Orange versus Mudgee: which town comes out on top?

Carla GrossettiBy Carla Grossetti
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A road trip to Orange or Mudgee is both an escape to the country and a delightfully wine-fuelled weekend. But is it possible to choose between the two towns, if you really had to?

While there are plenty of gorgeous towns across Australia, Mudgee and Orange are part of a region all too often overlooked for NSW’s more obvious gems. But for those of us in the know, the real conundrum is deciding the case between Orange versus Mudgee. We take a deep dive into both towns to see how each one stacks up in the following categories:

Here’s our rundown of what to expect in the case of Orange versus Mudgee.

The location

Orange

Although the regional towns of Mudgee and Orange in NSW’s Central West are about two hours apart, they are both about three and a half to four hours from Sydney. Set off just after dawn to see the Blue Mountains under a layer of pink gauze at dawn, then slice off the highway at Bathurst, bound for Orange. The sophisticated country town is all charm, jam-packed with things to do amid vineyards, farms and forests that unfurl all around.

Vineyards, Orange, Central NSW, Australia
Orange is all charm, jam-packed with things to do amid vineyards, farms and forests that unfurl all around. (Image: Destination NSW)

Mudgee

Drive for about four hours west of Sydney through the Blue Mountains and you will find yourself in a pleasant patchwork of countryside, with rich green and ruddy farmland broken by long lines of towering gums.

Leave the highway at Lithgow where the traffic slows and you will see haystacks, like giant nests of wool, and the smooth folds of pasture laid out like a blanket. The primary colour palette changes in the Mudgee Region according to the seasons, and admiring the foliage from autumn through to spring has become one of many reasons to book a weekend getaway – especially if it is romance you seek.

Streetscapes of Mudgee, NSW, Australia
Find yourself in a pleasant patchwork of countryside. (Image: Destination NSW)

The wineries

Orange

Orange is regarded as one of Australia’s best wine districts and generally, that’s what visitors to the region come here for. Orange has an altitude of 862 metres and a headlong excursion into the region starts at cool-climate wineries, from the new cellar door at Printhie Wines to the spectacular views of Gaanha bula (Mount Canobolas) at Swinging Bridge Wines, a little piece of paradise.

Scenic country views across Borrodell Vineyard, Canobolas
See spectacular views of Mount Canobolas from Borrodell Vineyard. (Image: Destination NSW)

While the region’s modern wine industry was pioneered by a few trailblazers who planted wine grapes in the early 1980s, many of the area’s original orchards such as Borrodell Vineyard and Brangayne also diversified into grape-growing in the ’90s. Rikard Wines, Mayfield Vineyards and ChaLou Wines all opened new cellar doors in 2021 and Printhie Wines also opened a restaurant helmed by head chef Jack Brown (ex-Berowra Waters Inn). Still, want to know more? Read our guide to the best wineries in Orange.

Private Cellar & Dining Room, Printhie Wines, NSW, Australia
For a more intimate affair, Printhie Wines has a private cellar door and dining room.

Mudgee

Most of the boutique vineyards in the Mudgee Region feel warm and intimate, regardless of their size.

From the plush, worn couches and terrace overlooking the vines sewn into the earth at Lowe Family Wine Co. – which is aiming to be 100 per cent off-grid – to the experience of sipping on French-style wines at the rustic cellar door at De Beaurepaire Wines, housed in 170-year-old sandstone stables, the magic of the Mudgee Region lies in the fact that every experience seems to be underpinned by passion: a passion for the environment, landscape and community.

Lowe Family Wine Co., Mudgee, NSW, Australia
Lowe Family Wine Co. is one of Mudgee’s best wineries.

Visitors to the rolling hills and valleys around the Mudgee Region will notice the impossibly fertile land, most visible in the overlaid embroidery of the vineyards on land that is also laced with ancient Indigenous stories.

Plot your winery weekend to include visits to our pick of Mudgee’s best wineries, including Lowe Family Wine Co, The Cellar by Gilbert, Logan Wines, De Beaurepaire Cellar Doors, Moothi Estate, and Rosby Wines & Gallery.

Wine glasses, Moothi Estate, Mudgee, NSW, Australia
Plot your winery weekend to include a visit to Moothi Estate.

The dining scene

Orange

There are more than 60 vineyard wineries in Orange and surrounds but the region is also known for its incredible produce, both of which are the focus of Australia’s longest-running regional food festival, Orange F.O.O.D. Week , held in April each year.

