If you’re visiting Mudgee in New South Wales, be prepared for a glimpse of colonial Australia. This regional town northwest of Sydney is reminiscent of the gold rush era, with many buildings dating back to the 1860s. TheMudgee Museum and Historical Society will give visitors greater insight into what life was like forMudgee’s early settlers, with manyartefacts from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The collection includes clothing, farming equipment, furniture and children’s toys, and the site itself is aremodelled hotel first built in 1856.
To further explore this era, take a trip north to Gulgong and visit the Pioneer Museum. The Henry Lawson Centre also tells the interesting history of one of Australia’s best known writers. Lawson wrote many poems and short stories reflecting on colonial living and the harsh realities of life in the Australian Outback. His work was particularly noted for its stark reflection of a world romanticised by fellow Australian author Banjo Patterson.
To taste something a little more modern, visit one of the many wineries that can be found in the Mudgee area. Rich red wines are prominent, with many of the local estates featuring award-winning drops and additional fare made from fresh local ingredients. Take one of the Mudgee Wine and Country Tours to sample the best and see some of Mudgee’s stunning scenery along the way. For the freedom to include additional stops like the popular Honey Haven and Frog Rock use your car to create your own tour.
The town holds its Farmers Market on the third Saturday of every month at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, with its stalls representing the finest this abundant region has to offer. Aside from fresh produce and edible inventions, the market offers handcrafted goods such as jewellery, artwork and even handmade books.
