Fast facts
- An elegant and well-kept historic country town
- Set in the scenic, natural setting of the Cudgegong Valley
- 282 km north-west of Sydney, population 8,600
Why go there
Being just under a four-hour drive from Sydney, Mudgee is a favourite "short break" destination for people who like food, wine, the great outdoors and the comfort of sophisticated accommodation.
From the fertile farmland surrounds comes great local produce available at cafes and restaurants in town, farm gate sales and gourmet food outlets.
With the town’s heritage buildings on display and a prosperous vibe in the air, instead of asking "why go there?" it’s more like "why not go there?".
History
Mudgee was settled by Europeans in the 1820s and was the first region to plant and grow chardonnay and merlot grapes. Its wide, grid plan of streets laid out in 1823 by the surveyor Robert Hoddle became the model for Melbourne's town plan.
Producing fine wines and fortifieds has made the Mudgee wine industry’s bounty a desirable addition to international and domestic tables.
Things to do
- Follow the Mudgee Taste Trail and Mudgee Gourmet Trail and taste some of the great local produce, such as honey, olives, hazelnuts and venison prosciutto.
- Head for the restaurant in the beautifully restored Mudgee Railway Station.
- Taste some fine wines at any one of the cellar door outlets. There are more than 35 reputable winemakers on vineyards close to town.
Events
- Mudgee Wine Festival and Mudgee Wine Show in September.
- Mudgee Small Farm Field Days in July, where visitors learn about farm life.
Don’t miss
