What once may have been a sleepy country town has woken from its slumber and, in true Sleeping Beauty-style, is now better and more beautiful than ever.
Taking the lead from its tourism-savvy older sibling, otherwise known as the Hunter Valley, Central NSW is fast becoming a weekend favourite for Sydneysiders looking to escape the hustle and bustle for a couple of days (and especially those who enjoy a tipple or two).
On the road
Just a 3.5hr drive from Sydney, Mudgee has everything the weekend warrior wants in a short break – namely fantastic coffee, amazing restaurants, sweet boutiques and let’s not forget the wonderful wine, all with a touch of the kind of country charm you’d expect from, well, the country (meaning lots of open spaces, a view of the stars at night and not a traffic light in sight).
It was the local produce that won me over and, luckily staying right in the heart of town, anything we wanted was literally right at our doorstep.
Delicious!
While I could go on for hours about this quaint slice of true Australiana, I’ve compiled the top 5 list of things you must do/see/visit while you’re in Mudgee:
• Mudgee Farmers Markets: Held on the third Saturday of every month on the grounds of St Mary’s Catholic Church, you’ll find the best of local produce including cheeses, wines, olive oil, sourdough, sweets and pretty much anything your palate desires.
Who could resist?
• Roth’s Wine Bar: A city-style watering hole with live music on Friday and Saturday nights and a tapas menu for sharing over a bottle (or two) of one of the local wines.
• Deer Mudgee: A beautifully chic boutique that has everything a fashion-forward gal lusts over. With labels like Finders Keepers, Camilla, Sass and Bide and The Mode Collective, Deer Mudgee pays homage to Australian design and style.
Deer Mudgee
• Robert Stein: A winery/vineyard/motorcycle museum where the grapes are grown, matured and bottled all on site. It was also the winner of Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine’s Best Small Cellar Door award for 2014. Enough said.
• Alby & Esthers: This place could possibly be the hidden gem of town. Tucked away at the end of an arcade, the café-come-wine bar serves delicious meals and coffee during the day and becomes a great place for an evening drink on Friday and Saturday nights. Sit inside in the warmth or outside in the garden, the choice is yours!
Alby & Esthers
So now that your itinerary is sorted, there’s no better time to head to Mudgee than the Mudgee Food And Wine Festival, 12 September – 6 October. Plan your perfect getaway on www.lastminute.com.au!
Love Mudgee? Leave your tips in the comments.