The ultimate itinerary for a romantic weekend in Mudgee

Plan your escape to Mudgee for a romantic weekend in NSW’s prolific Central Ranges wine region.

There is something about escaping to the country with your significant other that feels deeply romantic. The frenetic pace of the city or the busyness of home falls away, and a weekend full of romantic possibilities opens up in front of you. With two nights and three days for exploring up our sleeves, my husband and I have set our sights on a romantic weekend in Mudgee.

The drive is a little over three-and-a-half hours from Sydney, and the destination boasts a long list of romantic itinerary fillers – think glamping under the stars, hot air balloon rides, private wine tastings and the perfect climate for cosying up beside a fireplace with a warming glass of local shiraz.

Follow along for the perfect romantic weekend itinerary in Mudgee.

Getting there

The drive from Sydney will take you along the scenic Great Western Highway through the Blue Mountains and onto Castlereagh Highway until you reach Mudgee. Alternatively, you can opt to fly from Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle, Ballina, Taree or Dubbo with FlyPelican to Mudgee.

Day One:

We set out early from Sydney and take our time to stop for a coffee and stretch our legs at Sorelle Kitchen & Eatery – spend a little longer here to enjoy an all-day brunch-style menu, or grab some tasty takeaway treats like freshly baked jam doughnuts or lamingtons. Back on the road, there are plenty of quaint and quirky towns in the Blue Mountains worthy of a pit stop if you have the time, but we have a cheese platter with our names on it waiting for us in Mudgee.

With a continuous winemaking history stretching back to the 1850s, Mudgee is by far the oldest wine region in the Central Ranges of NSW. You’ll find over 40 family-owned cellar doors, a distillery and a brewery – definitely make wine tasting a priority on your itinerary.

Award-winning drops at Logan Wines

Couple enjoying wine with scenic views across Logan Wines vineyard in Apple Tree Flat near Mudgee. — Enjoy uninterrupted views of the vineyard below from the cellar door. (Image: Destination NSW)

Logan Wines is located 15 kilometres outside of Mudgee in Apple Tree Flat – could there be a cuter destination name for a winery? Peter Logan has been making wine for over 25 years in the Central Ranges, starting out in Orange before setting up the Logan Wines vineyard (named Weemala; an Aboriginal word meaning ‘good view’) in 1997 with his father in Mudgee.

Today, Peter and his team continue to source grapes from both Orange and Mudgee to produce their range of riesling, pinot gris, chardonnay, gewürztraminer, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, merlot, pinot noir and tempranillo.

The interior of Logan Wine’s award-winning tasting room is modern and inviting with a cosy fireplace near the entry. We are seated in the glass box section that juts out from the side of the building and boasts uninterrupted views of Weemala below. We’ve opted for the 60-minute guided tasting experience accompanied by a locally-sourced cheese platter for two – the combination of High Valley Cheese Co.’s Stefan Blue with Mudgee honey and Mitta Mitta hazelnuts is to die for! There is also a limited dining menu on Fridays to Sundays.

Lunch at Lowe Family Wine Co.

Couple enjoying a visit to Lowe Wines, Mudgee. — The impressive cellar door at Lowe Family Wine Co. (Image: Destination NSW)

At our next winery, owner and winemaker of Lowe Family Wine Co. David Lowe takes us on a tour of his property before our tasting, pointing out the rustic, wooden chapel he built with his staff during the 2020 lockdown – perhaps the perfect spot for an impromptu wedding should the romance of Mudgee really carry you away?

The sprawling Tinja property in Mudgee has been in the Lowe family for generations. Today it is an organic and biodynamic vineyard, working winery, cellar door, the site of the award-winning Zin House restaurant and pavilion events space. There are gardens and orchards to wander through, a picnic area to while away the afternoon in, animals in paddocks to spot and a dam with a jetty to admire.

Chef Kim Currie at her restaurant The Zin House in Eurunderee, near Mudgee. — Director and Executive Chef Kim Currie prepares for service in the kitchen at Lowe’s Zin House restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

The hour-long tasting experience at Lowe’s takes you through the full range of wines – Sarah, the sparkling rose named after the original Lowe lady, is fun, bubbly and easily my favourite. Purchase a selection of Zin House-made and locally sourced products from the cellar door’s Food Store to build your own platter before settling in for your tasting – think fresh baguettes, black olive tapenade, and cheese (the pickled quince is a must-try if available).