In addition to the celebration lunches and dinners on offer during the food and wine event, visitors can bounce between restaurants where you might find a hatted chef grilling grass-fed meat farmed 100 metres from your table or chat one-on-one with a winemaker over a menu paired with local wines.

Orange F.O.O.D. Week, Orange, NSW, Australia
Don’t miss Orange F.O.O.D. Week, Australia’s longest-running regional food festival. (Image: Destination NSW)

In Orange, there are a lot more eateries to choose from than Mudgee. Start with coffee at any of the cafes lining Orange’s streets, we like Factory Espresso a sleek local haunt that is a smashed avo oasis for weekend cyclists who want to work off all of that regional good living.

Head to Groundstone or one of Orange’s top restaurants for lunch and pop into the pubs and bars like the Lord Anson Public House and The Union Bank for classic English pub grub.

Factory Espresso, Orange, NSW, Australia
Start with coffee at Factory Espresso, a sleek local haunt. (Image Destination NSW)

Mudgee

The Mudgee Region is an oasis of amazing food and wine in the broad fertile Cudgegong River valley in Central West NSW. Amid swirling and sipping your way around the region’s rustic cellar doors, you must allow time to picnic on lawns at Lowe Family Wine Co. overlooking the substantial vineyard, or in The Zin House.

Interiors, Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant, Mudgee, NSW, Australia
Pipeclay Pumphouse is also one of the best places to eat in Mudgee. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Mowgee clan of the Wiradjuri nation were singing, dancing, painting and feasting in the Mudgee Region for thousands of years and the Warakirri Dining Experience pays homage to that history with an immersive bush tucker feast.

Pipeclay Pumphouse is also one of the best places to eat in Mudgee, as is 29 nine 99 (considered the best yum cha in the Central West), and Alby + Esthers, a cute-as coffee and wine bar hidden inside a stone terrace built circa 1873 – also a great place for brunch. The Mudgee Corner Store also accommodates the expectations of city slickers with great coffee and the option to get your fix of local produce, jams and preserves.

Alby & Esthers, Mudgee, Central NSW, Australia
Try Alby + Esthers, a cute-as coffee and wine bar hidden inside a stone terrace. (Image: Destination NSW)

The nightlife

Orange

It’s only fitting that Orange has a burgeoning bar scene dedicated to sampling said nectar everywhere from country pubs such as The Gladstone Hotel, which turns on the charm, to the Borrodell SkyBar overlooking the estate’s orchard and vineyard.

Orange also has the beloved Blind Pig Sound Lounge and Bar, which as well as being a safe space for the LGBTQI+ community, has been changing in increments over the years, merging local music, wines and beers and fresh produce into the one venue.

Then there are the town’s sophisticated tasting experiences, such as Barrel & Larder, where groups of up to 12 gourmands gather to watch a local chef prepare a meal to be matched with Ross Hill wines.

The seasonal gins at Parrot Distilling Co. are also something to squawk about and Badlands Brewery is one of the best distilleries and breweries in Orange. Ferment is a good option for drinks before dinner as it’s a one-stop shop for local wines.

Parrot Distilling Co, Orange
The seasonal gins at Parrot Distilling Co. are also something to squawk about. (Image: Destination NSW; Amy Barrington)

Mudgee

The amenity of the Mudgee Region has vastly improved over the past decade or so as tree-changers descending on the Central West create demand for sophisticated bars such as Roth’s Wine Bar + Cellar.

The Three Tails Brewery is where you will find everyone from hardened bushies to corporate types celebrating their ‘Escape to the Country’ epiphany. Mudgee’s home of craft beer has a main bar, and Smokin’ Bro & Co smokehouse, which has brought the best of Texas barbecue to Mudgee, where smoked meats are cooked low and slow.

The Woolpack Hotel is located in the heart of Mudgee’s CBD and the whole place pops and rattles on a Friday night for happy hour with indoor and outdoor options and a big screen in the garden. Kelly’s Irish Pub is all richly dark inside like a proper pub and bright and breezy on The Balcony Bar, where the tiny town centre is spread out below.

Woolpack Hotel, Mudgee, NSW, Australia
The Woolpack Hotel is located in the heart of Mudgee’s CBD. (Image: Destination NSW)

Family-friendly activities

Orange

City kids will love buying apples directly from a grower with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows at the markets in Orange and its surrounds. The monthly Orange Farmers Market where the whole family can forage for healthy snacks. Lake Canobolas Reserve also supports a range of family-friendly activities such as cycling, sailing, canoeing, walking, swimming and dragon boating.

