The 10 cosiest places in Mudgee to book on Airbnb

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Curl up by the fire at these stylish stays in beautiful, vine-filled Mudgee.

Retreat to the country to unwind among Mudgee’s rural beauty and incredible wineries. Here, in the NSW town and her bucolic surrounds, cooler weather beckons with an array of cosy stays. From generous riverside barns to sweet, woodland cabins and downtown terraces, you’ll find the perfect Airbnb to settle in and warm up.

1. Highgrove Cottage

Best for: A couple of couples happy to share a hot tub

You had us at a hot tub on the deck. Add wine and we’re all in. This hilltop cottage lays out 360-degree views across Mudgee, complete with vine-threaded undulations, which you can absorb from that aforementioned hot tub.

the front porch at Highgrove Cottage, Mudgee
Relax on the verandah with a drink in hand at Highgrove Cottage.

But the two-bedroom Highgrove Cottage is also a stylish stay complete with a full kitchen, chic design, cosy touches of timber floors and indoor fireplace, and a separate studio for additional guests. It’s gorgeous inside, but you’ll struggle to draw your eyes from the muted tones of the rural landscape beyond.

the living room interior at Highgrove Cottage, Mudgee
Inside, you’ll find a chic and cosy interior.
Fireplace at Highgrove in Mudgee
A roaring fireplace completes the cosy vibes.

Location: Eurunderee, Mudgee

2. Gawthorne’s Hut

Best for: Architecture boffins looking for a romantic off-grid interlude

All the way up there for design-led cosiness, this triangular-shaped Gawthorne’s Hut has been voted ‘Best Unique Stay’ by Airbnb’s host awards and has been featured in architecture publications.

the Gawthorne’s Hut in Mudgee
Go for a romantic off-grid interlude at the triangular-shaped Gawthorne’s Hut.

It’s no surprise this one-bedroom wedge of a stay has snagged so much adoration with its luxe, off-grid design being the stuff of eco-dreams.

the wooden bedroom interior at the Gawthorne’s Hut in Mudgee
Curl up in the rustic-style space and enjoy the views.

While it’s not suitable for kids or infants, it is very suited to cosy lock-ins with a king bed, air-con, kitchenette and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing sweeping Mudgee valley views.

Bathtub at Gawthorne in Mudgee
A deep bathtub to soak away the stresses of everyday life.

Location: Mudgee

3. Wilgowrah Church

Best for: History buffs who like a quiet space.

You’ll love going to church in this heritage-listed deconsecrated abode. Keeping true to its original form, but with stylish, modern design updates, this gorgeous 1920s country church  has been tenderly restored to welcome couples.

the Wilgowrah Church in Mudgee
Settle into this 1920s country church turned Airbnb in Mudgee.

Just six kilometres from Mudgee, you’ll be close to town and wineries, while feeling transported to a bygone era.

the bedroom inside Wilgowrah Church
Cathedral-style windows and ceilings are featured throughout.

There’s a cosy fireplace to huddle around as you admire the cathedral-style ceilings and textural brickwork, as well as an outdoor firepit, air-con and full kitchen at your disposal.

Wilgowrah Mudgee stay
There are plenty of spaces for relaxation.

Location: Mudgee

4. McKenna Terrace

Best for: Town-dwelling travellers

In the centre of Mudgee, McKenna Terrace  is beautifully welcoming with its luxe country style. Self-contained with a modern kitchen and lovely courtyard terrace complete with barbecue, settle in for an escape to that is both sleek and warm.

a close-up shot of the pillows on the bed at McKenna Terrace, Mudgee
Retreat to the sleek McKenna Terrace.

With a black and cream colour palette that soothes, from dark wooden floors to cabinetry, this two-bedroom stay is the perfect place to retreat to after a day in the vineyards.

the classy interior of McKenna Terrace, Mudgee
A black and cream colour palette is used to create a soothing atmosphere.

Location: Mudgee CBD

5. Resteasy at Sunset Cabin

Best for: Laidback country charm

An almost rustic rural retreat for those looking to deep-dive into their surrounds, Resteasy at Sunset Cabin  is a one-bedroom stay that offers all the charm of a bush shack, while ensuring guests are abundantly comfortable.

a rural retreat in Resteasy at Sunset Cabin, Mudgee
Resteasy at Sunset Cabin has an outdoor tub to soak in under the stars.

There’s a claw-foot bathtub outside for soaks under the stars, a firepit, barbecue, coffee machine and electric fireplace. It’s cosiness all wrapped up in corrugated iron walls with mountain views waiting to be revealed in the misty morning.

the kitchen inside Resteasy at Sunset Cabin, Mudgee
Inside, you’ll find a modern kitchen with a coffee machine.

