Top Towns for 2022: Beyond the world-class wineries in Mudgee

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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Much of the magic of Mudgee has to do with the fact it offers a proper escape to the country, with all the trimmings. Find out why Mudgee was named both NSW and Australia’s Top Tourism Town in 2022  – and came in at no.5 on your list of Top 50 Aussie Towns.

Find the complete list of the Top 50 Aussie Towns here.

What awaits travellers in Mudgee?

Mudgee, home to tribes from the Wiradjuri Nation, feels far from the highway. You get a sense of space here, as the road from Sydney steadily gains elevation through the Blue Mountains before stretching into the broad Cudgegong Valley beyond. 

Mudgee’s charming streetscape

Stroll around Mudgee’s charming streetscape. (Image: Destination NSW)

Mudgee is memorable for many reasons. For starters, there are no traffic lights in the town centre, which means you can change down a few gears while exploring its charming main streets and broad boulevards, known for its Federation-style buildings.  

Interest in the municipality of Mudgee is also high thanks to its collection of world-class wineries, quirky cellar doors, authentic farm-to-table eateries and five-star accommodation, all of which act like a beacon for gourmands.   

Where to eat & drink 

The cafe culture in Mudgee is strong, and built around the premise that we all need to switch off. Starting the day with a two-hour breakfast that extends into lunch is perfectly okay. And having a glass of wine in the early afternoon is considered entirely appropriate.  

flavourful meal at The Zin House
Dine at The Zin House. (Image: Destination NSW)

While there might not be any traffic lights, you will want to come to a halt at Mudgee Corner Store, which is a hub in this small community and where you can pick up premium provisions for a picnic.  

Alby & Esthers, located in an 1873 terrace in a cobblestoned corner of Mudgee, is also hugely popular for its jaffles.

Lowe Family Wine Co is one of the organic and biodynamic farms that sealed Mudgee’s reputation as a top spot for a short break. Pass the day here enjoying a charcuterie platter at the rustic cellar door, glass of wine in hand, or at The Zin House, known for its long paddock-to plate lunches with paired wines.  

grape farm at De Beaurepaire Wines
One of the vineyards behind Mudgee’s world-class wineries.

You can also taste the terroir at De Beaurepaire Wines in nearby Rylstone, where Richard de Beaurepaire channels his French ancestors with his approach to winemaking. Enjoy a tutored Tour de Vin tasting at the cellar door, which is housed in rustic 170-year-old stables.

Go deep and learn about Indigenous culture during a Warakirri Dining by Indigiearth degustation, led by pioneering local woman Sharon Winsor.  

The former Mudgee Post Office is now Three Tails Brewery, the makeover of which includes the Smokin Bro & Co Smokehouse out back, a great enhancement to the town. Mudgee Brewing Co, in a 100-year-old building in the town centre, is also a must. 

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Where to play 

There’s a lot to do in Mudgee besides sipping on elegant wines, but of course that’s also a solid option. Get the lay of the land on a self-guided birdwatching tour of the Putta Bucca Wetlands, go hot-air ballooning over the landscape with Balloon Aloft or glide through the waters of the Ganguddy with Southern Cross Kayaking.  

hot-air ballooning in Mudgee
Enjoy a hot-air balloon ride over Mudgee. (Image: Destination NSW)

As well as strolling the shops and boutiques in the low-key main streets of Mudgee, you can cover more ground by hiring an e-bike from Ezyride Mudgee or go further afield on a Hop & Grape Trail with Country Escape Tours, which showcases the best beer, wine and spirits in the region.  

Epicureans looking to upskill in the kitchen should sign up for a lesson at The Little Cooking School, which has a rotating roster of options ranging from pasta masterclasses to cannoli making workshops.  

Pipeclay Pumphouse at Robert Stein Vineyard & Winery deserves special mention as a destination in its own right: don your best leather boots and prepare to fall hard for this restaurant known for its fine-dining menu paired with top drops that sing of NSW’s Central West. 

Where to stay

While ‘I’m going on holiday to Mudgee’ was once shorthand for ‘I’m going away for the weekend to drink wine’, there are now seriously smart cabins and charming boutique accommodation that makes a weekend stay in Mudgee magical for teetotallers, too. 

Prepare to do a few ‘boast posts’ on Instagram when you book a stay at the Riverlea Cottage, Riverlea Stables or The Wandering Grape, which are all beautifully realised retreats set in the town’s scenic surrounds.  

Riverlea Stables
Experience rustic charm and comfort at Riverlea Stables.

See kangaroos grazing on the grounds at Strikes Mudgee, or go off-grid at Evamor Valley and Glenayr Farm where you can get the cellar door to come to you via Exclusively Mudgee.  

striking guesthouse at Strikes Mudgee
Stay closer to nature at Strikes Mudgee. (Image: Destination NSW)
kangaroos hopping around Glenayr Farm
Watch kangaroos hopping by Glenayr Farm’s scenic landscape. (Image: Destination NSW)

The architect-designed Gawthorne’s Hut is also a go-to for an ‘Escape to the Country’. The boutique-y Perry Street Hotel, and Shed by Zin at Lowe Family Wine Co also make for a memorable stay in Mudgee. 

Looking for something altogether more quirky? Wilgowrah Church, in the foothills of Mudgee, is a temple to well-thought-out heritage restoration. And if you want to see the grape-to-glass philosophy in full swing, book a stay at Yeates Wines, which is just minutes from Mudgee. 

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Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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Why winter is the best time to be on the New South Wales coast

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

    Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

    Winter on the NSW South Coast

    Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

    Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

    two people standing in front of kiama blowhole
    See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

    Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

    Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast
    Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery. Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

    Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda, and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

    End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines.

    The Sebel Kiama exterior
    Sleep by the harbour.

    Winter on the Mid-North Coast

    A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

    First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

    Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast
    Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk, one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

    Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines, where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

    port macquarie koala hospital
    Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala. Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

    Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

    At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie, right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

    bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie
    Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

    Winter on the Central Coast

    On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

    The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk, an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

    Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

    a humpback whale breaching on the central coast
    Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park. Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

    If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast, a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery, where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

    Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm. Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

    woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm
    Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

    As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal, which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

    Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores, between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

    restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast
    Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Winter in Wollongong

    Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

    If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

    Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

    monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple
    Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch. Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

    The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong. A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery, which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

    monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park
    Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

    As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen. It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

    Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

    Novotel Wollongong Northbeach
    Fall asleep listening to the waves.

    Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.

    Must-see spots in Mudgee - Australian Traveller