The Very Best Things To Do In Mudgee Australian Traveller Australian Traveller

There’s more to Mudgee than just eating and drinking – although there is a lot of that, too.

Mudgee is well known as one of the country’s best wine regions, but alongside its award-winning drops, you’ll also discover enchanting nature experiences, a cultural hub of activities and plenty of memorable eats. Here, find the best things to do in Mudgee.

1. Cycle the wineries with Tour de Vine

Cycle the scenic vineyards with Tour De Vines.

Fresh air, country roads and an intense concentration of cellar doors – Mudgee is a mecca ready and waiting for wine lovers. Hop on a bicycle and explore some of the finest scenery and fecund food baskets in all of Australia. The Tour de Vines ‘Tour de Mudgee’ self-guided cellar door cycling tour will see you roll between vineyards with relative ease.

Indulge in a long lunch at Logan Wines, devour an Italian-style aperitivo board at First Ridge, sample the range of High Valley Cheese at The Cellar by Gilbert and go underground at Pieter Van Gant.

This is a great way to indulge in the region’s bounty of wine and produce. And don’t worry about the wobbly ride home – if you have one too many wines, there’s a support vehicle on hand. Check out a full list of wineries and cellar doors in Mudgee to plan ahead.

2. Marvel at Mudgee from the air with Balloon Aloft

Balloon Aloft mudgee — See Mudgee in all its glory in a hot air balloon.

A serene ride in a hot air balloon with Balloon Aloft is the perfect way to see Mudgee in all its glory. Set your alarm for an early start and meet at Cade’s Kitchen in Mudgee. Pile into the basket and ascend above one of the state’s most picturesque places.

The morning sky will reveal views of the iconic vineyards below, as well as the townships of Rylstone, Kandos, Hill End and more. The sunrise balloon flights are approximately one hour in duration and are followed by a delicious Champagne breakfast back on land.

3. Walk the Drip Gorge

The Drip Walking Track, located within the Goulburn River State Conservation Area, is a place of significance for the local Wiradjuri people. Fifty kilometres north of Mudgee, the 2.8-kilometre return walk follows alongside the Goulburn River to the Great Dripping Wall. Rainwater trickles through the porous rock face, creating a cool oasis that is usually 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the surrounding region on a hot day.

The rich diversity of plant life along the track is also one of its many marvels. Keep an eye out for native apple gums, tree violets (named for their scent) and rocky outcrops with orchids and moss. After your walk, cool down in the Goulburn River or marvel at ‘Hands on the Rock’ – the awe-inspiring rock site stencil made by the Wiradjuri people in Ulan.

4. See a performance at the Prince of Wales Opera House

Mudgee is home to the oldest, still-operating opera house in the southern hemisphere. The Prince of Wales Opera House was built in 1871 by John Hart Cogden and has provided a stage for some incredible operatic talent over the years, such as Dame Nelly Melba.

The riches of the goldfields allowed an early impresario to engage some of the most famous performers of the time. Interestingly, Henry Lawson’s first experience at a theatre was at The Prince of Wales Opera House to see a performance of The Pirates of Penzance.

The theatre closed in the 1960s and remained so until its current owners, Gulgong Amateur Musical and Dramatical Society, restored it to its former glory. Keep an eye out for upcoming shows and stop by the Prince of Wales Hotel next door for fabulous pub fare or use it as a base to explore Gulgong’s charming surroundings and bed down in the award-winning accommodation.

5. Paddle onto the water with Southern Cross Kayaking

Explore the Dunns/ Ganguddy Swamp — Discover the peaceful Dunns/ Ganguddy Swamp

Diversify your food and wine trip to Mudgee by getting eye-level with nature out on the water. Join a kayak tour or hire a paddleboard at Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp with Southern Cross Kayaking to wind along the pristine Cudgegong River that cuts its way through the Wollemi National Park.

Follow it up with a walk through the park to discover intricately shaped rock faces and diverse wildlife waiting around every bend.

6. Sip on a pint at Mudgee Brewing Co.

Mudgee’s only microbrewery is housed in a 100-year-old former wool store that was previously owned by the Anglican Church. Gary Leonard, a former coal miner, took ownership of the space in 2007 and transformed it into the thriving brewery it is today.

