In search of out of doors journey and wish to get energetic?
You’ll wish to look previous the wine tasting and cafes for a number of the finest issues to do in Mudgee.
Mudgee is a small Central West city, filled with wine and meals. But it surely’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 energetic.
Right here’s the factor… Many guests come for the cellar doorways and procuring, 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 significantly underrated relating to mountain climbing, biking, and out of doors adventures.
Right here’s what you’ll discover right here:
- Epic Climbing 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 among the finest locations in Australia for out of doors actions. It’s additionally simply 45 minutes from Sydney, making it a fantastic Central West vacation spot.
Why? You’ve bought World Heritage-listed Wollemi Nationwide Park in your doorsteps, the attractive Cudgegong River operating via city, and a number of the finest mountain climbing trails in NSW.
Plus the most effective half? You’ll be able to mix all these enjoyable actions with a few of Australia’s finest wine, cheese, and connoisseur meals. How a few onerous mountain bike trip completed off with a chilly native beer and a scrumptious connoisseur meal…
To me that’s the most effective day trip.
There’s an outside recreation growth occurring across the nation proper now. 3.7 million Australian adults participated in bushwalking throughout 2023–24 – the most recent AusPlay survey outcomes present simply how well-liked it’s turn out to be.
Epic Climbing Trails Round Mudgee
Okay let’s get open air…
Whether or not you’re into lengthy distance mountain climbing, steep mountains or similar to strolling on a weekend, you’ll discover one thing in Mudgee.
Drip Gorge Strolling Observe
This could be my all-time favorite hike within the area.
The strolling observe follows the Goulburn River all the way in which to the world-famous ‘Nice Dripping Wall’ the place water drips via the sandstone to create this pure water function. The stroll itself is comparatively simple, so that is nice for households or these easing into Mudgee’s mountain climbing tradition.
What makes it particular:
- Unbelievable rock formations
- Enjoyable swimming spots on the way in which
- Nice for images
- Canine-friendly strolling tracks
Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp Path
This observe is inside World Heritage-listed Wollemi Nationwide Park.
The vary of pure options listed here are unimaginable. You’ll stroll via historical bushland, previous pristine swimming holes, to lookout factors with panoramic views.
However the cool half… It’s additionally a preferred tenting vacation spot, so you possibly can simply make this present day 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 middle, so it’s additionally tremendous simple to entry if you need a fast dose of nature.
Strolling tracks at Windamere Dam connect with picnic areas and swimming holes, so you possibly can simply spend an entire day exploring.
Mountain Biking Adventures
Mountain biking in Mudgee? Significantly underrated.
Mudgee Widespread has 35 mountain bike trails for all means ranges, from simple routes for learners to technical single observe that professional riders will love.
Mudgee Widespread Path Community
The place to go for mountain bikers.
Mudgee Widespread is rising on a regular basis, with a neighborhood 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 learners
- Blue intermediate trails with some technical options
- Black superior trails for thrill seekers
- Breathtaking rural views all alongside the way in which
Hargraves Historic Goldfields
One thing a bit totally different…
The outdated gold mining city of Hargraves is a good place to mountain bike on precise goldfield websites. The paths weave via historic mining areas, round outdated 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 via paddocks and bushland and also you’ll spot native wildlife you didn’t even know have been native. Perhaps even a platypus if you happen to’re fortunate and silent!
Swimming Holes
There’s nothing like a refreshing dip after an extended hike or bike trip.
The Mudgee area has lengthy been dwelling to numerous swimming spots, handed down via generations of locals. Some are simple to entry through a strolling observe, 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
Obtained a style for journey at increased altitudes?
Sandstone rock formations round Mudgee present some incredible locations to climb. The rock is nice high quality and there are routes for quite a lot of totally different talent ranges.
However right here’s the factor…
Many of the finest climbing spots are on non-public property or properly off-grid and require some native data to entry. It’s value chatting with native climbing teams or hiring a information to 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 energetic day open air. The observatory is dwelling to excessive powered telescopes which reveal the Milky Approach in all its glory.
Minimal mild air pollution means stargazing right here is second to none.
They provide:
- Evening 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 gentle temps
- Winter for clear, crisp days for climbing
Necessities to pack:
- A great deal of water (greater than you assume you’ll want)
- Solar safety – the Aussie solar is harsh
- Good mountain climbing boots
- Digicam for Instagram posts
Native data:
- 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 might be patchy
Wrapping It All Up
Mudgee is an outside journey mecca and it’s significantly 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 relating to out of doors actions.
Right here’s what I really like:
- Actions for all health ranges
- World Heritage wilderness proper there
- Good mixture of journey and luxury
- Rising path networks and amenities
The out of doors recreation growth in Australia is simply going to proceed. Mudgee is well-positioned to be considered one of Australia’s finest locations for energetic vacationers.
So subsequent time you propose your Mudgee getaway, make certain it’s not all wine tasting and connoisseur meals. Convey your mountain climbing boots and your mountain bike and uncover the explanations this area is so well-liked with journey vacationers.
