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The 8 cosiest places in Mudgee to book on Airbnb

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

Highgrove Cottage mudgee airbnb
Relax on the verandah with a drink in hand at Highgrove Cottage. (Image: Airbnb)

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

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.

Best for: A couple of couples happy to share a hot tub
Location:
 Eurunderee, Mudgee

2. Gawthorne’s Hut

Gawthorne’s Hut mudgee airbnb
Go for a romantic off-grid interlude at the triangular-shaped Gawthorne’s Hut.(Image: Airbnb)

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. 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.

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.

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

3. Wilgowrah Church

Wilgowrah mudgee airbnb
Settle into this 1920s country church turned Airbnb in Mudgee.(Image: Airbnb)

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

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.

Best for: History buffs who like a quiet space.
Location:
 Mudgee

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4. Resteasy at Sunset Cabin

Resteasy at Sunset Cabin mudgee airbnb
Resteasy at Sunset Cabin has an outdoor tub to soak in under the stars. (Image: Airbnb)

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.

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.

Best for: Laidback country charm
Location:
 Frog Rock

5. Thistle Hill Mudgee

Thistle Hill mudgee airbnb
Settle into the luxury Thistle Hill Mudgee lodge with your crew. (Image: Airbnb)

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.

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.

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

6. Black Springs

Black Springs mudgee airbnb
Bed down at this bush-surrounded retreat in Black Springs. (Image: Airbnb)

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.

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.

Best for: Lumberjack lovers
Location:
 Budgee Budgee

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7. The Black Shed

Black Shed mudgee airbnb
The rustic-luxe Black Shed presides over a working vineyard. (Image: Airbnb)

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.

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.

Best for: Snug family time
Location:
 Milroy

8. The Gully

The Gully mudgee airbnb
Be surrounded by towering pines at The Gully. (Image: Airbnb)

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.

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.

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.

Best for: Cabin romance
Location:
 Budgee Budgee

For more inspiration, read our ultimate travel guide to Mudgee before you book.

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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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After dark: 6 experiences along the Murray lighting up the night

(Credit: Serena Munro)

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
    See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.

    By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.

    From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.

    This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.

    1. Share in ghostly tales

    Port After Dark tour Murray at night
    Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)

    If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.

    You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.

    2. Wander art installations

    Bruce Munroe's Fibre Optic Symphoinic Orchestra Murray at night
    See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)

    Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.

    For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.

    3. Learn through lasers

    Heartbeat of the Murray at night
    Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)

    Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.

    The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.

    4. Light up the lake

    Lake Mulwala Laser Light Show Murray at night
    Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)

    Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.

    You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.

    5. Be captivated by local culture

    Bullanginya Dreaming Murray at night
    Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)

    Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.

    Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.

    6. Discover a winter glow

    winterglow festival
    See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.

    Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.

    Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.

    Start planning a day-to-night adventure along the Murray at visitthemurray.com.au.