BYO torch to the Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve  to see ancient limestone caves lit up at night, or visit the newly renovated Orange Regional Gallery  which is a hub for arts in the central west.

Couple enjoying food tastings from local farms at the Orange Farmers Market, Orange, NSW, Australia
The whole family can forage for healthy snacks at Orange Farmers Market. (Image: Destination NSW)

Mudgee

The family-friendly activities on offer in Mudgee feel a bit more under the radar than what’s offered in Orange. You will certainly feel a sense of achievement as a parent when you take your kids to kayak the spectacular Ganguddy , pan for gold at the Gulgong Gold Experience or taste honey straight from a hive at Mudgee Honey Haven.

The landscape around Mudgee has a soft look about it. It’s here, amid the green of the trees, under the blue of the sky that you can look for birds in the Putta Bucca Wetlands, see hand stencils made by the Wiradjuri people, and teach your children to appreciate the rock formations dotted around Ferntree Gully or one of the many walks around the region .

The town centre is sectioned into orderly squares and has no traffic lights and is great for wandering in and out of boutiques and homeware stores with shopaholic teens.

Woman enjoying an afternoon kayak through Ganguddy (Dunns Swamp) in Wollemi National Park, Mudgee, NSW, Australia
Go kayak the spectacular Ganguddy. (Image: Destination NSW)

Romance factor

Orange

Active couples will enjoy tackling the Orange Villages Bicycle Trail , a six-stage, 360-kilometre cycling journey designed to showcase the Central West. The ride starts and ends in Orange, where you will also find opportunities for romance while on a food and wine tour with Country Food Trails , or during an intimate cooking class at A table of 10 .

Orange F.O.O.D. Week is one of Australia’s longest-running food and wine festivals and is ripe for romantic experiences. Enjoy a dreamy private picnic at Heifer Station Winery, dinner and a gig at the Agrestic Grocer or an intimate table for two at award-winning Lolli Redini.

Heifer Station Winery, Orange, NSW, Australia
Have a dreamy private picnic at Heifer Station Winery. (Image: Destination NSW)

Doe-eyed duos will also enjoy the Orange Chamber Music Festival , which includes a line-up of local and international artists playing at a variety of locations and the Orange Winter Jazz Festival  slated for the June Long weekend. Take your squeeze to Orange and you will find a raft of luxury accommodation options.

Gig, Agrestic Grocer, Orange, NSW, Australia
Go to a gig at the Agrestic Grocer. (Image: Destination NSW)

Mudgee

Part of the romance of Mudgee is just being in the town itself, where the friendliness of the locals has made it a must-visit destination. When the weather is cooperative, hire an e-bike from Ezyride Mudgee to help you navigate your way around the Mudgee Region using its bike paths and recommended routes.

Balloon Aloft over vineyards of Mudgee, NSW, Australia
A hot-air balloon rides can help you better appreciate the lacquered green landscape. (Image: Destination NSW)

Forget Heart Reef. Balloon Aloft operates heart-shaped hot-air balloon rides so you can better appreciate the lacquered green landscape, and the blue of the sky. Follow up with a private tasting for two at your accommodation organised by Exclusively Mudgee and keep it casual with a relaxed cooking class at The Little Cooking School .

Want to impress your other half? Book dinner at The Zin House, which overlooks the vineyards off to distant mountains, covered in wrinkled green quilts, and is full of couples whispering in little nooks. Mudgee is sectioned into orderly squares so it’s easy to get around on foot if you’re into shopping.

Private tasting at Exclusively Mudgee, NSW, Australia
Follow up with a private tasting organised by Exclusively Mudgee.

Accommodation offering

Orange

Orange has been established as a tourism destination for decades, so the infrastructure is there to support a stay. From adults-only glamping at Nashdale Lane on the grounds of a 24-hectare vineyard to the dinky Dragonfly Cottages, there are plenty of accommodation options to help you plan the perfect weekend retreat in Orange.

Couple enjoying a glamping experience at Nashdale Lane Wines, Orange, NSW, Australia
Go glamping on the grounds of a 24-hectare vineyard at Nashdale Lane. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Byng Street Boutique Hotel has a sumptuous king-size bed, fireplace and large private balcony, and the Canopy Loft at the beautiful elevated winery, Mortimers Wines offers views across the valley and a great cellar-door experience.

