Some towns welcome you, and then there’s Mudgee, the place that rolls out the red dirt and pours a generous glass before you’ve even unpacked the car. That country charm was officially recognised this week when Australian Traveller readers crowned the Mudgee Region as Australia’s Best Country Escape for 2025.
The title didn’t arrive by chance. Mudgee, that humble star of New South Wales’ central west, has quietly spent the past decade perfecting the art of good living one bottle, one bakery, and one perfectly restored cottage at a time.
“It’s a reminder,” says Beau Kassas, Chief Marketing Officer of Mudgee Region Tourism, “that as a destination, we should celebrate how our small region delivers big experiences that the modern-day traveller is clearly seeking.”
He pauses, then adds with the quiet pride you’d expect from someone whose backyard has become a national benchmark: “This win is proof that the experiences our local businesses offer are a cut above the rest and visitors have recognised that.”
Where the wine flows and time slows
It’s not hard to see why. Just three-and-a-half hours from Sydney if you don’t stop for pie in Lithgow, Mudgee is the sort of place that rewards curiosity. Wander too far down a laneway and you’ll find a cellar door; stay another day and stumble upon a chef who’s swapped the city’s chaos for paddock-fresh peace.
The region now boasts more than 40 vineyards, each with its own story and a growing constellation of farm-to-table restaurants, boutique hotels, and heritage pubs where conversation still trumps Wi-Fi.
This rare balance between rustic authenticity and refined experience makes Mudgee less a stopover and more a state of mind.
Tourism with backbone
The numbers back it up. Tourism now fuels a third of Mudgee’s local economy, and in nearby Rylstone and Kandos, that figure nudges closer to half. What began as a weekend detour has become a thriving lifeline, sustaining small businesses, craftspeople, and cellar doors that once relied solely on passing trade.
“Mudgee has never been about mass tourism,” Kassas explains. “It’s about people coming here, slowing down, and connecting with something genuine.”
And that’s precisely what modern travellers seem to crave, an antidote to algorithms and airports, a place where the only schedule that matters is sunrise and the pour at sunset.
A summer invitation
As summer and the festive season loom, Mudgee Region Tourism is gently nudging city-dwellers to trade the skyline for star-filled nights. “Escape the city,” the campaign urges, “and discover the beauty, the flavour, and the friendships of small-town Australia.”
The pitch works because it’s true. In Mudgee, authenticity isn’t a marketing slogan; it’s an everyday rhythm. Locals chat across verandas. Winemakers still use their hands. The butcher knows your name by your second visit.
Why Mudgee matters
In an era where “experiential travel” has become a buzzword, Mudgee stands apart by doing what it’s always done — offering an unmanufactured experience. The art scene hums with local pride, the food scene dances to the seasons, and the countryside rolls on, unbothered by the rush of the modern world.
For many, Mudgee’s magic lies in its refusal to reinvent itself. It hasn’t tried to be hip; it’s just staying honest, and perhaps that’s the cleverest strategy.
So, as Australian Traveller’s readers lift their glasses to this year’s winner, Mudgee can take a modest bow. It’s earned it the old-fashioned way through warmth, craftsmanship, and a sense of place that no algorithm could ever fake.
By Kanda Limw – (c) 2025
Read time: 4 minutes
About the Writer
Kanda Limw is a self-motivated administrative professional with a strong track record of supporting business operations efficiently and precisely. Highly organised and adaptable, she brings a wealth of skills to the table, from multitasking and prioritising competing demands to managing complex filing systems and ensuring smooth office workflows.
Her background spans professional secretarial work, customer relations, and project planning, where her critical thinking and proactive approach have consistently delivered results. Kanda is experienced in managing directors’ schedules, coordinating meetings, and streamlining administrative processes while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.
With progressive experience in office management, she has developed a reputation for reliability and attention to detail. Colleagues value her calm under pressure, her ability to anticipate needs, and her dedication to keeping operations on track. Kanda continues to build on her diverse skill set, driving efficiency and excellence in every task she undertakes.
