A place full of scenic landscape, good food and wine, Mudgee is the perfect weekend getaway from Sydney and a winter wine weekend. We decided to go on a Winter Weekend in Mudgee after reading about it a while ago, and finding an Airbnb that looked so unique it could have been on Grand Designs.
Winter weekend in Mudgee
We did our first trip Mudgee in a winter weekend in July, with the intention of making the most of the cosy side of Mudgee, that they do so well! You can’t ask for a more well set up place for a winter wine weekend, with fireplaces roaring in all pubs and wineries! The sun still strong enough to sit outside during the day time if it is a sunny weekend! It is also such a picturesque area, it is a beautiful place to take some travel photography.
Accomodationfor the perfect Winter weekend
Our Airbnb called Strikes 2 was perfectly set up on the top of a hill, with an amazing viewing deck and floor to ceiling windows in the lounge. The only other house we could see was the other cottage that can be rented out. I would say that Strikes are are definitely in the luxury Airbnb business, and they do it so well! The accomodation is so unique and sticks out of the ground on stilts. It is the perfect place to have a chilled coffee in the morning whilst cooking sausages on the Weber grill on the veranda in the morning, and having a glass of wine watching the sunset in the evening. An alternative great place to stay for a winter weekend in Mudgee in the town centre is Perry Street hotel, within walking distance of many restaurants and pubs.
Mobility
Strikes is about a 15 minute drive from the centre, and therefore need to get a taxi to the centre and wineries if you are drinking. The taxi service is 24/7 and very efficient. You can just call 131008 at any point while you are in Mudgee to order.
The Weekend Itinerary
Friday
On the Friday night we were after pub grub and Kelly’s Irish bar in Mudgee city centre defiantly delivered on this, but it was time to leave when an Elvis impersonator turned up. We then made our way to Roths wine bar, which is the oldest wine bar in NSW! There was an amazing singer and guitarist, and we enjoyed the rest of the evening sitting in the indoor-outdoor garden, surrounded by fairy lights and next to the fire. Roth’s is an absolute must bar to visit during any Winter Weekend in Mudgee trip.
Saturday
On the Saturday we joined a half day tour by Mudgee Explorer Tours. They picked us up directly from Strikes and took us to three wineries. Our favourite of these was 1838 which also grow their own olives.
We then got dropped off at Lowes winery so we could spend the afternoon there. Lowes winery has great views and you can order a lunch time platter until 3pm. It seems like a very popular place to hang out, and you can definitely see why!
Sunday
On the Sunday we went to Pipeclay Pumphouse for lunch, wow the food was amazing! The view from Pipeclay Pumphouse was beautiful, and we could imagine a beautiful place to spend a lazy afternoon.
For First Timers to Sydney Siders, this list will show you give you insight into some of the best things to do in Sydney. Use this list to help plan out your holiday or just a weekend!
Enjoy all Sydney has to offer
Sydney is one of the most beautiful, vibrant cities in the world. No matter what time of year you visit, there will always be something going on. Keep reading to find out the BEST things to do in Sydney. If you are only visiting for a short time, I’m sure you will have time for a couple of them.
1. Have a drink at Squires Landing
Number one is a really low key activity but with an epic outcome (in my opinion). If you only have time to go to one pub, this is the one. Squires Landing – restaurant and Brewhouse sits in Circular Quay harbour near the rock. It sits on the end of a wharf and in the middle of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. What this means is the view is epic!
Spend as much or as little time here. Minimum can just be one beer or ginger beer (it is a brewery as well!). Maximum you can get a great pub grub meal and stay for as long as you like! I would not recommend booking, as then you sit upstairs, which it isn’t quite as good as the outdoor atmosphere you get downstairs. So just turn up and hope the queue isn’t too long!
This pub is a real all rounder. In winter they have heaters in the huge outdoor space, and every Saturday they have amazing live music. In summer the vibe is amazing, and this place is great daytime and nighttime.
So grab a drink, get an outdoor table and take it all in….this is really one of the best things to do in Sydney.
Squires Landing
For an alternative bar with similar vibes and great views, try the Opera Bar and Kitchen.
2. Walk around Sydney CBD
Sydney is a beautiful city and luckily it is a very walkable city. Join a free walking tour to learn about the history, or take your time and walk your own path.
