Mudgee

Australia

Mudgee is a township in the Central West region of the Australian state of New South Wales. Together with its neighbour Gulgong, Mudgee offers a fantastic historical heritage and a host of great small wineries.

Mudgee's name comes from a local Aboriginal phrase meaning "nest in the hills", reflecting the town's position amongst hills created by long extinct volcanoes.

  • Mudgee Museum, 126 Market Street.
  • War Memorial clock tower
  • St Mary of the Presentation Catholic Church, 57 Market St (Right next to the clock tower in the middle of town, +61 2 6372 2122. Office 09:00-16:00. Historic church built from 1857-1873, with steeple added in 1911. Built from local sandstone, contains historic stained glass windows. Verdigrised copper steeple was replaced in 2013. Free.

Mudgee Museum, 126 Market Street.

War Memorial clock tower

St Mary of the Presentation Catholic Church, 57 Market St (Right next to the clock tower in the middle of town, +61 2 6372 2122. Office 09:00-16:00. Historic church built from 1857-1873, with steeple added in 1911. Built from local sandstone, contains historic stained glass windows. Verdigrised copper steeple was replaced in 2013. Free.

There is much to do in Mudgee, whether you have an interest in local produce or whether you have a more adventurous interest. There are annual events which attract many tourists every year, particularly during long-weekends. Some of these include:

  • The town's annual Wine Festival is held in late September.
  • The Mudgee Amateur Dramatic Society performs one-act plays and productions throughout the year, and a musical is performed during the Wine Festival.
  • There is a biannual airshow, Wings, Wheels and Wine, at the airport in April. There is an aviation museum at the airport open all year round.

Being a country town, there are also national parks near by which have some hiking tracks. While some of these do not allow camping, they do make for a good day's activities for families. Additionally, Mudgee has a large number of motocross enthusiasts, and has regular race days which attract big crowds, as well as motocross tracks where you can bring your own motorbike and hit the dirt. These tracks include:

  • Louee Enduro & Motorcross. Lue, approximately 20min from Mudgee town on Lue Rd. All information and prices are available online.
  • Freeflight Motorcycle Park. Approximately 45min from Mudgee, 20 min north of Gulgong. All information and prices are available online.

There is a biannual airshow, Wings, Wheels and Wine, at the airport in April. There is an aviation museum at the airport open all year round.

Louee Enduro & Motorcross. Lue, approximately 20min from Mudgee town on Lue Rd. All information and prices are available online.

Freeflight Motorcycle Park. Approximately 45min from Mudgee, 20 min north of Gulgong. All information and prices are available online.

  • The Mudgee region is home to dozens of wineries. Each road out of the town has clear signs directing visitors to all of the area's wineries, and maps can also be obtained from the town's Information Centre, located in Market Street.
  • As well as wine and mead, the Mudgee region is renowned for its wide choice of conserves, tapenades, mustards, wine jellies, vinegars, olive oils and honeys
  • Oakfield Country Store is where you can buy fresh homemade food and local goods. Located at Cassilis Road, Mudgee, NSW.
  • Mudgee Art House, 93 Market St, +61 402 848 634. Art prints by local artists.

Mudgee Art House, 93 Market St, +61 402 848 634. Art prints by local artists.

Mudgee has a variety of restaurants and pubs to suit all people, and most carry locally produced wine to go with almost any meal.

These include:

For those who would prefer to enjoy fish and chips or take away pizza in one of Mudgee's many parks, however, can choose from:

Some (but not all) of the surrounding wineries also serve food. Check in advance, and bookings are usually required.

The Butcher Shop Cafe, Church St Mudgee 2850

The Mudgee Brewing Company, 4 Church St. Mudgee 2850

The Ori Bistro, 6 Lewis St.

Eltons Eating + Drinking, 81 Market St, +61 2 6372 1079. (Who also make gorgeous wood fired pizza)

  • Mudgee Visitor Information Centre, 84 Market Street, +61 2 6372-1020.

Mudgee Visitor Information Centre, 84 Market Street, +61 2 6372-1020.