The 10 cosiest places in Mudgee to book on Airbnb

Lara PiconeBy Lara Picone
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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

Best for: A couple of couples happy to share a hot tub

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

the front porch at Highgrove Cottage, Mudgee
Relax on the verandah with a drink in hand at Highgrove Cottage.

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.

the living room interior at Highgrove Cottage, Mudgee
Inside, you’ll find a chic and cosy interior.
Fireplace at Highgrove in Mudgee
A roaring fireplace completes the cosy vibes.

Location: Eurunderee, Mudgee

2. Gawthorne’s Hut

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

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.

the Gawthorne’s Hut in Mudgee
Go for a romantic off-grid interlude at the triangular-shaped Gawthorne’s Hut.

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.

the wooden bedroom interior at the Gawthorne’s Hut in Mudgee
Curl up in the rustic-style space and enjoy the views.

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.

Bathtub at Gawthorne in Mudgee
A deep bathtub to soak away the stresses of everyday life.

Location: Mudgee

3. Wilgowrah Church

Best for: History buffs who like a quiet space.

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.

the Wilgowrah Church in Mudgee
Settle into this 1920s country church turned Airbnb in Mudgee.

Just six kilometres from Mudgee, you’ll be close to town and wineries, while feeling transported to a bygone era.

the bedroom inside Wilgowrah Church
Cathedral-style windows and ceilings are featured throughout.

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.

Wilgowrah Mudgee stay
There are plenty of spaces for relaxation.

Location: Mudgee

4. McKenna Terrace

Best for: Town-dwelling travellers

In the centre of Mudgee, McKenna Terrace  is beautifully welcoming with its luxe country style. Self-contained with a modern kitchen and lovely courtyard terrace complete with barbecue, settle in for an escape to that is both sleek and warm.

a close-up shot of the pillows on the bed at McKenna Terrace, Mudgee
Retreat to the sleek McKenna Terrace.

With a black and cream colour palette that soothes, from dark wooden floors to cabinetry, this two-bedroom stay is the perfect place to retreat to after a day in the vineyards.

the classy interior of McKenna Terrace, Mudgee
A black and cream colour palette is used to create a soothing atmosphere.

Location: Mudgee CBD

5. Resteasy at Sunset Cabin

Best for: Laidback country charm

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.

a rural retreat in Resteasy at Sunset Cabin, Mudgee
Resteasy at Sunset Cabin has an outdoor tub to soak in under the stars.

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.

the kitchen inside Resteasy at Sunset Cabin, Mudgee
Inside, you’ll find a modern kitchen with a coffee machine.

Location: Frog Rock

6. Thistle Hill Mudgee

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

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.

guests chatting at the farm in Thistle Hill Mudgee
Settle into the luxury Thistle Hill Mudgee lodge with your crew.

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.

Lounge room at Thistle Hill in Mudgee
Rich earthy colours and textures feature throughout.

Location: Mudgee

7. Black Springs

Best for: Lumberjack lovers

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.

a look inside the bedroom at Black Springs, Mudgee
Bed down at this bush-surrounded retreat in Black Springs.

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.

Clawfoot bath at Black Springs in Mudgee
Throw open the doors to take in your surroundings while soaking in the clawfoot bathtub.

Location: Budgee Budgee

8. The Black Shed

Best for: Snug family time

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.

the accommodation exterior of The Black Shed, Mudgee
The rustic-luxe Black Shed presides over a working vineyard.

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.

a bed set next to a balcony at The Black Shed, Mudgee
Wake up next to breathtaking vistas.

Location: Milroy

9. River Ranch

Best for: Small but perfectly formed celebrations

A barn-style escape set by an almost hyperbolically beautiful river, River Ranch  is charming in every sense of the word.

the exterior of the Airbnb stay at River Ranch, Mudgee
Check into this charming barn-style Airbnb stay at River Ranch.

Enjoy a deep dive into the fantasy of rural living here, where eight guests can unwind across four bedrooms and find plenty of nooks and crannies to enjoy a little solitude, from the patio to the riverside and in the company of a resident alpaca.

a billiards table inside River Ranch, Mudgee
Play billiards or simply enjoy your solitude.

With barn doors swinging open from the dining room to reveal a breath-snatching farm view, this place is perfect for special celebrations. There’s also a fireplace, full kitchen, valley and river vistas, basic camp kitchen, firepit and festoon lighting, to really illuminate the dream that this is your everyday life.

the kitchen at River Ranch, Mudgee
You’ll find everything you need from a full kitchen to a fireplace at River Ranch.

Location: Riverlea

10. The Gully

Best for: Cabin romance

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.

towering pines surrounding The Gully, Mudgee
Be surrounded by towering pines at The Gully.

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.

an outdoor tub at The Gully, Mudgee
Enjoy a drink in the outdoor tub.

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.

the bedroom at The Gully, Mudgee
Cosy up in the cottage-luxe bedroom.

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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Your first look at Australia’s brand-new luxury camp

    Kate BettesBy Kate Bettes
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    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.