Mudgee’s stylish new escape

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Incredible food, stylish amenities, and country hospitality await at the chic new The Clairfield hotel.

Picturesque Mudgee is renowned for its spectacular wines, fresh produce, and natural beauty. But the latest drawcard for heading to the region is the newly-opened The Clairfield Hotel. The accommodation masters the blend of country hospitality and modern design and is perfect for anyone looking to get away from the city for a long weekend. 

From sourcing ingredients from local farmers for its menus to collaborating with regional artisans for its decor, The Clairfield Hotel celebrates the very soul of Mudgee.

Here’s everything you need to know before you book.

Location

Mudgee is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney. The Clairfield is situated on one of the town’s main roadsSydney Roadmeaning you are conveniently placed to explore the surrounding wineries and the main shopping precinct.

The Clairfield, Mudgee
The Clairfield is in a prime spot for exploring the region.

Style and character

There’s a lot to love about the style of The Clairfield Hotel which was designed to connect with the landscape. Cat Cossettini from Habitat Living was called upon to decorate the guest rooms while Michelle Faure from Mooikin Design Studio the public areas. 

The Clairfield, Mudgee
The hotel’s use of pink takes inspiration from spring cherry blossoms.

From the pendants crafted by a local ceramicist to the high-end furnishings, attention to detail is prevalent throughout. Modern yet warm, the colour palette draws inspiration from the surrounding eucalypts, autumn leaves, and spring cherry blossoms in the form of marble, linen, tiling, and feature walls. Spotted gum joinery, brass detailing, and sandstone crazy paving bring timeless sophistication to the design.

The Clairfield Mudgee
A woven artwork reminiscent of Mudgee’s undulating landscape brings texture and colour to the lobby.

The onsite dining destinations anchor the hotel, featuring a teal tile-clad central fireplace, monolithic pink marble bar, light timber furnishings, and olive trees. 

Gigis Mudgee
The onsite dining destinations boast a contemporary yet warm aesthetic.

Facilities

The Clairfield shows its focus on wellness with its swimming pool, gym, steam room and wellness studio.

The pool area is reminiscent of those in Palm Springs and sits in the middle of the hotel grounds. Here you’ll find daybeds with umbrellas to unwind at and they’ve also thoughtfully placed a trolley filled with towels and sunscreen for guests to use. Adjoining the pool area is a communal outdoor area with tables and chairs and a central fireplace.

The Clairfield, Mudgee
Take a refreshing dip or relax poolside at this Palm Springs-inspired oasis.

A few steps from here are the steam room and small onsite gym fitted with modern equipment.

If the fresh country air isn’t enough, bring further Zen to your trip by booking a session at the chic wellness studio, Jila where you’ll find a a relaxation space, two infrared saunas, and float therapy rooms. 

Jila, The Clairfield
Jila wellness studio features infrared saunas and float therapy rooms.

There is onsite parking for guests as well as a conference centre.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Rooms

Where many hotels might skimp on decorating guestrooms with high-end furnishings, The Clairfield does not. Every room has been thoughtfully decorated in high-end furnishings from Sarah Ellison, Design by Them, RJ Living, and I Love Linen.

The Clairfield, Mudgee
The serene guest rooms feature thoughtful details.

Rooms range from the comfortable Olive Queen to the spacious Summer Suite, and all feature tasteful art, crisp linen bedding, linen robes, and La Gaia amenities.

Families should book The Olive Family Room which offers two adjoining rooms, one with three single beds, and the other with a king-size bed. 

The Clairfield, Mudgee
The colour palette draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape.

Of all the rooms available, the Master Suite and Spring Suite are the most luxurious and include Samsung frame TVs, round freestanding baths, and Reuben Hill coffee. The Summer Residence is also equipped with a kitchenette and an outdoor area. 

The Clairfield, Mudgee
The Spring Suite comfortably sleeps four guests.

Food and drink

Dining at a hotel restaurant often feels lazy, but the food and drink offerings at The Clairfield Hotel are not to be missed. Helmed by Sam Potter, dining destinations Gigi’s and The Flour Bin celebrate the best of Mudgee produce, in a delicious blend of Modern Australian meets Italian cuisine.

The Clairfield Mudgee
The blush bar is the perfect spot for a pre-dinner tipple.

Gigi’s has already cemented itself as one of the region’s best restaurants. For breakfast, don’t miss the smashed avo and feta on house pumpkin and rosemary focaccia, and the coconut pannacotta, quince, rhubarb, and maple granola. Guests will be pleased to know the coffee is top-notch as well.

Gigi's Mudgee
Enjoy Mudgee produce in a contemporary setting.

For dinner, expect exciting flavours in dishes such as grilled local cabbage, pickled mustard seeds, hot honey, tarragon burnt and honey pannacotta with elderflower granita, meringue, and white chocolate, paired alongside a range of local wines. 

Gigi's Mudgee
The menu blends Modern Australian and Italian cuisines.

The 30-seat The Flour Bin is around the corner and offers a more casual dining experience. Perch yourself at the pink bar or at one of the highchairs to enjoy woodfired pizzas and small bites alongside one of many local wines. 

The Flour Bin, Mudgee
Enjoy small bites alongside Mudgee wines at The Flour Bin.

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Accessibility

The Clairfield caters for wheelchair users and those who are vision impaired.

Family-friendly

With its swimming pool, family rooms, parking, and onsite dining venues, The Clairfield is a great choice for families. 

Details

Address: 1 Sydney Rd, Mudgee

Best for: Anyone looking for a stylish country getaway.

Cost: From $230 per night.

