Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Mudgee, Australia

The term “Mudgee” is derived from the Wiradjuri language, meaning “Nest in the Hills,” an apt description for this charming town.

Mudgee is situated in a picturesque landscape characterized by the rolling hills of the Cudgegong River Valley.

Due to its high elevation, abundant sunlight, and fertile soil, Mudgee ranks among Australia’s foremost wine-producing regions.

The region’s climate is particularly conducive to robust red varietals such as Zinfandel, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon; however, white grapes like Riesling, Chardonnay, and Gewürztraminer also thrive here.

Below is a curated list of wineries worth visiting, each renowned for its unique offerings.

The central business district of Mudgee is adorned with elegant 19th-century architecture and complemented by a culinary scene that matches its world-class wine.

1. The Drip Gorge

Mudgee is conveniently located near a natural gem in the Goulburn River State Conservation Area.

A leisurely path alongside the Goulburn River leads to the Great Dripping Wall, where rainwater seeps through the porous rock.

This phenomenon creates a cooling microclimate in the gorge, allowing temperatures to be 15°C lower than the surrounding area.

For optimal viewing, visit after a period of consistent rainfall when the sandstone walls are fully saturated.

The unique microclimate supports diverse flora, including orchids, tree violets, and apple gums.

Additionally, consider a stop at Hands on the Rock, an important Aboriginal art site located two kilometers from the Drip Gorge.

2. Lowe Family Wine Co.

Among Mudgee’s premier wineries is Lowe Wines, a certified organic vineyard celebrated for its robust, quartz-friendly reds, crafted through innovative methodologies and years of expertise.

The untrellised and unirrigated vineyards yield wines that authentically represent the region’s soil and climate.

Main varietals include Merlot, Shiraz, and the flagship Zinfandel.

Visitors can complement their wine tasting with selections from the Food Store at the cellar door, where they can create their own platters from local cheeses, sourdough bread, marinated olives, and other delights.

3. Moothi Estate Winery

Moothi Estate, located east of Mudgee, offers breathtaking views over the vines and the sunlit landscape from its elevated position.

This family-owned winery produces a range of wine including Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Shiraz, allowing for a comfortable 45-minute tasting experience.

Alternatively, visitors may choose to enjoy lunch at a reserved table and relax while savoring a menu that emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, featuring an antipasti platter with an array of regional delights.

4. High Valley Cheese Co.

High Valley Cheese Co. produces artisan cheeses that are featured on menus across the Mudgee region.

This cheese maker utilizes milk sourced from Dubbo’s Little Big Dairy to create nine distinct cheese varieties, all crafted using traditional techniques.

Their offerings include marinated feta, rouge, Caerphilly, smoked cheddar, triple cream Brie, and two varieties of blue cheese.

Conveniently located opposite the Mudgee Racecourse, High Valley’s boutique-scale factory includes a cellar door for tastings.

5. Robert Stein Winery & Vineyard

Established in 1976, this single estate vineyard is currently operated by the Stein family, who have a winemaking heritage that dates back to 1838.

The vineyard produces and bottles its wines on-site, including a flagship Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, and Shiraz.

Winemaker Jacob Stein has garnered numerous accolades, including “Winemaker of the Year” multiple times at the Mudgee Wine Show.

Visitors are welcome to the award-winning cellar door for tastings and can sample farm-produced salami made from free-range Berkshire pigs, or dine at the popular Pipeclay Pumphouse, which boasts views of the Cudgegong Valley.

Additionally, guests can explore Robert Stein’s collection of vintage motorcycles, available for viewing during their winery visit.

6. Short Sheep Micro-Winery

Short Sheep Micro-Winery focuses on producing high-quality wines in small batches, employing sustainable practices from vine cultivation to glass.

As of 2020, their selection included reds such as the signature Syrah and Cabernet-Merlot, alongside whites like limited release Chardonnay and Semillon.

What distinguishes the Cellar Door is the unique “Flavours Palette” experience available on Saturdays, featuring curated wine and food pairings.

Moreover, Short Sheep offers innovative tasting experiences that take place by candlelight, near a fire, or at twilight.

7. Mudgee Museum

Situated west of the central business district and nestled alongside the Cudgegong River, the museum offers a comprehensive portrayal of Mudgee’s history through its extensive collection.

Housing over 60,000 items, the museum features artifacts ranging from agricultural tools to natural history specimens.

Housed in a historical colonial inn dating back to the mid-19th century, the museum is complemented by other significant buildings, including an early 20th-century church and a slab hut.

Key exhibits include a 19th-century wagon owned by a local farming family, a rare cabin chest that arrived with German immigrants in 1855, and a 1935 Packard that served in the Mudgee Ambulance Service during World War II.

8. Pieter van Gent Winery & Vineyard

This 100-acre estate, located just off Ulan Road and a mere ten minutes from central Mudgee, is home to Pieter van Gent Winery, which has been producing wines for decades, including Australia’s inaugural Chardonnay in the early 1970s.