A good route to take would be Mrs Macquarie’s Chair –> Botanical Gardens –> Circular Quay –> the Rocks –> Town Hall –> Darling Harbour –> Barangaroo
Darling Harbour
3. Bondi to Coogee Walk
I almost have to apologise for putting this on the list, as it is so obvious. However I wanted this to be a full list and, well, this walk is famous for a reason. This will be on 99% of lists that exists of the best things to do in Sydney.
Seeing Bondi Beach is a must when in Sydney, and walking on the Bondi to Coogee walking path next to the ocean to another amazing beach after beach makes for the perfect afternoon spent.
Bondi Beach and Coogee do not have train stops. Get a train to Bondi Junction and then straight on a bus to Bondi Beach. The bus station is within the train station, just follow the signs. Grab an avo on toast brunch or a smoothie at one of the many health cafes on Bondi Beach, and then start the walk. The walk starts just behind the Bondi Icebergs (that famous sea pool photo). The walk will take you from beach to beach. Beautiful white sand and drink stops on the way (e.g. Tamarama Beach Kiosk). If it summer then make this a full day trip and go swimming at each beach!
On average if you walk and do not stop it would take under 2 hours. If it is a hot day then add another 30 minutes. For photos and potential swim stops then add on more time!
At the end of the walk grab a cocktail at the beautiful Coogee Pavilion Rooftop bar, before getting a bus back to Bondi Junction.
Route: Bondi Beach –> Tamarama Beach –> Bronte Beach –> Clovelly beach –> Gordens Bay –> Coogee beach. Can be done the other way around also.
All beaches are sand beach apart from Clovelly beach, which is a cool concrete beach and great for swimming as it is a bay. Gordens bay has a snorkelling trail. Most of the beaches have an enclosed sea pool which helps to avoid waves or those who fear sharks.
Gordens Bay
4. A day at Manly Beach
OK another beach, but this is what Australia is great for! Manly beach has a very different vibe to Bondi . If you have time then it is worth going to both. A day at Manly beach starts with taking a 20 minute ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf, then the rest of the day is up to you!
The beach on the Manly Wharf side is a flat water beach great for chilling or paddle boarding. Walk through the small beach town of Manly (grab an ice cream on the way) and you’ll end up reaching the Pine tree lined Manly beach. The beach has a street full of bars and restaurants. The day is yours to choose from if you want to dine and drink, sunbathe and swim or even take up a lesson in surfing!
Tip: keep walking from Manly Beach up to Shelly beach for a lovely short walk and maybe even a lizard on the way!
Manly Beach
5. Take a ferry to Watson Bay
Taking a ferry to Watson Bay from Circular Quay is an experience in itself for the beautiful views. Then once you arrive on Watsons Bay you have a beautiful area to explore along with Sydneys most iconic fish and chips!
Watson Bay Boutique Hotel
Best things to do in Watson Bay:
Have iconic fish and chips near Watson Bay ferry terminal
Have a cocktail at Watson Bay Boutique hotel
Walk to the lighthouse and take in all of the views
Sunbathe and swim at Camp Cove beach
6. High Tea at Queen Victoria Building
OK if you are from England then this may not be a novelty, for anyone else or those who love high teas as much as I do then the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) is THE place to go. It is worth visiting this building even if you don’t plan to eat, this is a beautiful grand building from the Victorian age and wouldn’t look out of place in London.
Turn up and choose your cafe (most on the middle floor will serve a high tea), or book into the The Tea Room for the full experience.
7. Day trip to Blue Mountains
For a day into nature and only just over an hour from Sydney CBD, the Blue Mountains is one of the most beautiful National Parks in the whole of Australia. One thing you might notice when coming to Australia is that as soon as you are outside of the city, it feels very untouched. This is one of the reasons that I love it here so much, nature has been left to be nature. The blue mountains is 267,954 hectares of land, and 10 ties older than the Grand Canyon.
Visit for fresh air, dramatic peaks, walks and waterfalls.
If staying in Sydney CBD, you can either book an organised day trip or hop on an easy 2 hour train journey from Sydney CBD to either Katoomba or Leura for a small town with access to many walking paths.
