Every now and again you find a place that’s way better than you thought it would be. Mudgee is definitely one of those places. In fact it’s so nice, you should go there right now, and I’ll tell you why…
Mudgee is a quiet little town about 3 ½ hours north-west of Sydney. It’s not really on the road to anywhere and nothing’s really on the road to it either. 9,000-odd souls call Mudgee home and the nearest city – Dubbo – is over an hour and a half away. So why would you live there?
For starters the views are incredible. Rolling hills and escarpments, farmland and grape vines are everywhere you look… and it’s the farms and the vines that makes this a very special little town indeed.
Near-perfect conditions for growing food and grapes has turned this tiny town into a foodie’s Mecca. Through careful self-promotion and provenance, the Mudgeans (I don’t think that’s right) have made their home a very desirable place to visit – maybe even move to.
With over 45 cellar doors currently operating, Mudgee has an excellent wine industry. It has the oldest chardonnay grape vines in Australia, and it’s home to Roth’s – a wine bar with the country’s longest running liquor licence (since 1923).
But apart from all these general statements, what’s all the urgency about?
5 reasons why you need to go to Mudgee immediately
1. Get a dose of friendly in you
Everyone (and I mean everyone) is incredibly friendly, helpful and proud of their town. Mudgee makes places like the Hunter Valley and the Barossa Valley feel like war zones! And compared to Mudgee, Sydney is a zombie apocalypse!
I’m serious. We visited Logan Wines’ cellar door on our first day. Later, we saw the lady who’d served us at dinner that night. Far from ignoring us like I probably would, she came over and talked to us! They’re so friendly, and what makes the difference: they’re being genuine about it.
We came back from Mudgee feeling so upbeat, and I know it wasn’t just because of the great food and drink. All that positivity rubs off on you, you know.
2. Flavours of Mudgee
Flavours of Mudgee* is a big crazy street festival starting at 4pm Saturday 27th September right in the middle of Mudgee’s town centre. Chairs and tables are set right in the main street where visitors and locals alike can sample the local food and wine in this unique setting. Don’t worry, they close the road off to traffic!
3. The Local Plate Competition
The Local Plate* is an annual contest where various restaurants and wineries around Mudgee compete to see who can produce the most delicious, elaborate food platter. The contest showcases each establishment’s skills but also the skills of local provedores.
It also sets a challenge for eating them all too!
The Local Plate is running until 6th October.
4. Farmers’ Markets
The Mudgee Farmers’ Markets happen monthly at the same time as the regular weekly markets (which aren’t quite as spectacular).
In the truest sense of its name, the Farmers’ Markets has a huge array of different produce for sale, all sold by those who grow, gather and create it. The market’s authenticity is regulated by the strict stipulation that it must only contain local produce.
The next Farmers’ Markets are September 20th then October 4th and after that the 3rd Saturday of every month. 8.30am – 12.30pm St Mary’s Catholic Church Grounds.
5. Baby animals everywhere!
It is spring in Mudgee, which means the fields are full of bouncing lambs, nuzzling calves and very cute joeys. As we pulled up to our accommodation – the Mudgee Homestead Guesthouse – there were loads of kangaroos with their joeys standing there staring at us. Mrs Romance was astounded: “are they statues?” she asked. Bless her. She got very excited when a joey climbed into its mother’s pouch!
So get your skates on a get over to Mudgee before all these amazing things stop until next year. It’s really not that far to drive to from Sydney, and there’s only one really boring bit of road you need to drive between about Blaxland and Eastern Creek. It’s so worth it!
Have you ever been to Mudgee? Where’s your favourite wine from? Mrs Romance said ‘budgie’ the other day – I thought she was saying ‘Mudgee’ but had a cold – is that funny? Tell us in the comments!
Images by Mrs Romance.
* Part of the Mudgee Wine and Food Festival, which runs 12th September – 6th October 2014.
I love small towns off of the beaten path and to hear about the authenticity of the people in Mudgee makes me want to visit even more. I will have to visit in the spring because I want to see some joeys in the front yard. Thanks for taking me there guys!
Mudgee’s great little town, Nick! You know it’s only a matter of time before you get yourself a flight over the the Lucky Country!
Jim
Oh my heart! We’ve been to Mudgee a couple of times and there’s so much to love, the food, the wine and the people. It’s a top spot for a weekend getaway. We once did a wine tour and went to about 8 different wineries which gave us a real flavour for the region. Mudgee wines are definitely some of my favourites. There’s a great brewery too in the centre of town that has some cracking beers. Reading this post makes me want to go back!
Let’s go back together, Sammie! I reckon that’d be a lot of fun! There’s also a distillery there we didn’t get chance to look at. On my hit list now.
Jxx
Well, I have definitely never been to Mudgee, but if I’m in the vicinity any time now I will remember to stop in. As a name of a town it’s a bit off-putting though, it sounds very muddy … maybe they need some rebranding??!!
Ha ha! I know what you mean, Amanda. It’s a strange-sounding name, isn’t it? I have so many problems pronouncing some of the place names in Australia. Mrs Romance laughs at me all the time.
Just looked it up and apparently Mudgee means ‘nest in the hills’ in the local Wiradjuri tribe’s language, which I think describes the place pretty well. Anyway, don’t let the name put you off – this place is well worth a visit… and not very muddy at all! 🙂
Jxx
I love Mudgee! My husband proposed there. Must have been all that wonderful food and wine!
Aw. Lovely stuff, Allison. It’s a great spot for a bit of romance – not to mention eating and drinking your head off! It’s great that Mudgee has even more meaning for you guys on top of the regular gourmet pull it has for the rest of us.
Jxx
I do love Mudgee. The hubby and I used to go there quite often pre kids. Our last trip we took the kids with us and the dog and the dog ate rat poisoning and one child was almost as sick as the dog with temps. It didnt work out to well and we are definitely looking forward to going back there again on a childless weekend 😉 x
Oh no! That last trip to Mudgee sounds like a nightmare, Sonia! Time for a return visit maybe? Surely that kind of lightning can’t strike twice!
Let us know how you get on.
Jxx
Mudgee is so beautiful! The locals are amazing and the food, wine, fresh produce are amazing! Can’t wait go back!
It really is a beautiful place, isn’t, Rachel?! We were just so impressed with everything about Mudgee. We’re with you – can’t wait to go back either!
Jx
The food and wine and markets are enough reasons for me to visit Mudgee!!! It looks lovely x
We missed the markets this time, Bec but we’ll definitely be back. To be honest I think missing them might’ve been a good thing. We were so full by the time we left that town!
Jx
What a cool little place! I love small towns and their friendliness!
Seriously, Talia, this has to be one of the friendliest, happiest towns in Australia! And the food and drink there is incredible.
Jx