Location: Frog Rock

6. Thistle Hill Mudgee

Best for: Groups and families looking to lock in and unwind

Agrarian beauty abounds at this stunning homestead set among pinot noir vines and olive trees. Sleeping six, you can settle into the luxury Thistle Hill Mudgee lodge with your crew and lean into rural living, from catching yabbies in the dam and wandering the 100 acres to sipping morning cups of tea while listening to local birdlife.

guests chatting at the farm in Thistle Hill Mudgee
Settle into the luxury Thistle Hill Mudgee lodge with your crew.

In winter, an inviting indoor fireplace crackles into life and you can huddle around the fire pit come evening, while in summer a private pool beckons for refreshing dips. All this, and you’re just 10 minutes’ drive from Mudgee.

Lounge room at Thistle Hill in Mudgee
Rich earthy colours and textures feature throughout.

Location: Mudgee

7. Black Springs

Best for: Lumberjack lovers

Consider your cabin goals reached at this idyllic, bush-surrounded retreat. Set on 33 acres, Black Springs  is located only 10 minutes from Mudgee, but huddled amid tall trees in this charming cottage, you’ll feel wonderfully secluded from the outside world.

a look inside the bedroom at Black Springs, Mudgee
Bed down at this bush-surrounded retreat in Black Springs.

Inside the studio, country vibes are well maintained with elegant but sympathetic styling in heritage tones of cool green and warm wood. Snuggle fireside, sink into a warm bath, and watch resident wildlife, such as kangaroos, mooch about from the porch.

Clawfoot bath at Black Springs in Mudgee
Throw open the doors to take in your surroundings while soaking in the clawfoot bathtub.

Location: Budgee Budgee

8. The Black Shed

Best for: Snug family time

Leaning into a rustic-luxe aesthetic, the architecturally designed Black Shed  presides over a working vineyard and out to the attention-stealing vistas of Lawsons Creek and Mount Buckaroo. The cosy checklist is all here, from indoor wood-burning fireplace, timber finishes and artful styling, to full-kitchen, bathtub and barbecue.

the accommodation exterior of The Black Shed, Mudgee
The rustic-luxe Black Shed presides over a working vineyard.

Sleeping up to five across two bedrooms, you can bring your four-legged friend or children, or both, but do be aware farm animals do free-range on the property. Only five kilometres away from Mudgee, exploring town is a cinch.

a bed set next to a balcony at The Black Shed, Mudgee
Wake up next to breathtaking vistas.

Location: Milroy

9. River Ranch

Best for: Small but perfectly formed celebrations

A barn-style escape set by an almost hyperbolically beautiful river, River Ranch  is charming in every sense of the word.

the exterior of the Airbnb stay at River Ranch, Mudgee
Check into this charming barn-style Airbnb stay at River Ranch.

Enjoy a deep dive into the fantasy of rural living here, where eight guests can unwind across four bedrooms and find plenty of nooks and crannies to enjoy a little solitude, from the patio to the riverside and in the company of a resident alpaca.

a billiards table inside River Ranch, Mudgee
Play billiards or simply enjoy your solitude.

With barn doors swinging open from the dining room to reveal a breath-snatching farm view, this place is perfect for special celebrations. There’s also a fireplace, full kitchen, valley and river vistas, basic camp kitchen, firepit and festoon lighting, to really illuminate the dream that this is your everyday life.

the kitchen at River Ranch, Mudgee
You’ll find everything you need from a full kitchen to a fireplace at River Ranch.

Location: Riverlea

10. The Gully

Best for: Cabin romance

This hidden away hut is straight from the set of a rom-com, where the protagonists cosy up under the moon in a clawfoot bath, of course. Hemmed by towering pines and gums, and rustically timber-clad, The Gully  also has strong Hansel and Gretel overtones.

towering pines surrounding The Gully, Mudgee
Be surrounded by towering pines at The Gully.

Inside, however, there’s no wicked witch, just cottage-luxe styling and beautifully restored original features. Stoke the wood-burning fire, enjoy a drink on the porch and make use of the full kitchen.

an outdoor tub at The Gully, Mudgee
Enjoy a drink in the outdoor tub.

If you don’t feel like cooking, grazing boxes and breakfast hampers can be arranged. With no wi-fi, all entertainment will be analogue, but that’s all the better for romance, we think.

the bedroom at The Gully, Mudgee
Cosy up in the cottage-luxe bedroom.

Location: Budgee Budgee

For more inspiration, read our ultimate travel guide to Mudgee before you book.
Lara Picone
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
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No time to hibernate: experience the best of winter in NSW

Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.

When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows.