Inside, you’ll find a rotating list of the latest beers brewed onsite, live music two nights a week, an open mic night on Thursdays and trivia on Wednesdays and, unlike most breweries, this one goes the extra mile to offer table service. If you need a caffeine fix they also serve Fish River Roasters Coffee.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

7. See world-renowned art in Mudgee Arts Centre

Want to see world-class art (we’re talking Pablo Picasso and Roy Lichtenstein) in a room, often by yourself? Then head to Mudgee Arts Centre inside the Visitor’s Centre. Thanks to a program run by Canberra, you’ll find a rotating cast of artworks by some of the world’s most celebrated artists. And, unlike larger galleries, there’s a good chance you’ll get to contemplate them on your own – or at least, without even the hint of a crowd.

8. Shop local goodies while you’re there

Before you leave the visitor’s centre, peruse the packed shelves for local arts, crafts and tasty delights. You’ll find everything from wine, to chocolate, to tea towels, to tea.

9. Get to a Mudgee market

wine stall at Church Street MArkets mudgee — Pop by the markets in Mudgee. (Image: Destination NSW)

Given the incredible agricultural fertility of the Mudgee region, it’s not surprising you’ll encounter a market on just about every weekend of the month. From incredibly fresh produce and artisan wares to crafts and trinkets, you’re going to find something to fill your market basket.

There’s the Church Markets and Makers Market on the first weekend of the month, the Lawson Park Markets on the second and the unmissable Mudgee Farmers’ Market on the third Saturday of the month – particularly good if you’re staying in a cosy Airbnb nearby and can cook yourself up a seasonal feast.

You’ll also find perfectly perusable markets in the nearby towns of Rylstone, Gulgong, Capertee and Kandos.

10. Go wine-tasting, of course

Lowe Wines Mudgee cellar door — Put Lowe Family Wines Co on the tour list. (Image: Destination NSW)

Well, this one is a bit obvious. But it’s worth mentioning that with more than 35 cellar doors in the area, many of which are award-winning, the prepared wine-taster is the happiest wine-taster. You can’t possibly fit it all into one weekend, let alone one week, so make a sip-list and schedule them in. But if you’d rather take your hands off the wheel (quite literally) and let yourself be guided by local knowledge, book a tour.

11. Eat, eat and repeat at Mudgee’s best restaurants

the zin house, mudgee — The Zin House will deliver one of the best meals of your life. (Image: Amber Hooper)

We all know the relationship between wine and food is co-dependent. One really can’t relish one without the other. Happily, Mudgee excels at both. With almost as many wonderful restaurants and eateries as there are cellar doors, you’re not going to be short on places to indulge your bacchanalian tendencies. Check out our top picks for dining out and be sure to book ahead if you’re visiting Mudgee at peak times.

12. Absorb settler history at the Mudgee Museum

The 60,000-article-strong collection of the Mudgee Museum spans many buildings, serving as a bricks-and-mortar memory for the area’s past. The first European to access Mudgee was James Blackman in 1821, who set about erecting the first town building by 1837. No doubt his endeavours were watched with concern by the local Wiradjuri people, who must have known the inevitability of what was to come. Come it did and with it, grazing, goldrushes and eventually grapes.

Donated largely by local families, the objects of the museum offer a fascinating insight to early Mudgee and her surrounds. Whether you’re a history buff or casually curious, time perusing the past here is well-spent.

13. Hit the boutiques

Cloth & Feather store mudgee — Come by Cloth & Feather for all things textiles. (Image: Amber Creative)

Elevate your country style with a spin around the fashion boutiques and homewares stores of Mudgee. At Cloth & Feather, you’ll find beautiful textiles, French linens, rugs and throws to warm your abode. At the Convent and Chapel Wool Shop, pick up a luxury yarn to spin into a cosy jumper. There are sunny and bright interiors and attire to covet at Good Day Lifestyle Co, in Gulgon head to Wear It Out for a selection of gorgeous kids’ and ladies’ fashion.

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14. Discover local Indigenous culture

Warakirri Dining Experience by indigiearth in mudgee — Taste native bush tucker and botanicals across five courses.

