The NSW wine region giving away free accommodation this winter

With burnout at an all-time high, Mudgee is helping Aussies unwind with a night on the house.

A complimentary night of accommodation in wine country? That’s the promise behind Mudgee’s Rest Rebate, a newly launched program encouraging frazzled Aussies to slow down and switch off.

What is the Rest Rebate?

For a long time, the cure-all for stress has been a holiday. You’d set your out-of-office, pack a bag and head somewhere quiet, returning home a week later feeling recharged and ready to tackle your inevitably overflowing inbox.

First Ridge Wines in Mudgee, NSW — Mudgee in NSW has introduced the country’s first-ever Rest Rebate.

But these days, taking a break can feel like just another item on the to-do list. Between stretched budgets, limited time off work and the pressure to make every moment count, holidays can leave us feeling anything but rested. To that, Mudgee says: no more!

Introducing the region’s new Rest Rebate, a travel initiative that rewards Australians for prioritising recovery and downtime. Launched on 15 June, it offers visitors an extra night of accommodation in Mudgee completely free of charge, giving you more time to properly unwind.

Wandarra Homestead in Mudgee, NSW — Stays like Wandarra Homestead near Mudgee are designed to help guests unwind.

“The Mudgee region has always understood the benefits of slow travel, and now we are able to reward Aussies for turning any weekend into a long weekend," says Beau Kassas, chief marketing officer of Mudgee Region Tourism.

“By removing the cost of the extra night, the Rest Rebate is removing one barrier that often stops us from extending our stay and truly switching off. By focusing on the peace that comes with a slower pace, we aim to change the way Aussies travel and show how regional travel can be a genuine tool for rest."

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Why Australians need it

New research conducted across the country has painted a troubling picture: Aussies are running on empty. According to a recent national survey, a whopping 78 per cent of Australians have shown up to work feeling stressed or mentally exhausted, while 72 per cent have powered on despite being physically unwell.

Busy office scene — Over 70 per cent of Australians have gone to work despite feeling mentally exhausted. (Credit: Getty/Gorodenkoff)

For those who do manage to get time off, the problem doesn’t necessarily disappear. More than 40 per cent of Aussies have reported feeling guilty for taking a holiday, with 59 per cent compensating by checking emails outside of work hours.

It’s an alarming trend that doesn’t discriminate, with everyone from Gen Z and Millennials to Gen X and Baby Boomers feeling the strain. Yet despite its prevalence, many of us fail to recognise the signs of burnout and understand its effects.

People moving through a busy city — In a world that doesn’t stop, it can be difficult to spot symptoms of burnout. (Credit: Getty/Bim)

“Burnout is not simply tiredness; it is a recognised occupational syndrome that requires structured recovery time, not just a day off," says clinical psychologist, Dr Maria-Elena Lukeides.

“The always-on state actively blocks the brain from recovering. Most Australians are locked in threat and drive mode: scanning for problems, chasing achievement, dopamine-fuelled and urgency-driven."

The solution? A deliberate step back from the desk and an intentional step towards rest. This means switching off those work notifications, leaving the laptop at home and going somewhere quiet that allows you to disconnect and reset.

Glenayr Farm in Mudgee, NSW — Glenayr Farm on Mudgee’s outskirts is the perfect place to truly switch off.

With its rolling countryside, friendly locals, celebrated wineries and cosy stays, Mudgee is well positioned to help visitors do exactly that. And according to Dr Lukeides, it won’t take long to start feeling the benefits.

“The soothing system, which governs genuine rest through the release of oxytocin, only activates when the brain feels truly safe and unhurried," she says. “A rushed two-night trip rarely gets us there, but three nights in a slow, unhurried environment does."

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Where and how to book

Running from June to August, Mudgee’s Rest Rebate is extending an olive branch, inviting you for a well-deserved weekend away this winter – plus an extra night on the house. To take advantage of the offer, simply book both Friday and Saturday nights at a participating property and enjoy the Sunday night at no extra cost.

Evamor Valley in Mudgee, NSW — Evamor Valley is one of 12 Mudgee properties offering a night on the house. (Credit: Evamor Valley)

Reservations can be made on the region’s dedicated Rest Rebate page, which features 12 of Mudgee’s top stays. Pick your favourite property and click through to its website, where you can complete a booking form and redeem the rebate. Because sometimes, one extra night can make all the difference.

Choose your stay:

Evamor Valley, Mudgee
Evanslea Luxury Boutique Accommodation, Mudgee
Glenayr Farm, Windeyer
McKenna Terraces, Mudgee
Owl Head Lodge, Gulgong
Peppertree Farm, Eurunderee
Perry Street Hotel, Mudgee
The Clairfield, Mudgee
The Cudgee at Mudgee
The Horatio Mudgee
Wandarra Homestead, Lue
Winning Post Motor Inn, Mudgee

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

The NSW wine region giving away free accommodation this winter

With burnout at an all-time high, Mudgee is helping Aussies unwind with a night on the house.

What is the Rest Rebate?

Why Australians need it