Winter here isn’t for hiding away. It’s for long walks, deep baths, deeper reds and the kind of fireside lounging that feels simultaneously indulgent and entirely deserved after a day of exploring. From whale-watching up north to moodily lit bushwalks and pastry pilgrimages, we’ve mapped out your new favourite season.

a beach winter in nsw
From coastal walks to tasty delights, winter in NSW is a time to get out and about.

The Tweed

In winter, the NSW north coast has a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations. From May to November, humpbacks cruise past the Tweed coast between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Spot them from the Cabarita Beach headland or get up closer with a boat cruise.

Inland, find the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre , which is home to a rotating cast of big-name exhibitions (including Monet).

Later, grab a table at Bistro Livi , where the modern Spanish menu features whipped salt cod on toast and spanner crab with curry butter and spelt flatbread. Stick around to poke through the artist studios and indie boutiques of M|Arts Precinct .

visitors at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre
Browse the art. (Image: Destination NSW)

The next day, jump aboard the Indigenous Lunch Cruise with Tweed Escapes. You’ll cruise upriver listening to yarns from local Indigenous guides, stop at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Museum and tuck into lemon myrtle-crusted snapper.

Next, drive out to Farm & Co to pull apart some juicy smoked lamb shoulder with green olive tapenade while gazing out over the macadamia fields and avocado groves of this working farm.

End the day at Mantra on Salt Beach where you’ll enjoy beach access, a heated rock spa and a lagoon pool.

dining room at Bistro Livi
Taste modern Spanish at Bistro Livi.

Blue Mountains

The cold season is hands down the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. Temperatures are perfect – sunny enough for hikes, and crisp enough at night for snuggling up.

For a trip that equally soothes and stirs, start with a meditative meander through the national park’s eucalypts and Australian wildflowers. Brave the steepest passenger railway in the world, Scenic Railway , then hop the Skyway aerial cable car for unrivalled Three Sisters views.

Thaw out at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels. Soak in steamy outdoor onsens filled with natural mineral water and mountain views, wander the rose and zen gardens, or sip hot drinks in the tea house.

group leader at Blue Mountains Stargazing
Rug up for Blue Mountains Stargazing. (Image: Destination NSW)

Afterwards, head to Ates in Blackheath, where everything revolves around a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven – like the wood-roasted duck with nectarines and Szechuan spice. Or visit Tempus Katoomba , which leans experimental and sustainable, serving up dishes like braised fennel with cumin, spiced yogurt and Aleppo pepper.

Rug up and head into the night with Blue Mountains Stargazing . Sessions are guided by astrophysicists, helping you understand what you’re looking at as you look into deep space.

Wrap it all up at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection . There’s a whiskey bar in the basement (and crackling fires that make a dram taste even better), indoor and outdoor pools and a day spa. Kids will love the mirror maze and ice rink, too.

dishes laid out on table at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains
End the day with delicious meals at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

Southern Highlands

Good food and wine by the fire, experienced between sifting through second-hand treasures, is a winter vibe in Bowral.

Start with a lap around Dirty Janes , an antique and vintage market. Recover from your shopping frenzy at Bendooley Book Barn , where floor-to-ceiling shelves and a roaring fire set the tone for an afternoon of red wine or hot coffee.

When it’s time to eat, head to Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar , Peppers Craigieburn Bowral’s onsite restaurant. Try the crispy pork belly with Granny Smith crisps and apple gel, or ocean trout with wakame, lemon gel and pickled radish.

couple looking through Dirty Janes in bowral
Wander the antiques at Dirty Janes. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another option, Onesta Cucina , does Italian with flair. For something more casual (with cocktails), Flour Bar swings between brunch and dinner, with an onsite bakery, over 400 wines and a hidden deli in the old bank vault.

Later, clamber Mt Gibraltar , where trails wind through eucalypt forest to views over Bowral and Mittagong.

Stay at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral , a century-old estate with open fires, elegant lounges and a nine-hole golf course.

woman and her dog winter in nsw at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral
Stay cosy at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.

Penrith

Shake off winter inertia with an adrenaline boost out in Penrith. Kick things off with a kayak paddle on the Nepean River with Horizon Line, or head to Cables Wake Park , where cold-weather wetsuits take the edge off a wipeout.

For something a bit more cruisy, opt for the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for slow-floating views and a hot cuppa.

kayakers on the nepean river in penrith
Head out on the Nepean River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Refuel at Marcel Bar & Bistro , where reimagined European comfort food – like seafood risotto in bisque with little neck clams and Moreton Bay bugs – is king. Then check in at the Pullman Sydney Penrith , the area’s first international five-star hotel, to enjoy your well-earned rest.

Pullman Penrith
Set yourself up at Pullman Penrith.

Start planning your NSW winter getaway at all.com.