Visitors to the cellar door are treated to a unique experience in a beautifully appointed barrel hall, which features antique choir stalls and is flanked by 20 German oak casks dating back to the 1850s.

Pieter van Gent’s wines exemplify the subtleties of the grape, soil, season, climate, and vintner.

Don’t miss the opportunity to sample the renowned Mudgee Pipeclay White Port, characterized by its nectar-like aroma and smooth texture…

9. The Cellar by Gilbert

The Gilbert family boasts six generations of winemaking expertise, having opened this cellar door at Mudgee’s edge in 2016. The charming sandstone venue resembles an upscale wine bar rather than a traditional cellar door.

Here, you may taste a selection of Gilbert Family Wines, featuring Riesling and blends such as “Rouge” (Shiraz and Sangiovese), “Blanc” (Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer), Lignée Rouge (Shiraz and Pinot Noir), and Lignée Blanc (Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc). A wine masterclass is available every Saturday afternoon for those interested in learning more about winemaking.

10. Mudgee Observatory

Established by John Vetter, who possesses nearly 50 years of experience in the field, the Mudgee Observatory is a private facility located 15 minutes from town, known for its dark skies.

Occasionally utilized by members of the esteemed Sutherland Astronomical Society, the observatory is also open to schools, group tours, or individuals interested in stargazing.

Sessions must be scheduled in advance and include a guided exploration of the night sky with the observatory’s telescopes and binoculars.

The facility also features a planetarium offering in-depth programs about celestial bodies and the history, present, and future of space exploration.

11. Putta Bucca Wetlands

If you find yourself in need of some outdoor activity after indulging at Mudgee’s wineries, the town’s nature reserve offers an ideal escape.

Once an exhausted aggregate quarry and former sewage site, this area has been transformed into a wetland, situated alongside the reconfigured Cudgegong River.

Surrounding the oxbow lake are bird hides, where visitors can observe a diverse array of species, including Australian king parrots, plum-headed finches, mistletoe birds, musk lorikeets, and rainbow bee-eaters.

The reserve features four separate trails, ranging from 400 meters to a 1.4-kilometer path that follows the riverbank.

12. St Mary of Presentation Catholic Church

The Neogothic St Mary’s Church holds significant architectural presence within Mudgee.

Constructed from Botobolar sandstone between 1873 and 1876, the church incorporates elements from earlier architecture dating back to the 1850s.

Its main façade, adorned with an image of Mary, features intricate multifoil tracery in the blind arches flanking the entrance, along with a frieze situated beneath the statue, a pair of lancet windows, and an impressive rose window above.

Inside, visitors are treated to exquisite stenciling and stained glass crafted by Glasgow’s Lyon, Cottier & Company.

The pews, made of maple in the 1930s, and the organ, built by J.W. Walker in 1866, along with the Stations of the Cross created by London artist George de Pyro, are additional highlights.

Notably, the altar is composed of Carrara marble, Rockhampton marble, and a selection of green marble sourced from Sweden.

13. Mudgee Heritage Walking Tours

The central business district is characterized by elegant historical buildings that have withstood the test of time, originating from the latter half of the 19th century.

This architecture serves as a testament to the prosperity that flowed through Mudgee during the Australian gold rush, as well as the booms from the wool industry and the arrival of the railway.

The Mudgee Heritage Walking Tour is held weekly, departing at 10:00 AM from the Clock Tower located at the intersection of Market and Church Streets.

Participants will enjoy a blend of splendid heritage architecture, highlighted by the Railway Station (1884), Mudgee Post Office (1862), and the Town Hall (1880), while uncovering fascinating stories of notable figures and significant events in the town’s past.

14. Mudgee Fine Foods Farmers’ Market

Located opposite the visitor information center, Robertson Park hosts a popular farmers’ market on the third Saturday of each month.

In a region known for its exceptional food and drink, the market operates under strict guidelines that ensure all items sold are grown, caught, raised, baked, smoked, pickled, or brewed by the stallholders themselves.

Visitors can find seasonal fruits, vegetables, a variety of herbs, chutneys, oils, feta cheese, macarons, freshly baked bread, and a myriad of other offerings.

Live music from local performers enhances the atmosphere as patrons shop, and options for breakfast, such as bacon and egg rolls, are available.

15. Mudgee Wine + Food Festival

This biennial festival has been a highlight for over 40 years, taking place every September to early October.

For those passionate about gastronomy, this period is ideally suited for experiencing Mudgee, featuring a robust agenda filled with exclusive tastings, special tours, meals, and live performances.

Numerous participating cellar doors offer diverse experiences, from exclusive offers to innovative platters and pairings, culminating in the Flavours of Mudgee event. Here, local winegrowers and food producers gather to provide tastings and delightful culinary bites in the heart of the CBD.