a hash brown) at The Old Bank and indulge in a scoop of ice-cream or sorbet from Tocumwal Ice Creamery – flavours include rocky road, green apple or macadamia. If you’re in town on a Saturday, pick up honey, fruit, vegetables, olive oil, dressings and other condiments made by local producers at the Tocumwal Foreshore Markets.
Continue your odyssey along the river to Corowa, the birthplace of Australian Federation. Immerse in the town’s rich turn-of-the-20th-century colonial heritage as you make your way to the former 1920s flour mill housing Corowa Distilling Co. Here you can book a whisky tasting and behind-the-scenes tour and buy locally made chocolates and sweets from sister shop Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory. Work off an indulgent afternoon with a walk along the river before settling into the stylish Circa 1936 hotel, which is housed in an Art Deco former bank on the main street of Corowa.
Celebrate regional ingredients in Albury
From Corowa, follow the Riverina Highway eastward to the city of Albury, a food, wine and culture hub. Taste how seasonality and locality are expressed at The Proprietor, a former butcher shop turned cafe offering brunch treats such as fruit toast with Beechworth honey and whipped ricotta, and banana waffles with Gundowring vanilla ice-cream. Or try the all-day breakfast offering at Mr Benedict, from cheesy bacon waffle with popcorn chicken to one of its signature eggs benedicts, including one with cider-braised ham hock.
At The River Deck restaurant, local ingredients are celebrated alongside stunning river views, and dishes may include chicken Caesar salad with Milawa eggs or beef brisket braised in coffee by Albury roaster The Brothers Cup. At tiny and elegant Bistro Selle, complement warm Gooramadda olives with a buttery Australian chardonnay and fresh market fish. Yardbird offers a bold-flavoured menu featuring dishes like scorched Albacore tuna, along with meats grilled in a Spanish woodfired oven.
In between meals, stroll along the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk and take in the contemporary artworks by Aboriginal artists that line the Wagirra Trail. Meander through the Murray Art Museum Albury’s contemporary photographic collection, Aboriginal art and works by renowned Australian artist Sir Russell Drysdale. Afterwards, order lunch or dinner at the museum’s excellent Canvas Eatery – try the saltbush lamb rump or one of their Neapolitan-style pizzas.
The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota Credit: Destination NSW
Couple taste tasting mead at The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota
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The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota Credit: Destination NSW
Couple taste tasting mead at The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota
Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available from Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama.
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Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available from Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama.
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa Credit: Destination NSW
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate located in a 1920âs old flour mill in Corowa.
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Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa Credit: Destination NSW
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate located in a 1920âs old flour mill in Corowa.
Canvas Eatery, Albury Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available at Canvas Eatery in Albury.
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Canvas Eatery, Albury Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available at Canvas Eatery in Albury.