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The 8 cosiest places in Mudgee to book on Airbnb

Curl up by the fire at these stylish stays in beautiful, vine-filled Mudgee.

Retreat to the country to unwind among Mudgee’s rural beauty and incredible wineries. Here, in the NSW town and her bucolic surrounds, cooler weather beckons with an array of cosy stays. From generous riverside barns to sweet, woodland cabins and downtown terraces, you’ll find the perfect Airbnb to settle in and warm up.

1. Highgrove Cottage

Highgrove Cottage mudgee airbnb
Relax on the verandah with a drink in hand at Highgrove Cottage. (Image: Airbnb)

You had us at a hot tub on the deck. Add wine, and we’re all in. This hilltop cottage offers 360-degree views across Mudgee, complete with vine-threaded undulations, which you can absorb from that aforementioned hot tub.

But the two-bedroom Highgrove Cottage is also a stylish stay complete with a full kitchen, chic design, cosy touches of timber floors and indoor fireplace, and a separate studio for additional guests. It’s gorgeous inside, but you’ll struggle to draw your eyes from the muted tones of the rural landscape beyond.

Best for: A couple of couples happy to share a hot tub
Location:
 Eurunderee, Mudgee

2. Gawthorne’s Hut

Gawthorne’s Hut mudgee airbnb
Go for a romantic off-grid interlude at the triangular-shaped Gawthorne’s Hut.(Image: Airbnb)

All the way up there for design-led cosiness, this triangular-shaped Gawthorne’s Hut has been voted ‘Best Unique Stay’ by Airbnb’s host awards and has been featured in architecture publications. It’s no surprise this one-bedroom wedge of a stay has snagged so much adoration with its luxe, off-grid design being the stuff of eco-dreams.

While it’s not suitable for kids or infants, it is very suited to cosy lock-ins with a king bed, air-con, kitchenette and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing sweeping Mudgee valley views.

Best for: Architecture boffins looking for a romantic off-grid interlude
Location:
 Mudgee

3. Wilgowrah Church

Wilgowrah mudgee airbnb
Settle into this 1920s country church turned Airbnb in Mudgee.(Image: Airbnb)

You’ll love going to church in this heritage-listed deconsecrated abode. Keeping true to its original form, but with stylish, modern design updates, this gorgeous 1920s country church has been tenderly restored to welcome couples. Just six kilometres from Mudgee, you’ll be close to town and wineries, while feeling transported to a bygone era.

There’s a cosy fireplace to huddle around as you admire the cathedral-style ceilings and textural brickwork, as well as an outdoor firepit, air-con and full kitchen at your disposal.

Best for: History buffs who like a quiet space.
Location:
 Mudgee

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4. Resteasy at Sunset Cabin

Resteasy at Sunset Cabin mudgee airbnb
Resteasy at Sunset Cabin has an outdoor tub to soak in under the stars. (Image: Airbnb)

An almost rustic rural retreat for those looking to deep-dive into their surrounds, Resteasy at Sunset Cabin is a one-bedroom stay that offers all the charm of a bush shack, while ensuring guests are abundantly comfortable.

There’s a claw-foot bathtub outside for soaks under the stars, a firepit, barbecue, coffee machine and electric fireplace. It’s cosiness all wrapped up in corrugated iron walls with mountain views waiting to be revealed in the misty morning.

Best for: Laidback country charm
Location:
 Frog Rock

5. Thistle Hill Mudgee

Thistle Hill mudgee airbnb
Settle into the luxury Thistle Hill Mudgee lodge with your crew. (Image: Airbnb)

Agrarian beauty abounds at this stunning homestead set among pinot noir vines and olive trees. Sleeping six, you can settle into the luxury Thistle Hill Mudgee lodge with your crew and lean into rural living, from catching yabbies in the dam and wandering the 100 acres to sipping morning cups of tea while listening to local birdlife.

In winter, an inviting indoor fireplace crackles into life, and you can huddle around the fire pit come evening, while in summer a private pool beckons for refreshing dips. All this, and you’re just 10 minutes’ drive from Mudgee.

