Dog-Friendly Mudgee: Visiting Mudgee with a Dog

My favourite Australian wine town is Mudgee. Just under 3 1/2 hours drive west of Sydney, it’s close enough for a weekend trip, but far enough away to be a true Australian country town, with old-fashioned streets wide enough for turning a horse and cart. Best of all, it’s a great dog-friendly destination in NSW. Read on to find out more about visiting Mudgee with your dog…

Dog-Friendly Mudgee

Dog-Friendly Wineries in Mudgee

Many of the wineries around Mudgee are pet-friendly, with dogs allowed either inside or outside. 

When you firstly arrive in Mudgee, I recommend picking up the Mudgee Region brochure from the tourist information centre on Market Street. In the back of the guide is a listing of local business from accommodation to cafes to cellar doors, including an indication of which ones are pet-friendly wineries

One of the most acclaimed cellar doors around, which is also very pet-friendly, is Lowe Wine. Renown for their organic wines, including a very impressive zinfandel, most of the tasting takes outdoors on the terrace, or else inside their rustic barn. You’ll probably also spot their wine dog, Louie, during your visit. Your own dog is welcome as long as they are friendly with other dogs and kept on a leash. 

Lowe Wine Tasting
Tasting on the terrace at Lowe

The weekend we visited in June most of their tastings were already booked out, but we still popped by to check out the winery and have a wander on the property. There’s also the option to put together platters at the Cellar Door Kitchen and enjoy on their grounds, with bookings required for picnics. 

Lowe Wines with Dog
Visiting Lowe Wines with Schnitzel

Another of my favourite wineries in Mudgee is Logan Wines, with their Mudgee cellar door located 15km south of the town on the road from Sydney. It’s a great spot to stop to celebrate the start of a weekend away, particularly with their French-style Vintage ‘M’ Cuvee. At the same time enjoy the beautiful views over the valley below from their modern cellar door. 

Logan Wines
Checking out the wines at Logan Wines

Their new policy is that dogs are permitted to join at the cellar door outside of busy school holidays and long weekends. If you’re making a booking for a tasting with your pup, request to sit on the terrace like we did, rather than in the tasting room. On arrival the staff will direct you around the rear, rather than through the cellar door. Don’t worry if you’re visiting on a chilly winter day, there’s multiple outdoor heaters, plus an outdoor fireplace.  

Wine Tasting at Logan
Enjoying our wine tasting on the terrace at Logan
Logan Outdoor Terrace
There’s even an outdoor fireplace at Logan

Two of the other pet-friendly cellar doors I recommend are di Lusso Estate and Moothi Estate. di Lusso offers Australia’s largest range of Italian varietal wines, plus wood-fired pizzas in their trattoria. Dogs are allowed to join you in the outdoor seating area only, where water bowls are provided.

Moothi has a friendly cellar dog of their own, with dogs allowed to join you for tasting both in the air-conditioned indoor area and at the heated outdoor seating area. Note that you have a “Doggo” when you make a booking.

Dog-Friendly Winery Tours in Mudgee

Interested in having someone else handle the organisation and driving while visiting the wineries of Mudgee? There are multiple tour operators in Mudgee that offer both private and shared group tours of local cellar doors. 

In the Mudgee Region tourism brochure, a number of the tour operators are marked as pet-friendly. Contact individual tour operators to find out their rules for bringing along pet dogs, including whether they are permitted on just private or also on shared group tours. 

Dog-Friendly Sightseeing in Mudgee

It’s easy to spend a entire weekend away in Mudgee just wine tasting, but there are some other dog-friendly sightseeing options available, mainly focused on the history of Mudgee and surrounding towns. 

1. Take a Day Trip to Hill End Historic Site

Just over an hour west of Mudgee are the remains of Hill End, once a thriving gold-mining town home to over 8000 residents. It’s a great spot to visit on a day trip, or stay overnight at either of the campgrounds, both of which are pet-friendly. 