Explore Wiradjuri Country with Aboriginal-owned company Milan Dhiiyaan in Goulburn River National Park, where Traditional Owners will guide you through the bush via the lens of the Wiradjuri people. You’ll be immersed in the ritual of a smoking ceremony, listen to stories from the land and hear songs in the language.

Or deep-dive into the flavours of the Wiradjuri with the unique Warakirri dining experience, where native bush foods and botanicals dance across your palate throughout a refined five-course degustation crafted by Indigiearth founder and Ngemba Weilwan woman Sharon Winsor.

15. Wander Wollemi National Park

Sun setting over the Cudgegong River in Wollemi National Park — Explore the corners of Wollemi National Park. (Image: Destination NSW)

Balance out a wine-heavy itinerary in Mudgee with a deep dive into nature. The impressive World Heritage-listed Wollemi National Park is an incredible wilderness within easy reach of Mudgee. Sunlit escarpments, glass-top rivers and tranquil forests ease you into a meditative calm where life beyond seems to fade pleasantly into the background.

Spend the day hiking trails, such as the heart-lifting, one-hour Pagoda Lookout walking track, explore the glow worm tunnel and unfurl your swag for the night at the Coorongooba campground.

16. Explore nearby Rylstone

Patrons enjoying food and drink at 29 Nine 99 Yum Cha and Tea House in Rylstone, east of Mudgee. — Treat yourself to lunch at 29Nine99 Yum Cha. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy 40-minute drive from Mudgee is the charming town of Rylstone. Set by the majestic Cudgegong River, this sandstone cottage-strewn village is edged by national parks and festooned with wineries.

Living up to country ideals, a stroll along the main street is an agrarian treat, although it’s best paused for tea at the much-celebrated dumpling house, 29 Nine 99. While in town, be sure to tick off the Rylstone Heritage Walk, take a stroll through the fairy-like Ferntree Gully Reserve and enjoy an award-winning tipple at De Beaurepaire Wines, where it’s all-in on French-style vin.

17. Stargaze at Mudgee Observatory

Under dark night skies, away from any light pollution, a visit to the Mudgee Observatory will put stars in your eyes. This private observatory built by John Vetter invites everyone to gaze upwards through the lens of a telescope and tap into a wonder for the universe in which we live. There are a range of telescopes as well as a theatre and planetarium, where you can watch several features about space and beyond on rotation. Tours change seasonally and bookings are essential.

18. Go cherry picking at Roth Family Orchard

If you’re visiting Mudgee in summer, you’ll have the pick of the season’s cherries any morning of the week with a visit to Roth Family Orchard. You’ll need to book ahead to frolic amid the cherry trees and pick your fill of the plump and juicy fruit that is in abundance from about November. The kids will relish the experience, so be prepared to leave with red-stained mouths, fingers and clothes. When the cherry season concludes, you can visit the farm at sunset to pluck your own sunflowers.

19. Picnic in Lawson Park

Mudgee Sculpture Walk in lawson park — Stroll through the sculpture walk while you’re there.

With an abundance of produce and providore-procured goodies to harvest on your excursions around town, a picnic seems just the thing for a sunny lunch – particularly in autumn when the leaves glow with hues of gold. Head to the beautifully historic Lawson Park to roll out your rug and relax under the canopy of vast trees over a leisurely few hours. There are free barbecue facilities, picnic tables, and a tranquil creek amid the gardens. If you have wee ones in tow, they’ll love the playground and adjacent pool and waterpark.

20. Admire motorbikes at Robert Stein

See the expansive motorbike collection at Robert Stein's cellar door. — See the expansive motorbike collection at Robert Stein’s cellar door. (Image: Destination NSW)

Get your motor running with a poke about the motorbike museum located at the Robert Stein cellar door. Winery founder, Robert Stein, began his motorbike collection with a 1928 Douglas. From there, it has expanded over 40 years in parallel with his eponymous wine label. Even if you’re not a fan of bikes, we recommend a visit to this winery for a tasting and some well-considered nibbles that feature Stein Farm produce, but if you have a heavy metal heart, you can’t miss this collection.

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

20 of the very best things to do in Mudgee