Book the Ultimate Wine Escape at The Rowlee Vineyard Villa and you will be treated to a tasting of Rowlee wines made from the grapes surrounding the accommodation. End your time in Orange enjoying a few tipples at Lakeview Luxury Retreat, which features three award-winning, eco-friendly penthouse suites or at de Russie Boutique Hotel where you can stroll away your Sunday afternoon.

Vine to table experience at Rowlee Wines, Nashdale, Orange, NSW, Australia
Be treated to a tasting of Rowlee wines made from the grapes surrounding the accommodation. (Image: Destination NSW)

Mudgee

Less is more when it comes to finding accommodation in Mudgee for a grape escape. And what this means is that the scope for a bush backdrop is bigger, and those smudges of colour from swathes of grey-green countryside are all around.

You will feel your shoulders soften the second you kick off your shoes at Strikes Mudgee, which looks out over the lucerne flats of Bunnamagoo Estate and over expansive horizons and towering skies that seem to go on forever.

The three luxurious eco tents at Evamor Valley also maximise the views over the Mudgee Region, as do the four luxury bell tents at Glenayr Farm, a 130-hectare working farm – and one of our top picks for a glamping stay in Mudgee.

Aerial overlooking the scenic property at Bunnamagoo Estate Wines, Mudgee, NSW, Australia
Kick off your shoes at Strikes Mudgee, which looks out over Bunnamagoo Estate. (Image: Destination NSW)

If having a hatted restaurant at your doorstep appeals, then staying in the Shed by Zin should be on your radar after a day of wine tasting. Like most accommodation options in Mudgee, it makes for an atmospheric base to explore the region.

Sierra Escape is now a destination in its own right, after winning three Gold Awards at the NSW Tourism Awards.

Chef Kim Currie at her restaurant The Zin House in Eurunderee, near Mudgee
If having a hatted restaurant at your doorstep appeals, then staying in the Shed by Zin should be on your radar. (Image: Destination NSW)

The verdict: Orange versus Mudgee

How do the two towns stack up when compared in the above categories? It’s like comparing an apple with, ahem, an orange. Each region has its own charm and offers perfect weekend getaways in wine country that are around four hours from Sydney. The diplomatic response to the Orange versus Mudgee debate is: do both. We think you’ll come to the same conclusion.

Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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The ultimate new summer guide for the Sutherland Shire

    Gemma KaczerepaBy Gemma Kaczerepa
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    Sunshine, sea breezes and sand-speckled locals: the Sutherland Shire is perfect for an idyllic Sydney summer.

    The Sutherland Shire is one of Sydney’s most dynamic regions. Home to an eclectic mix of top-notch eateries and drinking holes, a flourishing arts scene, and striking land and seascapes, it’s a haven for foodies, culture seekers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

    It’s also an ever-evolving destination with a constant wave of new places to eat and drink, and under-the-radar pockets to explore – many of which are dog-friendly.

    If you’re venturing to this gorgeous part of the world this summer, here’s your guide to what’s new and worth discovering.

    Savour the summer dining scene

    Fred’s After Hours on the sutherland shire
    Pop into Fred’s After Hours.

    The Shire’s buzzing dining scene is one of its biggest drawcards, and many of the region’s culinary highlights can be found in the sun-soaked beachside hub of Cronulla. A bunch of newcomers have recently set up shop, making the area ripe for culinary adventure.

    Homer Rogue Taverna is exactly as its name suggests: a cheeky take on classic Greek food. Expect meze and mains bursting with bold flavours and a wine list packed with standout Greek drops.

    Freds Providore – a Cronulla favourite for casual cafe fare and excellent coffee – is now open late from Thursday to Sunday. Come sundown, it morphs into Fred’s After Hours, serving a refined European-inspired menu, wines, cocktails and a laid-back yet polished vibe.

    Bobbys is a slick destination right on Cronulla Beach, where you can grab a plate of freshly-caught seafood and a summery cocktail while cooling off in the sea breeze.

    And if you’re after a bit of everything, the sprawling and multifaceted Parc Pavilion is a melting pot of dining experiences. It blends a cafe, bistro, bar, Italian restaurant and a host of regular events, all tied together in a cool coastal setting.

    Got a Saturday morning to spare? The Shire Farmers Market in Sutherland is a must-do ritual, letting you (and your four-legged friend) browse fresh produce, flowers and gourmet treats against a backdrop of live music and local chatter.