Sleeping under the stars at Glenayr Farm

Luxury Glamping and Villas in Mudgee with a unique accommodation experience. Set on a 320 acre working sheep property of secluded quintessential Australian landscape, yet close to Mudgee's famous wineries and restaurants. — The stunning glampsite at Glenayr Farm. (Image: Glenayr Farm)

With two of Mudgee’s best-known wineries under our belt, we make our way to our accommodation for the weekend. Glenayr Farm is about a 25-minute drive outside of town. We open and close the gate (to keep the sheep in) and take the winding unsealed track to the top to reach the glampsite (note: low-lying cars will struggle to navigate the drive).

Owner Rachel White has set up Glenayr’s four glamping tents and three boutique villas (each with a private hot tub and fire pit) on this 320-acre working sheep farm. The secluded property is completely off-grid with all onsite facilities solar-powered. It’s the ideal romantic setting for the weekend.

Our five-metre canvas bell tent, Pinot, is one of four on the site. Each tent is spaced 15 metres apart for privacy and is within close proximity to the indoor communal area that houses two bathrooms with hot showers, a lounge room with an indoor fireplace, television, a billiards table and plenty of other games, DVDs and books to keep you entertained.

There is also a separate dining area and kitchen with fridge/freezer and gas stove in addition to the outdoor barbecue, hot tub and fire pit.

Private villas with hot tubs are tucked away on a separate part of the property, available to book if glamping isn’t really your thing.

After we settle into our generously sized tent, we fill the hot tub up with hot water (which takes approximately 40 minutes) in preparation for a post-sunset dip and set up the fire underneath to keep the water temperature heated.

Once the sun sets, we top up our wine and head for the hot tub. Stargazing on a secluded property under a sky full of stars should definitely be included in your own romantic weekend itinerary, so make sure you book the experience in advance of your stay – it is worth the extra fee.

Day Two:

Shops and cafes in the town centre of Mudgee — There are plenty of dining and shopping options along Mudgee’s main streets. (Image: Amber Hooper)

We had grand romantic plans for a hot air balloon ride at dawn with Balloon Aloft , but unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate this time. Instead, we woke up to the sound of the rain falling softly on our tent and unzipped the entrance to watch the sunrise from our cosy queen-sized bed with a steaming cup of tea.

After a day of consuming nothing but cheese and wine, we are ready for a hearty breakfast and make our way into town. Mudgee’s tree-lined heritage streetscapes are everything a country town should be – full of charm, history and boutique dining and shopping experiences.

Mudgee – or Moothi (meaning ‘nest in the hills’) as it was known by the Wiradjuri people who have called this region home for tens of thousands of years – was established as a European settlement circa 1800, and many of the original buildings constructed in the decades after remain to this day. Walking its streets is a well-preserved step back in time.

Alby + Esthers for breakfast

Coffee and breakfast available from Alby + Esthers, Mudgee. — Enjoy breakfast at Alby + Esthers cafe. (Image: Destination NSW)

Breakfast is at Alby + Esthers , the well-known cafe has a number of quiet nooks and dining areas, but we take a seat in the charming courtyard under the canopy of leaves that stretch out from the tree in its centre. I opt for their famous jaffle – mostly because it is the comfort food of my childhood – filled with locally smoked ham, eggs and Swiss cheese with a delightfully tangy tomato relish. While my husband orders the local breakfast bowl with locally smoked bacon, eggs, marinated mushrooms, cheddar, greens, house-made hazelnut dukkha with a roast capsicum dressing and sourdough toast. The coffee is also top-notch – we order an extra takeaway each and make our way to Robertson Park for the monthly farmers’ market.

Mudgee Fine Foods Farmers’ Market

Mudgee has a rich pastoral history that is still thriving today, and the monthly Mudgee Fine Foods Farmers’ Market lets you sample some of the region’s best edible bounty. Set in the perfectly manicured Robertson Park off Market Street, the stalls are set up in a circular arrangement around the rotunda, and a live band provides the soundtrack to the morning. Find freshly baked bread, local produce, cheeses, wine, olive oil and more.

