Mudgee travel and accommodation information

A GLITTERING RURAL RETREAT

To the traditional indigenous inhabitants, the ring of extinct volcanoes that shelter this attractive rural enclave west of the Great Dividing Range was reminiscent of a gigantic nest. They gave it the name Mudgee, which roughly translates as “nest in the hills”.

Located 265 kilometres north west of Sydney and encompassing the town of Mudgee and such picturesque smaller settlements as Gulgong and Rylstone, the region makes great use of the fertile lands of the Cudgegong River Valley. Beef, lamb, wool and various crops are produced here, although its greatest claim to fame for many visitors is its wine, especially the well-renowned reds.

Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties are celebrated for their full-bodied flavour, while Mudgee was the first region in Australia to produce Chardonnay. There are more than 40 cellar door wineries to visit; most are smaller, boutique operations with many now moving towards organic production.

There’s much to do in the region – including fishing in the Cudgegong River, panning for gold, 4WD excursions into remote bushland and gathering up a picnic fashioned from the fresh local produce. Dining in the many restaurants, cafes and bistros, some of which can be found within the wineries, is also highly recommended, with local chefs bringing together mouth-watering creations.

Nature lovers will appreciate the Wollemi National Park, which skirts the eastern edge of the Mudgee district. Accommodation in the Mudgee region ranges from hotels and motels, to B&B establishments, guesthouses and self-contained cottages.

The first European in the area was James Blackman, who arrived in 1821. Later, William Lawson, one of the explorers who carved a route across the Great Dividing Range at the Blue Mountains in 1813, took up an extensive landholding.

The village of Mudgee was gazetted in 1838 and became the centre of the 1851 gold rush. Later, strikes at Hill End and Gulgong kept Mudgee’s fortunes high.

Poet Henry Lawson, who was raised in the area, drew on his early local experiences for much of his writing.