Best for: Groups and families looking to lock in and unwind
Location:
 Mudgee

6. Black Springs

Black Springs mudgee airbnb
Bed down at this bush-surrounded retreat in Black Springs. (Image: Airbnb)

Consider your cabin goals reached at this idyllic, bush-surrounded retreat. Set on 33 acres, Black Springs is located only 10 minutes from Mudgee, but huddled amid tall trees in this charming cottage, you’ll feel wonderfully secluded from the outside world.

Inside the studio, country vibes are well maintained with elegant but sympathetic styling in heritage tones of cool green and warm wood. Snuggle fireside, sink into a warm bath, and watch resident wildlife, such as kangaroos, mooch about from the porch.

Best for: Lumberjack lovers
Location:
 Budgee Budgee

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7. The Black Shed

Black Shed mudgee airbnb
The rustic-luxe Black Shed presides over a working vineyard. (Image: Airbnb)

Leaning into a rustic-luxe aesthetic, the architecturally designed Black Shed presides over a working vineyard and out to the attention-stealing vistas of Lawsons Creek and Mount Buckaroo. The cosy checklist is all here, from indoor wood-burning fireplace, timber finishes and artful styling, to full-kitchen, bathtub and barbecue.

Sleeping up to five across two bedrooms, you can bring your four-legged friend or children, or both, but do be aware farm animals do free-range on the property. Only five kilometres away from Mudgee, exploring town is a cinch.

Best for: Snug family time
Location:
 Milroy

8. The Gully

The Gully mudgee airbnb
Be surrounded by towering pines at The Gully. (Image: Airbnb)

This hidden away hut is straight from the set of a rom-com, where the protagonists cosy up under the moon in a clawfoot bath, of course. Hemmed by towering pines and gums, and rustically timber-clad, The Gully also has strong Hansel and Gretel overtones.

Inside, however, there’s no wicked witch, just cottage-luxe styling and beautifully restored original features. Stoke the wood-burning fire, enjoy a drink on the porch and make use of the full kitchen.

If you don’t feel like cooking, grazing boxes and breakfast hampers can be arranged. With no wi-fi, all entertainment will be analogue, but that’s all the better for romance, we think.

Best for: Cabin romance
Location:
 Budgee Budgee

For more inspiration, read our ultimate travel guide to Mudgee before you book.

Lara Picone
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
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Where to eat, sleep and visit on Grand Pacific Drive, and beyond

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
    The ultimate road trip begins and ends on NSW’s stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

    Whales, charming villages, fine wine and stunning natural vistas: there’s a lot to love about a road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales. Winding from the Royal National Park through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven before heading inland to the Southern Highlands, this scenic drive makes for an unforgettable road trip.

    But like all great road trips, it’s not just about the drive but the stops made along the way. From incredible farm-to-plate (and grape-to-glass) dining options to unbeatable natural vistas and quaint towns with beautiful accommodation, there’s plenty to explore en route.

    Shellharbour Marina
    Spend time in Shellharbour Marina.

    Where to eat

    What is a road trip without incredible food? Whether you’re after fresh seafood, slow-cooked paddock-to-plate feasts or delicious wines, you’ll find something around every bend along Grand Pacific Drive.

    Restaurant Santino is a local Wollongong secret we can’t keep quiet any longer. With a fresh take on Italian cuisine, servings are hearty and flavours are comforting. The chitarra with blue swimmer crab, garlic, chilli, parsley and crustacean oil is a crowd favourite.

    Keep it local in Shellharbour with a menu all about fresh local produce at Relish on Addison . From South Coast oysters and blue swimmer crab linguine to crispy pork belly, surf and turf takes on an elevated meaning here.

    Kiama’s neighbourhood wine and cocktail bar, Little Betty’s , is just as good for a tasty share plate as it is for creative cocktails. The signature Grilled Octopus with burnt honey, garlic confit and sautéed Asian greens is worth a trip on its own.

    Only the best will do in Shoalhaven, where multi-award-winning Bangalay Dining uses native Australian ingredients to bring its dishes to life. Start with the Smoked trout croquette before moving on to the sautéed potato gnocchi. Don’t forget the white chocolate mousse for dessert.