Lunch at Moothi Estate Winery

Food platter with scenic country views across the Moothi Estate vineyards, Mudgee. — Enjoy a relaxed wine tasting and plate of nibbles at Moothi Estate winery. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another day, another winery – and I am definitely not complaining. We hit the road and take the short drive to Moothi Estate for lunch and a tasting. This is the most relaxed of the tastings we’ve had so far, with the wines arriving as a flight with a tasting card for a self-guided experience out on the deck overlooking the vineyard. We order the trio of dips with flatbread and veggie sticks and a side of fries (as we’re still quite full from breakfast). We spent a fair amount of time here, relaxing and people-watching, before driving to our next winery for our final tasting.

Rosby Wines, Gallery & Sculpture Garden

Couple enjoying a wine tasting experience with winemaker Gerry Norton-Knight at Rosby Wines & Guesthouse, Eurunderee. — Let Gerry Norton-Knight show you around Rosby Wine Cellar Door. (Image: Destination NSW)

We arrive at Rosby Wines at the same time as the rain and miss out on wandering through the impressive sculpture garden before our scheduled tasting. Gerry and Kay Norton-Knight bought the 80-acre property as newlyweds back in 1983, transforming it into a home, then a winery in 1996, followed by the sculpture garden, luxury guesthouse accommodation and the gallery it boasts today.

It may be the soothing sound of the rain falling on the rammed-earth cellar door as Gerry takes us through his wines, the comforting taste of freshly-made baked cheesecake (which is the best I’ve ever tasted!), or maybe it’s the sense that everyone seems to know each other here, but there is something about a visit to Rosby’s that makes you instantly feel part of the family.

Rosby Wines Sculpture Garden — Wander the sculpture garden, when the weather allows. (Image: Destination NSW)

Rosby’s is renowned for its cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. We buy bottles of both to take home, as Gerry’s commitment to low-impact farming means they are only sold out of his cellar door. They also produce riesling, chardonnay and sangiovese, as well as a lovely rosé. Definitely add this winery to your list and do make time for a romantic stroll around the gardens to admire the impressive sculptures if the weather permits.

Dinner at Roth’s Wine Bar

Dani Elred, owner of Roth's Wine Bar, Mudgee with a glass of Grapes of Roth Shiraz. — There are plenty of nooks and cosy areas to sit inside Roth’s Wine Bar. (Image: Destination NSW)

After an afternoon relaxing back at our glampsite, we make our way into town for dinner. From the street, Roth’s Wine Bar looks like a quaint wine store and bar, but we follow the music out back, and it opens out onto a courtyard with ample seating, plenty of cosy nooks and a big barn-like dining area with a stage.

Their seasonal menu features a delicious selection of wood-fired pizzas, salads and share plates made with locally grown produce. We share an order of southern fried Buffalo wings with hot sauce and blue cheese, and opt for the pulled-pork pizza with Napoli sauce, caramelised onion, rocket, feta and cheese – washed down with a bottle of 2019 Manners Hilltop Malbec from the cellar out front. Then head back to Glenayr to make the most of our last night of glamping.

Day Three:

Patrons enjoying food and drink at 29 Nine 99 Yum Cha and Tea House in Rylstone, east of Mudgee. — Take a detour to Rylstone for lunch at 29Nine99 Yum Cha. (Image: Destination NSW)

It’s been a romance-filled few days in Mudgee, and after a slow morning in our tent, we pack up and hit the road – but not before a quick pit stop at Mudgee Honey Haven on our way into town for a takeaway coffee. This place is a honey lover’s heaven – and there is also an on-site cafe if you fancy staying a while.

If you have the time, take a detour to the heritage village of Rylstone. It’s just a 45-minute drive outside of Mudgee, and there are a number of great walks in the surrounding national park. Follow it up with lunch at 29Nine99 Yum Cha for the best dumplings in the region.

For more great tips and itineraries, read our travel guide to Mudgee.

The heavens take centre stage at this Outback NSW glamping lodge.

Crane your neck. Look up. If it’s nighttime in a major Australian city, you might see a faint dusting of stars. Now imagine yourself out in the bush. Here, those stars aren’t just scattered dots – instead, they’re smudged across the sky in endless, glittering streaks. Welcome to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit , a new glamping lodge in one of the most picturesque corners of outback NSW.