    Dive into ocean pools

    ocean pool on the sutherland shire
    The ocean pools beckon.

    Given its prime coastal positioning, the Shire teems with crystal-clear ocean pools and enclosed bathing spots. Silver Beach Tidal Baths offers a netted
    swimming experience in Botany Bay. Tucked beside a small sandy beach, the tidal baths at Gunnamatta Park are calm and shallow – making them an ideal setting for less confident swimmers.

    Just a hop and a skip away is Shelly Park Ocean Pool, a magical rock pool carved in the ocean. It’s well-suited to young kids and offers sweeping views towards the open sea.

    Experience local arts and culture

    Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Hazel Kitchen & Bar has curated the ultimate picnic experience
    See the art at Hazelhurst Arts Centre, then enjoy a picnic with or without your pooch.

    Hazelhurst Arts Centre in Gymea is elegantly positioned within a lush garden landscape, serving as the Sutherland Shire’s premier destination for arts and culture. This summer, experience the Art on Paper Award 2025 – a celebration of innovation and creativity through the versatile medium of paper.

    Set within the leafy surrounds of Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Hazel Kitchen & Bar has curated the ultimate picnic experience. Think abundant cheese platters, artisan charcuterie boards, fresh OJ and a thoughtfully chosen wine list, all available to take away and enjoy in the art-filled gardens just beyond the restaurant. Best of all, four-legged friends are welcome to join the fun.

    Next, venture south to the artsy village of Bundeena for the monthly Bundeena and Maianbar Art Trail . This self-guided journey through local artists’ studios offers a glimpse into their work and creative spaces.

    Relish the dog-friendly atmosphere

    a dog on Greenhills Dog Beach sutherland shire
    Let the dog off-leash at Greenhills Dog Beach.

    The Sutherland Shire is a bona fide playground for pups and their humans. Find a string of dog-friendly beaches popular with locals, visitors and pups alike. Silver Beach in Kurnell is a peaceful pocket, allowing dogs off-leash without restriction. While Horderns Beach in Bundeena and Greenhills Beach in Cronulla are equally serene and provide off-leash access (be sure to check times and seasonal restrictions before you go).

    If you’re planning to make a weekend of it, book yourself and your pooch into Quest Cronulla . With stylish and spacious pet-friendly accommodation, thoughtful amenities, and a prime location just steps from Cronulla Esplanade and a variety of dog-friendly cafes, it’s the perfect spot to rest after a full day of exploring.

    Get into nature

    Sunrise at Curracurrong Falls and Eagle Rock in the Royal National Park, Sydney.
    Find natural beauty in Royal National Park. (Image: Destination NSW)

    You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor escapes: imagine rugged bushwalks, breezy beachside tracks, meandering cycling trails and lookouts galore. The best part? Many of them are perfectly suited to dogs.

    Take your canine to Cronulla Esplanade – the Shire’s version of the famed Bondi to Coogee Walk. This eight-kilometre route takes you past the region’s most picturesque beaches, offering panoramic vistas and an electric energy. It heaves with locals every morning and weekend, getting their steps in with a coffee in one hand and a dog leash in the other.

    If you’re travelling without furry friends, stop by the Royal National Park. You’ll be engulfed in ancient bushland, craggy cliffs, towering rock formations, diverse wildlife and twisting tracks. The Jibbon Loop Track is a highlight, with spectacular views over the sea. Alternatively, the Karloo Track forms a loop that winds through untamed bush, freshwater pools and waterfalls. Re-lace your walking shoes or grab a bike to follow The Bundeena Drive to Marley  Walk  past freshwater pools and creeks, on to scenic beach views of Little Marley Beach.

    Hit up the beautiful beaches

    aerial of cronulla beach and esplanade
    Enjoy postcard-perfect beaches. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The stretch along Cronulla bursts with postcard-perfect beaches, each offering a different flavour. With rolling waves, regular patrol and a steady stream of beachgoers, Cronulla Beach and North Cronulla Beach are buzzy and built for all kinds of swimmers. Elouera Beach is a quieter option, attracting early-morning surfers hoping to catch the perfect wave.

    If you prefer a side of dramatic scenery, visit Wanda or Greenhills – in addition to ocean panoramas, both are backed by towering golden dunes and wild scrub. Looking for something more subdued? Shelly Beach Ocean Pool is a relaxed – yet no less captivating – retreat.

    Start planning your Sutherland Shire summer at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.