The Zin House is being transformed into a more accessible, fun and flexible dining venue.
Mudgee is one of our readers’ favourite destinations, and for good reason. Brimming with excellent wineries, quaint accommodation and top-notch restaurants, this charming wine region is well worth exploring. One of the biggest drawcards to the Central West region of NSW is The Zin House at Lowe Family Wine Co., an award-winning, fine dining eatery with a menu that leans heavily on fresh produce from the onsite garden and the local region. Now, the popular restaurant is set to close its doors at the end of 2025, reopening in January 2026 with a new dining concept.
The Zin House will re-launch as Zin – Food & Wine. (Image: Monique Lovick)
Soon to be known as Zin – Food & Wine, the new concept will offer a more informal, communal and wine-led experience. Kim Currie, Owner and Director of Zin – Food & Wine shared her excitement for the development. “We are so proud of everything that we have achieved with The Zin House since we opened back in 2014. Despite the amazing success we’ve had, we want to continue to be innovative and do something new."
Zin – Food & Wine will pivot away from the fine-dining, six-course, three-hour-long lunches it became renowned for. Instead, it will offer a grazing menu with a set selection of farm-to-table share dishes paired with a ‘choose their own adventure’ medley of Lowe wines. The experience is set to be more accessible, fun and flexible, with all seating at communal tables and guests being able to enjoy the best of the property in just an hour or stay and graze well into the afternoon.
The regional restaurant and food garden on the Lowe vineyard. (Image: Monique Lovick)
Currie shared that the change is a response to how her cooking has evolved over the years. “My approach to cooking and dining has changed since I started The Zin House. I want to make great food that is inclusive and accessible, not just for ‘special occasions’. Guests can choose to be with us for a short meal or longer, more relaxed sittings. They can explore, pair, experiment and enjoy at their leisure."
The grazing menu will showcase a set selection of farm-to-table share dishes. (Image: Monique Lovick)
The menu will change seasonally, with frequent additions shaped by what’s growing in the garden. The $95 per person experience includes a grazing selection of food and three tastings (60ml) of wine or non-alcoholic beverages. Guests can also order additional drinks from the bar.
“We are so grateful to everyone who has dined with us over the past 10 years, and we invite them to come back and experience something very different, but equally as delicious," says Kim.
Bookings are now open.
Opening hours
Fridays and Saturdays: 11 am to 8pm
Sunday and Monday: 11 am to 5 pm.
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.
See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.
By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.
From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.
This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.
1. Share in ghostly tales
Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)
If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.
You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.
2. Wander art installations
See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)
Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.
For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.
3. Learn through lasers
Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)
Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.
The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.
4. Light up the lake
Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)
Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.
You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.
5. Be captivated by local culture
Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)
Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.
Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.
6. Discover a winter glow
See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)
Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.
Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.
Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.
