It?s time to turn the television off and enliven your?children?s?senses. Beyond food and wine, the Mudgee Region offers a surprising variety of experiences for a family getaway. See the bees at work in their hive at Mudgee Honey Haven, learn what ?free range? means on a Farm Walk, board a mini-train at the Miniature Railway Museum and join a National Parks discovery tour. Older kids will love putt-putt golf, cooking and art classes, or collecting dust on the network of dirt bike trails. As the sun-sets, hear the stillness of country life, kangaroos grazing and a sky filled with stars never seen from the city.
For these reasons, the Mudgee Region is a favourite family escape for several Australian celebrities including Natarsha Belling, Scott Cam and Ken Sutcliffe. Mudgee Region Tourism Inc shares their local tips, plus we reveal the best family-friendly activities and accommodation.
Natarsha Belling, news presenter at Channel 10, spent her childhood in Mudgee and loves to return to her old stomping ground with the family to appreciate the beautiful landscape and country hospitality. ?There is a great bike track along the Cudgegong River and through Lawson Park, which you can follow up with a picnic in the park with its excellent playground for the kids. The Gulgong Museum is also a great step back in time for children to embrace some Australian rural history.?
For family friendly dining, Natarsha recommends the alfresco experience at Di Lusso Estate. ?It has the most amazing risottos and pizzas, and lots of space so the children can run around and explore. For a fantastic coffee, we can?t go past Alley Cats Coffee House with its lovely outdoor area that the children love,? said Natarsha.
Scott Cam, Australia?s favourite builder and host of ?The Block? on the Nine Network, regularly slips back to his Mudgee property. Scott loves nothing more than hosting family and friends at his country retreat, introducing them to the peace and quiet of the region. ?I love the general pace and smell of Mudgee ? it is a pure Australian country life existence.?
?Our family enjoys going bush at Dunns Swamp in the Wollemi National Park. Each November, we also like being in town for the annual Field Days to experience the demonstrations and characters that represent rural life,? said Scott.
Scott?s recommendations for eating out include The Butcher Shop Caf?, and can?t go past the delicious home made custard tarts of McDonalds Bakery in town.
Ken Sutcliffe, sporting personality and commentator with the Nine Network, fondly remembers his formative years growing up in Mudgee, and recalls days spent swimming with mates at Rocky Waterhole at the foot of Mount Frome as a favourite memory. Ken regularly returns to Mudgee, which he describes as a ?classy, good looking, bustling, friendly country town with plenty of history and a go-ahead future?.
?Mudgee is a terrific place for family. My family has always loved cycling between the region?s small villages and vineyards, stopping off to picnic at Robertson Park or The Henry Lawson Memorial Park,? said Ken. ?If sport is your go,?Mudgee boasts some of the finest facilities in the state including the new $14million Glen Willow Stadium which is an outstanding venue for international and local events. The local Mudgee race meetings are priceless, in a beautiful location along the river on the edge of town.
Ken also notes favourite country drives to the local villages of Cooyal, Lue, Gulgong and Rylstone, and highlights Capertee Valley as the world?s second largest canyon and wider than the Grand Canyon in the USA.
Mudgee Activities for the Family:
*?Kids Cooking Classes? held on the third Saturday of each month at the local Farmer?s Market, kids choose their seasonal and local produce, learn basic cooking skills, and enjoy eating and sharing food together.
* Art Classes at The Mud Factory ?- offering kids the opportunity to develop their creative side using a variety of mediums, including paint, ceramics, photography, lego animation, candle making, mosaics and more.
*?Star Gaze at Mudgee Observatory ? witness the stars and distant galaxies away from city lights using the powerful telescopes. Nothing beats introducing a child to the wonders of a country sky illuminated by stars.
*?Cycle through Putta Bucca Wetlands ? only a short cycle from the centre of town and a bird watcher?s paradise, home to over XX species of bird life with a dedicated twitching platform.
* ?All Aboard? for a Miniature Steam Train Ride ? on the second Sunday of each month, enjoy a ride with friends and family around the track. Picnic grounds with barbeques available (to confirm). Cnr Ulan Road and Buckeroo Lane, Mudgee. ?Ph: 02 6373 3626.
* Mudgee Honey Haven and Putt Putt Golf ? a full day out for the family, the kids will see bees hard at work and discover how honey is made. Taste the wide variety of flavours available including their delicious honeycomb. Follow up the sticky experience with a round of Putt Putt on the 18-hole course.
* Exploring Nature?s Backyard ? the Mudgee Region is home to several National Parks and Reserves, including Wollemi, Goulburn River, Munghorn Gap, Dunns Swamp and Coolah Tops. Pack a picnic and enjoy a day in the bush, exploring the trails by bike, foot or 4WD. Make sure to pack the cossies for a dip in the swimming holes. Or for an organised tour, join the NSW National Parks Discovery Program.
Family-Friendly Accommodation:
*?Ba Mack Homestead ? the kids will love this farmstay experience where they can enjoy a pony ride, pat and hand feed the animals, help collect eggs and milk the goats, and pick fruit straight from the orchard.
*?Odd Frog Lodges ? for larger families and groups of friends, choose from the bunkhouse, former sheep quarters, or on-site cottages.
*?Elephant Mountain House ? a five-bedroom self-contained cottage set on a working farm and vineyard.?
* Parkland Resort ? a range of newly refurbished hotel rooms and suites, with the Vine Bar & Restaurant on-site.
For more information or accommodation options, contact the Mudgee Visitor Information Centre on 02 6372 1020 or go to www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au
Mudgee Region Tourism is a member of the Tourism?Industry?Council NSW.?
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