Blue mountains is great for walking year round. In the summer the mountains can provide some much needed relief from the hot city days, and in the winter it is the perfect time to put on a coat and hat and enjoy a long walk.
Blue Mountains in Winter
8. Have a picnic in Wendy’s Secret Garden
Take a ferry or train to Milsons Point, or walk over the Harbour Bridge to North Sydney. One you reach Luna Park you can walk through it in order to get to Lavender Bay. Take in the views over the water and keep walking until you find the stairs in the middle of the Bay. Walk up the stairs to the beautiful spot of Wendy’s Secret Garden. Then find the grass area with epic views over Sydney Harbour bridge.
Take a rug, some food and drink and have a beautiful time.
Wendy’s Secret Garden
Alternative picnic spot in the city is Botanical Gardens near the Opera house which is also a stunning place to visit and hang out.
9. Dine in a iconic restaurant
There is nothing more memorable than great food and epic views of Sydney, and if you are planning to ‘splash out’ then Sydney has many options. Here are a few of the most well known, best views (and most expensive), make sure to book well ahead!
Hunter Valley is the oldest wine region in Australia, and a great option for a weekend getaway from Sydney. Each time we visit there, we have a completely different experience and, with over 150 wineries in Hunter Valley, it will feel like a new place each time.
If it is your first time in Hunter you may want to take a wine tour or the hop on hop off (we have done this and highly recommend it). However, if you know exactly want wineries in Hunter Valley you would like to visit then you can take taxis around (Uber is normally available in the hunter).
The wineries are so diverse, from Australian farm vibes to Tuscany vibes, from commercial to homely. You can truly tailor your experience wondering around this wine rich beautiful green valley however you would like to.
Here is a list of my recommended Must Visit Wineries in Hunter Valley.
1. Iron Gate Estate
I love a good winery that is also very picturesque and transports you to a different place. Iron Gate Estate is the winery that will make it look like you have visited Tuscany in Italy, and having an amazing European holiday!
2. Leogate Estate
Leogate Estate will provide you a classy, vintage experience with a touch of elegance. The outside is stunning, with white Grecian architecture and fountains. To top it all up the views of the Brokenback Ranges that surround the estate are second to none.
Brokenwood Wines
This stunning wooden designed cellar door, Brokenwood Wines is a must visit in the Hunter. A more commercial wine now, this is a cellar door where you have many options. From private tastings, cheese boards, to trying wine at your own leisure on the expansive terrace, this is a great place to spend a couple of hours.
4. Mira Wines
For a more personalised wine tasting experience with Greek inspiration, Mira Wines is a beautiful vineyard owed by a lovely Greek-Australian family. The wine tasting experience includes olives, cheese and beautiful views. The hero of Mira Wines is the limoncello, which is a lovely change to all of the wine in Hunter Vally!
While you are here, it is easy to visit Hanging Tree wines which is walkable next door.
5. Hanging Tree Wines
For a boho, boutique, rustique themed winery, Hanging Tree Wines is a beautiful place to hang out and drink some wine! Just a short walk from Mira Wines, it is worth visiting both while in this area.
Mudgee is hands down our favourite winery region in Australia that we have visited. The close proximity of the wineries, the beautiful cellar doors and the amazing scenery all add to the charm of Mudgee as well as being one of the not-so-visited areas. There are many Wineries and Restaurants in Mudgee that you Must Visit!
Here is a list of our recommendations for Must visit Wineries and Restaurants in Mudgee.
1. Lowe Winery
For a chilled afternoon at a beautiful winery. The key place on our list for must visit wineries and restaurants in Mudgee.
Oh wow, Lowe’s winery is just everything you could dream of from a cellar door! We have been in both Winter and Summer and absolutely loved both experiences.
On our most recent visit (Dec ’20) was during Covid times when there were zero cases in Australia but all venues had restrictions to still follow. We had to make a booking for the wine tasting beforehand and pay for it online. However, what an experience!
This consisted of a slow casual top up of 10 different wines on the list, whilst standing outside in the sprinkler mist keeping us refreshed on this hot summers day. We were even handed a glass of sparkling when we first arrived, what a great touch!
There is the option after the wine tasting to hang around on their beautiful grounds and at this point you can purchase a glass or a bottle of wine and a cheese board for the perfect afternoon in Mudgee.
