Flights to Bikes: The Top Mudgee Wine Tours To Experience

Make the most of your visit to the vineyards around Mudgee with the following wine tours and experiences.

Described by Lonely Planet’s Wine Trails, Australia & New Zealand as a ‘region on the rise’, Mudgee takes its name from the Wiradjuri word ‘moothi’, which means ‘nest in the hills’ referring to its position on the flanks of the Great Dividing Range.

With its viticultural history stretching back to 1858, the Mudgee wine region, built around buttery chardonnays, robust shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, is according to the Mudgee Wine Association, also branching out and creating ‘new’ Australian styles of riesling, barbera, sangiovese, tempranillo, vermentino and pinot grigio.

Squeeze every drop out of your weekend getaway by taking up these top Mudgee wine tours and experiences.

1. Learn from the experts at Mudgee Wine & Country Tours

Take the guesswork out of planning your perfect weekend in Mudgee wine country by leaving your itinerary up to the experts at Mudgee Wine & Country Tours .

vehicles lined up for Mudgee Wine & Country Tours — Embark on a full-day wine tour with Mudgee Wine & Country Tours.

Indulge your oenophilia by booking a full-day wine tour with the family-run company that has six Mudgee cellar doors on the list as well as a long lunch in a vineyard.

After picking you up from your accommodation, your knowledgeable guide will teach you wine-tasting terms and their meaning, wine-tasting etiquette, and what makes the fertile Mudgee wine country so magical.

girls having fun during Mudgee Wine & Country Tours — Hop between six cellar doors on a full-day tour and enjoy a long lunch.

2. Cycle your way around Mudgee

Meander around Mudgee by bike by following a one-day self-guided tour with Tour de Vines or take it up a few notches with a Cycling Mudgee package that includes three different tiers of accommodation: Local, Comfy and Luxury.

a couple cycling around he scenic vineyards with Tour De Vines, Mudgee — Cycle the scenic vineyards with Tour De Vines.

There are more than 35 cellar doors in and around Mudgee and the self-guided and group cycling tours mapped out for you are designed to take in some of this stunning terroir. Best of all: if your tyre is flat or you have over-indulged at Logan’s Wines, the Tour De Vines team are on hand to pick you up.

The easy, self-guided cycling tour on quiet country back roads will steer you around some of Mudgee’s lesser-known wineries and cellar doors and on to a wine bar said to be Australia’s oldest.

Couple cycling Mudgee vineyards with Tour De Vines — Tour De Vines also offers a pick-up service if you’ve enjoyed your tastings a little too much.

3. Understand how to best appreciate Mudgee wines

A Vigneron Experience at the 1850s-era stallion stable that is now part of the De Beaurepaire Wines’ cellar door ranks as one of the best ways to experience wine in the sub-region of Rylstone, 45 minutes from Mudgee.

the entrance to De Beaurepaire Wines Tasting Room inRylstone — Travel to the charming town of Rylstone to visit De Beaurepaire Wines. (Image: Destination NSW)

The De Beaurepaire family established their first winery in Australia in the 1970s and drew on their Burgundy heritage to produce highly regarded French-style wines.

a couple exploring the vineyard at De Beaurepaire Wines, Rylstone — Soak up the beauty of the vineyard at De Beaurepaire Wines. (Image: Destination NSW)

Although visitors can choose from three exclusive vineyard experiences, it’s the Vigneron Experience that is most immersive. The private tour for two to six people goes for 90 minutes and includes a tour of the vineyard with someone from the De Beaurepaire family and finishes with a private tasting amid the vines.

a 170-year-old sandstone stable at De Beaurepaire Wines — The Vigneron Experience is held inside a reimagined 170-year-old sandstone stable. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Time your visit to coincide with annual food and wine festivals

Mudgee, located just three-and-a-half hours’ northwest of Sydney, is the first Australian wine region to be known for organic wine thanks to pioneering work done at Botobolar Wine. That’s one of many reasons for conscious travellers to celebrate the region, which was first established as a wine-growing area by a German viticulturist named Roth in the 1830s.

Although it’s best known for its robust red wines, Mudgee is also known for its food and the best of the region’s bounty can be enjoyed at Mudgee’s signature events, from Go Tasting to Go Grazing and Flavours of Mudgee .

a festival held at Flavours of Mudgee — Celebrate the culinary traditions of the region with Flavours of Mudgee.

