Mudgee

Mudgee NSW 2850 (Pop 8 600)

Mudgee is a Central West wine growing town on the Cudgegong River 261 km n-w of Sydney. Original inhabitants were the Wiradjuri Aboriginals who called the area ‘Moothi’ meaning ‘nest in the hills’ - an apt description. European settlement began in 1820s and  was boosted by nearby goldrushes in 1851. As gold declined, sheep studs, agriculture and vineyards came into their own particularly with the coming of the railway in 1884. Mudgee Wine Festival (Sept).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historic Mudgee includes the old Police Station and Stables (1860), St. Matthew’s Convent (1874), the Post Office (1862), Memorial Park (historical headstones moved from Blackman Park 1844-88), Australian Joint Stock Bank (1865), Colonial Mecca Building (1850’s) and St. Mary’s Catholic Church Presbytery (1851). Flirtation Hill Lookout, scenic views over town. Colonial Inn Museum, Market St (formerly the West End Hotel built in 1856) consists of rooms recreated in 1870s style, agricultural equipment and historic photographic collection. Open (2pm-5pm) Sat/school holidays & (10am-5pm) Sun/ public holidays.  

Nearby:
The Wallaby Track drive includes a number of sites associated with Henry Lawson, one of Australia’s most famous poets and writers (1867-1922) including the old Eurunderee School, the Henry Lawson Memorial, Sapling Gully, Golden Gully and the site of the Albury Pub owned by Lawson's grandfather. Windermere Dam (24 km s-e) variety of watersports, camping and trout fishing. Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve (30 km n-e) This 6 000 ha reserve is a birdwatcher’s mecca with over 160 species and an easy km walking track, The Castle Rock with spectacular rock formation scenery. Hargraves (39 km s-w) old goldmining town famous for the discovery of a huge nugget in 1851. Wineries. As Mudgee is one of Australia’s important wine growing regions, wineries are to be found all around the town and surrounding countryside.

Accommodation:
Mudgee has 10 motels, 6 hotels, almost 30 B&Bs, 24 holiday cabins/cottages, 2 farmstays and 3 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: 84 Market St. Tel (02) 6372 1020 or 1800 816 304.

Airport:
Mudgee Aerodrome (DGE) off the Ulan Road, Buckaroo. Tel (02) 6372 1290. (4 km -e of CBD).

Hospital:
Mudgee Health Service, Mears St. Tel (02) 6378 6222.