Northeys Hill End with Dog
Exploring Hill End with Schnitzel

Only a fraction of the hundreds of buildings that once lined the streets in Hill End are still standing. At you walk along the streets, historic photographs show what the streets once looked like. The atmospheric location has also been immortalised by many Australian artists. 

Hill End with Dog
The historic site is a great spot for photography

While the historic site is run by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, dogs are welcome to join you exploring the village, except inside the heritage centre. There’s also no rules against dogs joining you on the walking track to Bald Hill Mine, or while fossicking at Tambaroora. I recommend stopping at Golden Gully to see the erosion resulting from the mining activities, although keep your dog on a short leash due to the unstable ground. 

While in Hill End, drop by the Royal Hotel or the General Store, both still operating. At the General Store Cafe dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area, with dog treats on offer. 

Hill End General Store
Dog-friendly outdoor tables at the General store in Hill End

2. Visit Historic Gulgong

Gulgong is another historic gold mining town in the area, made famous for appearing on the old ten dollar note. Unlike Hill End it’s still a proper town, although far smaller and quieter than it once was. It’s located just 30km north of Mudgee. 

While dogs are not allowed inside the fabulous Pioneers Museum or probably most of the art galleries around the town, it’s still worthwhile having a wander and checking out the historic buildings.  

Gulgong Historic Buildings
Much of Gulgong remains the same as it was 100 years ago

3. Take a Walking Tour Around Mudgee

Mudgee was established in the 1830s, even prior to the gold rush in the surrounding area, and is itself home to many historic buildings. The post office, police station, court house and Catholic Church all date to around 1860 and are heritage-listed. 

Mudgee Historic Buildings
Most of the historic buildings are along Market Street and Church Street

Every Saturday and Sunday morning a Heritage Walking Tour is run around Mudgee, showcasing its beautiful heritage buildings and sharing fascinating stories about the town. The tour is priced at $20 per adult, with kids free and dogs on a leash welcome. 

It’s possible to make a booking online, then meet tour guide Ned at 10am for the hour-long tour at the Clock Tower, on the corner of Market Street and Church Street.

Lesters Pharmacy Mudgee with Dog
The old tiles at the former Lester’s Pharmacy

4. Spot Sculptures Along the River

Take a stroll along the Cudgegong River in Mudgee, starting at Lawson Park, and spot the many sculptures installed along its banks, making up the Mudgee Sculpture Walk.

Mainly acquired from the yearly Sculptures in the Gardens exhibit (which is unfortunately not dog-friendly), you can still enjoy the artworks with your dog by your side, on this easy, flat walk.

5. Try a Gin and Spirits Tasting

If spirits are more your style than wine, check out Baker Williams Distillery to the north of the town. All their products are made locally in small batches, with a focus on fine produce. I’ve heard good reports about their gin and schnapps in particular.

Best of all, they’re dog-friendly both inside and at their outdoor tasting tables. The cellar door manager may even give preferential treatment to dog owners! Make a booking for a 30 minute tasting session.

Dog-Friendly Parks in Mudgee

In Mudgee there is a single off-leash dog exercise area, the Jennie Blackman Dog Park. It’s located at the Glen Willow Sporting Complex on Pitts Lane, just north of the town centre, and includes a double-gate and seating. 

Mudgee Off-Leash Dog Park
The Jennie Blackman Dog Park in Mudgee
Mudgee Off-leash Dog Park Gate
The park is fully fenced with a secure entrance

For more off-leash dog parks in the area check out the council website for details. In Gulgong, there’s the Peoples Park in Wynella Street. Further afield in Rystone there’s an area behind the Rylstone Showground, along the river to the bridge. 

Other great spots for on-leash dog walking in Mudgee are Lawson Park and the recently constructed cycle path, which follows the river and then heads to the Glen Willow Sporting Complex. 

Dog-Friendly Cafes in Mudgee

To find out which dining establishments around Mudgee are pet-friendly, I recommend picking up the Mudgee Region brochure I mentioned above, which has a helpful pet-friendly column in the listings at the back. There’s a wide variety of pet-friendly cafes, pubs and wine bars around Mudgee and the surrounding townships. 