    Meanwhile, the Southern Highlands are full of culinary highlights. From dining on incredibly fresh, local fare (we’re talking ingredients plucked from the team’s on-site kitchen garden or sourced through local producers) at Eschalot Restaurant in Berrima to creating gin blends at Millsheds Distillery .

    bangalay dining shoalhaven
    Taste native flavours at Bangalay Dining.

    Exploring nature

    Scenery is everything when hitting the road, and Grand Pacific Drive serves it up in spades. Drivers don’t even have to leave the car to enjoy the iconic ocean views from Seacliff Bridge (but several lookouts make it easy to stop).

    Seaside Kiama boasts stunning beaches and famous blowholes. But travellers can also swap ocean for rainforest when taking the Minnamurra Rainforest walk, culminating in a picturesque waterfall. Or soar overhead at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures .

    The scenic coastal drive along Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton.
    Cruise along the stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

    Between May and November, 30,000 whales make their way passed the South Coast between May and November. Spot them from the coastal shores or join a whale-watching cruise from Shellharbour Marina or Jervis Bay. Dive in with Woebegone Freedive .

    Shellharbour’s Killalea Regional Park is home to a traditional bush tucker and medicine walk with Aboriginal tour group, Gumaraa . Learn Indigenous healing practices and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage and wisdom of the land’s Traditional Owners.

    Wollongong is the perfect place for hikers, with the 6.5-kilometre Wodi Wodi track serving up views, settler history and a variety of landscapes in one loop. If you prefer, skip the walk and pull up at Bald Hill Lookout for expansive views south towards Wollongong (and a hang-glider or two).

    For something truly unique, join the Highland Cow experience at The Swallow’s Nest in the Southern Highlands. In a brand-new offering, get a taste of farm life and help groom and feed these gorgeous creatures.

    kiama coast walk people with dog
    Wander the Kiama Coast Walk.

    Unique experiences

    No need to choose between an adrenaline rush or a culture fix, Grand Pacific Drive serves up both.

    Soar into aviation history at Shellharbour’s HARS Aviation Museum .  Tour the museum, then join a guided walk onto the wing of the record-breaking Qantas Boeing 747 and see the significant historic aircraft up close.

    If ever there was a place to skydive, it’s in Wollongong. Dive from 15,000 feet (tandem, of course) with Sky Dive Wollongong and see the coastal beauty of this region from above.

    Shoalhaven’s Bundanon Art Museum has to be one of the most unique offerings in the country. The legacy of artist Arthur Boyd and more than just a gallery, find eco-accommodation, fine dining, award-winning architecture and community here.

    Kiama’s Crooked River Estate is about more than just delicious wine.  Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy casual food and drinks with live music at Kick Back Fridays , every week.

    Between June and August, the Southern Highlands’ Robertson attracts novice truffle hunters. Join the hunt at family-owned and operated Robertson Truffles (alternatively, you can order truffle treats online, if your sense of adventure isn’t up for it).

    Freshly dug truffles at Terra Preta Truffles, Braidwood.
    Discover hidden gems beneath the soil in the Southern Highlands. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Where to stay

    Road trips are the ultimate promotion for slow travel, encouraging visitors to take their time, enjoy the journey and stop along the way to really immerse themselves in local towns.

    Find history and elegance at Berida Hotel in the Southern Highlands. Intimately set amongst gardens, but still close to the main street of Bowral, this 1920s private residence turned boutique hotel is the perfect stay.

    Stay in one of Barranca’s private villas with views of rolling farmland overlooking the dramatic escarpment at Kangaroo Valley or be surrounded by native bushland (a short walk from the beach) in Jervis Bay.

    Speaking of beachside escapes, Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach delivers unrivalled access to Wollongong’s beaches. These serviced apartments enjoy coastal views from spacious balconies.

    For something completely different again, check in at Cicada Luxury Camping . Stay in safari-style or large bell tents, each with a private fire pit and top-notch kitchen facilities. Outside, enjoy spectacular countryside views.

    Cicada Luxury Camping
    Unwind at Cicada Luxury Camping. (Image: DNSW)

    Discover more and plan your ultimate road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive and beyond at grandpacificdrive.com.au/grand.