You’ve got a major birthday coming up. Or the old crew from high school is getting together. Or you’re in charge of finding somewhere special for the big family reunion (urgh, why is it ALWAYS you!?)
Whatever the reason, you’re looking for a special place. Somewhere that makes everyone happy. Somewhere that’s full of surprises. Somewhere that makes you feel like you’ve uncovered a hidden gem.
Well, pull up a chair and let me tell you a little about the Mudgee Region.
Come for its wineries; stay for its food, its coffee, and its friendly faces; go home with stories, experiences – and a carload of wine.
Because the Mudgee Region deserves a deep dive – you need a three-day weekend to *really* get to know the place.
Your first stop on a tour of Mudgee’s hidden gems? A stay at Evanslea Luxury Boutique Accommodation. Peek behind the hedges to find an unexpected vista of gardens and cottages rolling down to the Cudgegong River. Book the whole group into Evanslea House or enjoy a more intimate experience in a cottage for two. Light the fire and make this secret garden your home for a leisurely long weekend.
For breakfast, lunch and coffee (any time!), Alby & Esthers is a chill courtyard café tucked away in the centre of town. Look for the arched walkway just metres from the clock tower – yep, you’ve found the hidden gateway to coffee heaven. Follow it through until the walkway opens onto a paved courtyard covered with a canopy of grapevines. With coffee to die for, a range of cakes and tasty treats, and a delicious menu with constantly rotating specials, it’s the perfect place for the group to meet and plot out the day’s itinerary.
You’re going to stand out like a whole gang of sore thumbs if you don’t dress the part – that’s where Blowes Clothing comes in. Wouldn’t you love to see the blokes looking like extras in Yellowstone or Farmer Wants a Wife? Start with an Akubra, pull on some RM Williams boots, and voilà, you’re from the bush! Blowes is as far from fast fashion as you can get – comfortable, classy, and built to last.
Now that you’ve got your (literal!) boots on, it’s time to hop over to the Rylstone Olive Press. Here, in the hills above Rylstone, olives are grown, harvested, and squeezed into the freshest, most delicious olive oil you’ve ever tasted (and yes, there’s a swag of national and international awards to prove it). If you’ve never given much thought to olive oil flavours, your tastebuds are about to get a serious lesson in yum. Taste the full product range and learn about the health benefits of the oil (it’s that Mediterranean diet!) – you’ll never look at olive oil the same way again.
Every Mudgee Region visitor needs to fit a winery into their trip, and Lowe Family Wine Co is a long-time travellers’ favourite. The tables at Lowe are big enough to fit the whole group, and the hosts will make you feel at home over a glass (or six!) from their organic wine range. But there’s more than wine to see here – the vineyard is just one part of a thriving farm with veggies, chooks, and an orchard. It all runs on biodynamic principles, just ask if you want to know more about that!
Now it’s time to complete this Mudgee Region trip with an evening in a classic country pub. Located right in the middle of town, the Woolpack offers country hospitality, cold beer, local wine, and the popular Jumbucks Chinese Restaurant (look for the picture of a ram eating with chopsticks – yes seriously). You’ve made it a long weekend to remember, and the Woolpack is the perfect place to settle down and relax, or to work your way up to a long night. Get a table on the street and watch Mudgee life go by.
Good news – you promised the gang a memorable weekend, and the Mudgee Region has delivered!