5. Visit Mudgee’s original vineyard

There’s a lot to be said for lounging on the lawn at Lowe Family Wine Co. which has become a destination in its own right. This Mudgee mecca is a must-stop during a winery weekender, with the hybrid hub offering everything from twilight tapas to guided farm tours, long dinners under a canopy of vines in the Tunnel of Lowe bush chapel, and garden gigs attracting some of Australia’s best musicians.

the sprawling vineyards at Lowe Wines & Co. — There is always a new reason to revisit Lowe Family Wines Co. (Image: Destination NSW)

Zin House is one of the best places to eat in Mudgee, and the accommodation offered here is also on point, making it one of the most luxurious places to stay in the region too.

friends dining at the Zin House Restaurant, Lowe Wines, Mudgee — Lowe’s organic wines are also served at the onsite restaurant, Zin House. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Tour together with Mudgee Explorer Tours

If you’ve gathered a gaggle of oenophiles and it’s suddenly become all too unwieldy to herd everyone in the same direction, book yourselves onto a tour with Mudgee Explorer Tours . A fully organised tour complete with knowledgeable guides, this is the way to delegate a good time among the vines. With half- and full-day tours and a one-hour orientation tour on offer, you can choose your level of immersion. The full-day stretches over 6.5 hours with visits to five to six wineries, while the half-day checks out three wineries in three hours, both include snacks and drinking water and each stop is pre-booked for you. With a fleet of 8 buses and 10 guides, Mudgee Explorer Tours can accommodate large gatherings, such as hens and bucks parties, as easily as small groups.

7. Get chauffeured around by Mudgee VIP Wine Tours

Wear some comfortable kicks while channelling your favourite Kardashian with Mudgee VIP Wine Tours ’ local guide Alyson Scarbrow. Alyson has extensive knowledge of local wines and wineries and loves to share her passion for talking terroir and demonstrating why Mudgee wines are so distinct. Alyson has been in the Mudgee wine industry for 14 years after moving to the region in 2006, where she managed the cellar door at both Petersons Winery and Huntington Estate.

an aerial view of vehicles driving across the scenic vineyard landscape, Mudgee VIP Wine Tours — Learn why the region’s wines are so distinctive with Mudgee VIP Wine Tours.

Mudgee VIP Wine Tours will take you to the region’s best wineries, including Logan Wines.

a van driving along a vineyard, Mudgee VIP Wine Tours — Absorb the wealth of knowledge shared during the tour.

Logan’s Wines is one of five wineries Alyson loops in on her full-day tour and the option to enjoy a tasting experience here is a highlight for keen quaffers as it looks over the terraced vineyards that tumble down to Appletree Flat.

the scenic landscape in Logan Wines, Mudgee — Take in the lofty vistas of Logan Wines. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Wine and flights with Mudgee Tourist Bus

If you fancy a wine flight with, well, an actual flight, you can splash out on a wine tour by air. Mudgee Tourist Bus offers a wine tour and scenic flight package that lifts you up and over the countryside for a view that puts the region into beautiful perspective. Included on the eight-hour tour is a half-hour scenic flight and stops at five-to-seven wineries in the region, as well as pick-up and drop-off to your accommodation. You’ll need a minimum of four flyers for lift-off.

a helicopter and van for wine tour, Mudgee Tourist Bus — Hop on a wine tour by air or land with the Mudgee Tourist Bus.

For more travel tips and expert advice, read our Mudgee travel guide.

Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.

Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.

From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.

vegetables in a basket at Bells Garden at Bells At Killcare — From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)

Central Coast oyster experiences

From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.

But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast , however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.

Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours . Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.

guests in the water for an experience at Sydney Oyster Farm - Central Coast food — Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)

Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed . Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.

shucking oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)

Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit

While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.

Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.

Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s .

If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.

woman picking oranges at Oranges at Dooralong — Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)

Organic dining

What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.

The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.

Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics . Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.

farmers holding fresh produce picked at Fanelli Organics — See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.

Paddock-to-plate dining

High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.

Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.

woman writing in notebook next to a table of food at Saddles, Central Coast food — Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)

Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare . One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.

Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.

cocktail at Bells At Killcare — Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)

Plan your next visit to the delicious Central Coast.

8 memorable Mudgee wine tours that offer more than just transport