A Mudgee Weekend Escape: Part Two
Yesterday, we regaled the cruisy drive from Sydney to hidden gem Mudgee, fine dining experiences and fabulous vineyards to visit, and in today’s series of our Mudgee exploration, we give you the perfect Saturday night out and a top notch stop-off on the way home.
We resume our itinerary on Saturday, and look at that, it’s lunchtime! The ideal place for a noon visit is Burnbrae Wines, which means ‘Brook at the foot of the hills’. With a vineyard simply made for weddings, and a cellar door that once acted as an historic dance hall, it is a piece of history with a touch of romance.
Business development manager and wine expert, Katie, empowered our wine knowledge with a comprehensive tasting (which saw us leave with a rosé and chardonnay), as well as filling up our bellies with one heck of a local produce platter filled with cured meats, cheese and fruit.
Making the place all the more lovely, Burnbrae comes with an original Winemakers Cottage fit for four, and ‘Lazy Pizza Sundays’, featuring delicious pizzas and a bucket of homebrewed 548 Lager to be enjoyed on the lawns.
From here, we sussed out the unique cellar door of Pieter van Gent, where barrels full of wine are maturing in a restful slumber in its shadowy cask hall.
Here we stumbled across a real treat as temperatures soared, with a chilled red wine known as Sundance Red, packed with spicy cherry characters and sweet fruit flavours. We also devoured a specially designed tasting plate, with certain chocolates paired with a complementary port, something the winery is particularly known for.
An afternoon nap and a quick evening drink back in the luxury of our Blue Wren farmhouse, and it was time to get back out into the local Mudgee town life. Saturday was the perfect night to visit local darling Alby & Esthers, found on Market St, as well as in the pages of the Good Food Guide for 2017. We sampled homemade cocktails and soaked up the atmosphere of the outdoor courtyard, with fairy lights draped in between tree branches and brick walls.
The entertainment for the evening was local 15-year-old singer, Zoe Gidget Brown, whose melodic voice and talented guitar and piano playing instantly lifted the cosy vibe to another level. Little did we know, it was her first public performance in the space, but she played so beautifully you’d never have known.
Owner Leigh was also one of the loveliest hosts we’ve encountered, stopping by to check how we were enjoying ourselves and ensure we were topped up with delicious tapas and tasty cocktails.
Before bed, it’s simply mandatory – as the locals kept telling us – to enjoy a nightcap at Roth’s Wine Bar, once a dingy corner to be avoided, but now a trendy hotspot for after hours. And once you’ve wrapped up your evening, it helps to have a local friend who can come pick you up. We met Bronny through our host Paul at Blue Wren, but playing taxi isn’t her only helpful service. Bronny runs Mudgee Explorer Tours, which sees her operate local tours for those who are looking to experience everything Mudgee has to offer without the hassle of organising it.
Sunday mornings are the same no matter where you are; made for lazy breakfasts and sleep-ins. We enjoyed a specially catered hamper from the lovely Rachael McCarthy Catering, including eggs from local free range chooks, fresh sourdough, delectable honeycomb, bacon and much more.
Sundays in Mudgee are also made for cherry-picking, and while only in season for around one month in December each year, the Roth Family Orchard welcomes visitors to buy a bucket and scavenge for your own gorgeous red fruits. Trees were dotted with the deep red delights, and despite the persistent heat we spent an hour plucking our very own collection of cherries.
The Roth family are out there helping, along with their beautiful dog, and we even got a peek into the historic converted church they use to pack cherries commercially. If ever in Mudgee in December, this place was a must-see.
If time permits, local boutique shops like Ladybeetle Shoes, Cherry Red, and Whatever Mudgee, are also high on the list of must-sees, during a relaxed stroll through the town.
And then, sadly, it was time to depart dear Mudgee, and slowly wind our way out of the Mudgee Region and back to the big smoke. But not before one last local treasure, about 40 minutes east of Mudgee and easily the best place to stop for lunch on your way home. It was called 29 Nine 99, and we found it in Rylstone.
Chinese-born Na Lan lives in Rylstone with her Aussie husband Reg and runs the quirky tea shop / dumpling house / Chinese gift shop. Decorated with vibrant colours and both Na Lan and her husband’s artwork, the restaurant is named after the date of their marriage – 29th September 1999 – considered a lucky number in Chinese.
But the hero of the whole place were the incredible dumplings Na Lan and her team make. Aside from advising of portion size and allergies, Na Lan and her kitchen dish up freshly made dumplings at random, all reflecting what’s in season, and what just generally tastes good. Matched with what seems like an endless list of Chinese teas, we were in food heaven, before quickly moving to food coma status.
We might have only driven four hours out of the city, but it felt like another world in Mudgee, with some of the best food, wine and people we’ve come across in a long time. If time is precious to you, but an escape is necessary, I can’t think of anywhere better than the beautiful Mudgee Region to satisfy your travel needs.
For more details on how to plan your getaway, see the Mudgee Region page.
Latest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!