 

Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and Hotel Addict. She's responsible for the foundational content on AustralianTraveller.com, helping to manage and grow the brand’s destination guides. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love and Bed Threads. When she's not writing, editing or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list is Lord Howe Island.
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Dive into summer with hikes, great bites and wellness in The Tweed

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
    Warmer days call for slowing down and relaxing in nature. Discover why The Tweed is the ultimate destination to do just that.

    As the end of the year draws near, the need for rest and restoration grows ever more prominent. For many, that means heading into nature – and there’s plenty of science to back up the benefits of doing so. It quite literally makes us happier as it reduces stress hormones, lowers our blood pressure and more. And what better place to lean into this feel-good effect than during summer in The Tweed (in the Northern Rivers region of NSW)? Blending sparkling beaches, riverside towns and hinterland villages, this area has nature covered, while also offering top activities and dining options.

    Slip, slop, slap.

    And of course, pack your SPF. We Are Feel Good Inc’s Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula that keeps your skin hydrated and shielded, thanks to nourishing Coconut Oil and Vitamin E. But it’s also helping preserve the natural beauty around you on your Tweed vacation, thanks to 30 per cent ocean waste packaging.

    Discover eight experiences that make The Tweed the perfect place for summer.

    1. Underwater worlds

    two people swimming after turtle on the tweed
    Get a chance to swim with the locals.

    There’s something about the ocean that calls to us as humans, and what’s below the surface is even more magical.

    Green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles (not to mention an abundance of other marine life) all use the protected waters around Cook Island, near Fingal Head, as their foraging ground, making it the perfect place to dive and snorkel to spot these adorable creatures.

    Join Cooly Eco Adventures on a guided snorkelling tour that combines unforgettable turtle encounters with an inspiring look into marine conservation.

    2. Farm-to-table dining

    table spread at Potager restaurant
    Treat your taste buds at Potager. (Image: Cara Sophie)

    Respecting the land and nature also means appreciating its abundance of food. From farm-to-table cafes and boutique breweries to river cruises and restaurants championing local produce, dining around The Tweed often means engaging with the best local producers.

    The award-winning Potager Restaurant, part of The Hinterland Collection, is the perfect example; beginning life as a kitchen garden, the passion to champion local producers is woven into every dish. Vegetables, fruit and herbs are picked from the garden or sourced from other local producers, the seafood comes from the Northern Rivers, and meat is sourced from ethical local producers. Even the cocktail list features local distillers.

    Extend your stay with a night (or several) at boutique on-site accommodation, Potager House. This French-inspired country four-bedroom retreat boasts stunning views of the surrounding hills and nearby ocean, as well as a large pool, outdoor entertaining area and infrared sauna.

    3. Water wellness

    Waterguru Mindfulness in the Mangroves summer on the tweed
    Find mindfulness in mangroves. (Image: Matt Johnson)

    You’ll find mindfulness while floating around the mangroves of Kingscliff’s Cudgen Creek at any time, but Watersports Guru offers an immersive experience to help guests do so with more intent. Join a 90-minute guided session on a stand-up paddleboard to reconnect with nature and relax through breathwork, gentle movement and sensory awareness.

    If you’re feeling more adventurous, Watersports Guru also offer Kayak fishing adventures or join a Sea Turtle Odyssey experience.

    4. Restorative seaside stays

    woman relaxing in spa at Halcyon Wellness, halcyon house
    Unwind at Halcyon Wellness.

    The Tweed encourages locals and visitors alike to slow down. To really indulge, a seaside stay is a must. Halcyon House has understood the assignment, blending a wellness philosophy centred on balance and self-discovery with luxurious surrounds. Stay in one of 22 rooms and suites (each individually designed by eclectic interior designer Anna Spiro) right on the beachfront. Book restorative treatments at the onsite spa, Halcyon Wellness, relax by the pool, dine at the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant and just let The Tweed work its magic.

    While Blue Water Motel offers a relaxed coastal escape, just steps from Kingscliff Beach. Settle in stylish rooms, recently restyled by Jason Grant, nodding to the cool of Kingscliff with a fun retro vibe. Hire a bike from reception to explore the surrounding area.

    5. Tasty drops

    Husk Farm Distillery
    Join a Farm to Bottle tour. (Image: Salsingh Photography)

    The owners at Husk Farm Distillery aren’t just about creating high-quality rum: they’re also farmers themselves. In fact, they create one of the world’s only single estate, farm-to-bottle spirits. Join a Farm to Bottle tour to discover the sustainable ‘full circle’ distilling practices used here, and even get hands-on with your own cane knife to help harvest and juice your own stalk of cane. And, of course, a welcome drink plus complimentary tastings along the way.

    6. Rail trail adventures

    Cycle the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
    Cycle the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

    Exploring the rolling green slopes and historic towns of the 24-kilometre Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is one of the best ways to connect with the region’s lush hinterland and interesting heritage. In this section of the trail, discover the area’s railway history at heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, and traverse by 18 railway bridges and through two railway tunnels.

    Linking vibrant towns and villages with the larger hub of Murwillumbah, this section of the trail is covered in asphalt or compacted gravel, making it accessible for all ages and abilities, from prams to adaptive bikes. 

    7. Linger longer

    surfer at fingal heads the tweed
    Enjoy beachside locations, like Fingal Heads.

    Linger longer at one of the seven idyllic beach, river and creekside locations of Tweed Holiday Parks – including at Tweed Heads, Kingscliff Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville South. All just steps from the water’s edge, they make the ideal base to unwind, or head out for exploration of The Tweed. Choose from luxury waterfront cabins, accessible cabins, surfari tents (yes, they are basically glamping tents) or spacious sites for caravans, motorhomes and campervans or tents.

    Tweed Holiday Parks
    Stay for longer and indulge in plat at Tweed Holiday Parks.

    Find your feel-good summer in The Tweed at visitthetweed.com.au.