Between its eight stargazing tents, Gilay Guest Lounge, and shared tales of the Dreamtime night sky, this retreat is designed to exist in harmony with the breathtaking lake and surrounding landscape. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know.

Bathed in warm light, a couple watches the sun dip beyond the horizon. — Watch the sky melt into magic at Wilderluxe.

Getting to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is in the NSW Northern Tablelands, bordered by the Great Dividing Range. The lake itself is hard to miss: this mammoth body of water is two-thirds the size of Sydney Harbour.

Just 40 minutes from Tamworth and close to Gunnedah, it’s on the inland route between Sydney and Byron Bay. Drive or take one of the daily flights to Tamworth’s airport.

Aerial view of Wilderluxe. — Let vast waters and towering ranges set the scene for your escape.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit rooms

Don’t settle for a paltry room when you can sleep directly under the cosmos. Wilderluxe offers eight domed ‘Star Tents’ , all named after Aboriginal sky stories – like Djirri Djirri, the sacred messenger bird, Baiame, the Sky Father and great creator, and Dhinawan, the Emu in the Sky constellation.

On a clear night, use your tent’s retractable roof for gazing above or wander to the outdoor bathtub on your private deck to soak under the night sky. No need to go anywhere. You can stay put come evening with a kitchenette inside and a gas barbecue on the deck.

A couple gazes up at a sky ablaze with stars at Wilderluxe. — Sleep beneath the stars.

Style and character

When it comes to aesthetics, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit stays on trend. The encampment blends with its surroundings, building up layers of minimalist visuals that mirror the ever-changing curves of the water.

Earthy tones, natural materials and timber finishes also anchor the retreat in its bushland surrounds. It’s enough to deepen the sense of calm you’ll experience as you drive off-grid, and this is only heightened as you spot kangaroos grazing at dawn or hear the chatter of native birds by the lake.

The dreamy sunset at Wilderluxe. — Go off-grid in style at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit dining

‘Dinner and a show’ hits differently with the property’s Big Sky dinner experience . Hosted in the Gilay Lounge, enjoy complimentary drinks and a grazing table with the host, followed by a screening of Big Sky Dreaming, a film produced exclusively for Wilderluxe guests in which Kamilaroi storyteller Uncle Len Waters narrates tales of the Dreaming above.

Once your imagination has been fed, it’s time to take a seat fireside for a glass of Australian port and a serving of s’mores.

Keen to explore the wider area? Staff can provide barbecue and picnic hampers, stuffed with regional meats, cheeses and organic local fare.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit facilities

While you could very well spend all your time in your tent, sometimes it’s time to hit pause on the celestial show. Instead, make your way up to the Gilay Guest Lounge, where you can relax on the deck overlooking the lake or the outdoor fire pits. It’s a great way to unwind and clink glasses with other stargazers.

The Gilay Lounge with the view of the lake. — Unwind by the fire and raise a glass at Gilay Lounge.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit experiences

No need to turn nocturnal; when the sun rises, there are still plenty of ways to touch the sky.

Lake Keepit hosted the 2020 Women’s World Gliding Championships, and it’s one of the best places in Australia to stretch your wings. The local Soaring Club operates year-round, meaning you can book a gliding experience any day of the year – or opt for a scenic flight to take in the vast beauty from above.

Prefer to keep your feet on solid ground? There are plenty of walking and cycling trails in and around the area. Luckily, bikes are part of the Wilderluxe package. All you have to do is ask a staff member for their favourite route, throw a picnic onto the back and cycle off into the great beyond.

Alternatively, nab a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak and head out onto the lake. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, borrow a fishing rod and try your chances.

A person kayaking through serene waters. — Paddle into peace.

The details

A two-night minimum twin-share accommodation package includes Big Sky dinner and drinks experience, plus daily continental breakfast. As well as access to leisure equipment including mountain bikes, kayaks, SUPs and fishing gear.

The interiors of the glamping tent. — Let nature restore you, while luxury takes care of the rest.

Start planning your outback glamping adventure at wilderluxe.com.au.

The best romantic itinerary for a weekend in Mudgee