2. Craigmoor Estate Wines
For authenticity, delicious reds and Tawnys.
The oldest vineyard in Mudgee, Cragimoor is a very classic cellar door with some amazing wines. We only visited this one in winter and boy did it live up to that winter scene that we were after! The roaring fireplace and red Tawny Ports (called Rummy) were perfect cosy winter vibes.
3. Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant
For the some of the best food in Australia!! This is also the best restaurant on this list of must visit wineries and restaurants in Mudgee.
Located at the Robert Stein Vineyard & Winery Pipeclay Lane, Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant has out of this world food. We went for breakfast on the Sunday and it has to be the best breakfast we have had in Australia! The views from the restaurant were first class, and we would love to come back for a lunch or dinner.
[Note: unfortunately they are not doing breakfast since 2020, but lunch and dinner would be just as amazing!].
Breakfast at Pipeclay Pumphouse, Mudgee
4. 1838 Wines
For low key olive and wine tasting.
Wine and olive tasting, this experience combines the two perfectly. It is located with a lovely olive grove on site, and you can sit outside for the tastings. We absolutely loved the Dancing Wombat Shiraz (sparkling shiraz) and we even ended up ordering some more on their website a few months after visiting because it was so good!!
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5. Roth’s Wine Bar
For the the best evening atmosphere, this is definitely the best bar we found in Mudgee and we wish there was something similar in Sydney!
Located in the heart of Mudgee city centre, this is a definite must go restaurant / bar. With an extensive wine list from all of the local wineries and a pizza and snack based menu, this place really took us by surprise. The entrance feels like a little old shop and then once you have past the first room you enter this amazing outdoor setting. In winter the roaring fireplace created a magical cosy setting, and a jazz singer singing outside amongst the fairy lights made for the most memorable evenings in Mudgee.
6. Burnbrae Wine
For the small family owned boutique winery experience
During our summer visit to Mudgee, we of course go back to our favourite wineries in Mudgee, however we also wanted to try a new one! After a bit of research we decided to book into Burnbrae Wine. This cellar door is a lovely authentic, wood, characteristic winery and a beautiful setting. We visited on a summer weekend of high temperatures and sitting out on the beautiful outdoor wooden deck for the tastings – perfect! Moreover, the staff were also so friendly and very good with the Covid controls!
7. Baker Williams Distillery
Delicious liquors for a break from wine!
A small break from all of the wine in Mudgee, Baker Williams Distillery is definitely worth a visit. It is set on really cool grounds with a lovely entrance, and produces the tastiest liquors!! The distillery produces whiskey, gin, limoncello, orangecello you name it and during the tasting they leave the best till last which is the butterscotch liquor and oh wow this is like a delicious dessert!
While your at Baker Williams you should visit… –>
8. Vinifera Wines
For outdoor picnic vibes with wines and sausage rolls on a hot summers day
Vinifera wines is next door to Baker Williams, which means if you visit one you should definitely visit the other. This is especially good if you are not with a wine tour and just getting taxis between the wineries (we did this on our second trip to Mudgee). This does not mean that you should only visit here if you will visit Baker William, but it is how we discovered it!
Vinifera wines was the visit where we purchased the most wines as they were soo good! On the hot weekend that it was when we were there, the sparkling, roses and light reds could not have been enjoyed more! They have two wine tasting menus to choose from, the one we didn’t have has more heavy reds which they probably recommend more in the colder months. They also have a small menu for snacks and sausage rolls, which I highly recommend!
Example itinerary
If you are not on a guided tour, and you plan to get taxis between wineries this is an example itinerary based on if you are staying in the town centre. Each arrow is a taxi ride, note that Baker Williams distillery is next to Vinifera Wines so no transport needed. You can grab some snacks at Vinifera Wines, and then have lunch or cheese board once you get to Lowe’s. Lowe’s wine is an awesome place to then spend the rest of the afternoon on their most beautiful grounds. Mudgee taxi number is 13 10 08.
Mudgee centre –> The Olive Nest & 1838 Wines –> Baker Williams distillery — Vinifera Wines (with snacks) –> Craigmoor Wines –> Lowe’s Wine (cheese board) –> Mudgee centre
Let me know if there are any of your favourites missing from the list!!
