In search of out of doors journey and wish to get lively?
You’ll wish to look previous the wine tasting and cafes for among the greatest issues to do in Mudgee.
Mudgee is a small Central West city, filled with wine and meals. However it’s additionally a hidden gem for severe out of doors recreation. From mountain climbing and mountain biking to distinctive journey sports activities, there’s no scarcity of issues to maintain you lively.
Right here’s the factor… Many guests come for the cellar doorways and buying, with out realising what’s on their doorstep. That’s a mistake.
Rolling hills, pristine rivers, nationwide parks and World Heritage wilderness are only a brief drive from Mudgee. So the area is critically underrated in terms of mountain climbing, biking, and out of doors adventures.
Right here’s what you’ll discover right here:
- Epic Mountaineering Trails Round Mudgee
- Mountain Biking Adventures in Mudgee
- Water Sports activities & River Actions in Mudgee
- Rock Climbing & Abseiling Spots
- Stargazing & Observatory Experiences
Why Is Mudgee Nice for Outside Adventures
Mudgee is without doubt one of the greatest locations in Australia for out of doors actions. It’s additionally simply 45 minutes from Sydney, making it an amazing Central West vacation spot.
Why? You’ve received World Heritage-listed Wollemi Nationwide Park in your doorsteps, the attractive Cudgegong River working by city, and among the greatest mountain climbing trails in NSW.
Plus the very best half? You possibly can mix all these enjoyable actions with a few of Australia’s greatest wine, cheese, and connoisseur meals. How a couple of arduous mountain bike journey completed off with a chilly native beer and a scrumptious connoisseur meal…
To me that’s the very best time out.
There’s an out of doors recreation increase happening across the nation proper now. 3.7 million Australian adults participated in bushwalking throughout 2023–24 – the newest AusPlay survey outcomes present simply how widespread it’s develop into.
Epic Mountaineering Trails Round Mudgee
Okay let’s get open air…
Whether or not you’re into lengthy distance mountain climbing, steep mountains or identical to strolling on a weekend, you’ll discover one thing in Mudgee.
Drip Gorge Strolling Observe
This is likely to be my all-time favorite hike within the area.
The strolling monitor follows the Goulburn River all the best way to the world-famous ‘Nice Dripping Wall’ the place water drips by the sandstone to create this pure water characteristic. The stroll itself is comparatively straightforward, so that is nice for households or these easing into Mudgee’s mountain climbing tradition.
What makes it particular:
- Unimaginable rock formations
- Enjoyable swimming spots on the best way
- Nice for pictures
- Canine-friendly strolling tracks
Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp Path
This monitor is inside World Heritage-listed Wollemi Nationwide Park.
The vary of pure options listed here are unimaginable. You’ll stroll by historic bushland, previous pristine swimming holes, to lookout factors with panoramic views.
However the cool half… It’s additionally a well-liked tenting vacation spot, so you possibly can simply make at the present time hike right into a multi-day wilderness escape.
Windamere Dam Circuit
Want one thing a bit simpler, however nonetheless satisfying?
Windamere Dam and its surrounding space has some good brief walks with nice water views. That is solely a 20-minute drive from the Mudgee city heart, so it’s additionally tremendous straightforward to entry in order for you a fast dose of nature.
Strolling tracks at Windamere Dam hook up with picnic areas and swimming holes, so you possibly can simply spend a complete day exploring.
Mountain Biking Adventures
Mountain biking in Mudgee? Severely underrated.
Mudgee Frequent has 35 mountain bike trails for all capacity ranges, from straightforward routes for rookies to technical single monitor that professional riders will love.
Mudgee Frequent Path Community
The place to go for mountain bikers.
Mudgee Frequent is rising on a regular basis, with a group of native riders and the Mid-Western Regional Mountain Bike Membership including and sustaining new trails on a regular basis.
You’ll discover:
- Inexperienced tracks for rookies
- Blue intermediate trails with some technical options
- Black superior trails for thrill seekers
- Breathtaking rural views all alongside the best way
Hargraves Historic Goldfields
One thing a bit totally different…
The previous gold mining city of Hargraves is a superb place to mountain bike on precise goldfield websites. The paths weave by historic mining areas, round previous mining tools and undergrowth reclaiming the websites.
It’s a bit like getting a historical past lesson whereas getting match.
Water Sports activities & River Actions
Get moist and wild at Mudgee’s most important waterway, the Cudgegong River.
Kayaking on the Cudgegong River is a completely totally different perspective of the Mudgee area. The river winds by paddocks and bushland and also you’ll spot native wildlife you didn’t even know have been native. Possibly even a platypus when you’re fortunate and silent!
Swimming Holes
There’s nothing like a refreshing dip after a protracted hike or bike journey.
The Mudgee area has lengthy been residence to numerous swimming spots, handed down by generations of locals. Some are straightforward to entry by way of a strolling monitor, whereas others require extra journey to get to.
Prime swimming spots:
- Swimming swimming pools at Drip Gorge
- Seashores at Windamere Dam
- Hidden spots on the Cudgegong River
- Rock swimming pools in Wollemi Nationwide Park
Rock Climbing & Abseiling Spots
Acquired a style for journey at greater altitudes?
Sandstone rock formations round Mudgee present some implausible locations to climb. The rock is sweet high quality and there are routes for a wide range of totally different talent ranges.
However right here’s the factor…
Many of the greatest climbing spots are on non-public property or properly off-grid and require some native information to entry. It’s value chatting with native climbing teams or hiring a information in your first forays into this facet of the area.
Stargazing & Observatory Experiences
End the day admiring the Mudgee night time sky.
The Mudgee Observatory supplies stargazing experiences that are the proper finish to an lively day open air. The observatory is residence to excessive powered telescopes which reveal the Milky Method in all its glory.
Minimal gentle air pollution means stargazing right here is second to none.
They provide:
- Night time time excursions with professional guides
- Day excursions to study our solar
- Occasions throughout meteor showers
- Planetarium reveals
Journey Planning Ideas
Planning your Mudgee journey? Insider ideas…
Greatest time to go to:
- Autumn (March-Could) for mountain climbing season
- Spring (Sept-Nov) for wildflowers and delicate temps
- Winter for clear, crisp days for climbing
Necessities to pack:
- A great deal of water (greater than you suppose you’ll want)
- Solar safety – the Aussie solar is harsh
- Good mountain climbing boots
- Digital camera for Instagram posts
Native information:
- Verify the climate earlier than heading into NPWS lands
- Inform somebody your route and anticipated return time
- Obtain maps to make use of offline – cell phone reception may be patchy
Wrapping It All Up
Mudgee is an out of doors journey mecca and it’s critically underrated.
The very fact is: Guests come for the wine and connoisseur meals (each of that are world-class) however they usually don’t know what’s on their doorstep.
Mountain bike, hike, swim, abseil and extra. Mudgee can rival any area in NSW in terms of out of doors actions.
Right here’s what I like:
- Actions for all health ranges
- World Heritage wilderness proper there
- Excellent mixture of journey and luxury
- Rising path networks and amenities
The out of doors recreation increase in Australia is barely going to proceed. Mudgee is well-positioned to be one among Australia’s greatest locations for lively vacationers.
So subsequent time you propose your Mudgee getaway, be sure it’s not all wine tasting and connoisseur meals. Deliver your mountain climbing boots and your mountain bike and uncover the explanations this area is so widespread with journey vacationers.