A beautiful looking spot in the heart of Mudgee is Alby & Esthers, with its large cobblestone courtyard. At the moment it’s only open as a cafe during the day, serving up an all day menu, artisan coffee and housemade chai, but at times it also operates as a delightful wine bar during the evening hours.

Many of the wineries either have restaurants on-site or also offer platters along with their tastings. For instance, Di Lusso Estate offer lunch at their di Lusso Estate Trattoria from Friday to Wednesday. There’s an a la carte menu, plus wood-fired pizzas are available, perfect to go with their Italian varietals.  

Dog-Friendly Pubs in Mudgee

It’s not all about wine in Mudgee! One of the most popular spots to head right in town is the Mudgee Brewing Co. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor courtyard.

Drop in just for a tasting paddle, or stay longer for a meal, with pizzas, burgers and more substantial items on the menu. There’s also an extensive wine list of local drops.

Mudgee Brewing Co Courtyard
Head to the side courtyard at the Mudgee Brewing Co
Mudgee Brewing Co Beer Tasting
Tasting the beers at Mudgee Brewing Co.

Another more recent addition to the beer scene in Mudgee is the Three Tails Brewery and Smokehouse. With 18 taps of beer and a BBQ menu including ribs on the weekend, consider spending some time in their courtyard with your pup by your side. Dogs are also allowed inside.

Other dog-friendly watering holes around Mudgee include the beer garden at the Lawson Park Hotel, directly opposite Lawson Park, and the nearby Woolpack Hotel.

Are Dogs Allowed at the Markets?

The monthly Mudgee Farmers’ Market is pet-friendly, with well-behaved on-leash dogs welcome. The market is held on the 3rd Saturday of evening month, from 8:30am and 12:30pm, in Roberston Park. We recommend picking up some of the local sourdough to enjoy a picnic lunch later.

Mudgee Farmers Market with Dog
Checking out the Mudgee Farmers’ Market with Schnitzel

Dog-Friendly Accommodation in Mudgee

Mudgee offers a range of dog-friendly accommodation options, from five-star luxury through to camping sites. 

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive commission if you make a purchase using the links. See my full disclaimer.

Dog-Friendly Cottages & Resorts in Mudgee

A luxurious dog-friendly option in Mudgee is the five-star boutique accommodation at Evanslea. There are four luxury cottages, as well as the house available for larger groups. Surrounded by beautiful grounds and with a swimming pool onsite, each of the self-contained cottages also has a fireplace and on-site massages are available.

If you wish to stay with a pet, make sure you enquire in advance when booking, to ensure that your pet is approved. Note that an additional fee of $40 per pet per stay applies.

Evanslea with dogs
Dogs are made to feel at home at Evanslea ©Evanslea
Evanslea Lawns with dogs
Enjoying the gorgeous gardens at Evanslea ©Evanslea

Alternatively, to enjoy a weekend away in Mudgee with family or friends and your pups, consider Riverlea Retreat. Located 15 minutes south of Mudgee on the banks of the Cudgegong River, the retreat contains a 3-bedroom main house and 2-bedroom cottage, as well as a mineral swimming pool.

Up to two dogs or cats under 10kg are permitted. Note that they need to stay out of the bedrooms and off the furniture, plus the property isn’t fully fenced. Enquire about the pet cleaning fee.

Finally, for a simple getaway, consider the Parklands Resort & Conference Centre. Selected rooms in the resort are pet-friendly, plus there’s extensive grounds for on-leash walks. Contact the resort directly to enquire about availability.

Pet-Friendly Camping near Mudgee

If you’re wanting to camp in Mudgee, I’ve usually stayed at Mudgee Riverside Tourist Park. The park is a great location, just a few minutes stroll from the main street of Mudgee, with its cafes and brewery.  

Riverside Caravan Park Mudgee
The Riverside Caravan Park in Mudgee is pet-friendly

Dogs are allowed at the park with permission on both powered and site sites, but not in the cabins or villas. The cycle path passes the back of the path. It’s a great option for walking your dog on-leash, or it’s less than a kilometre flat walk along it to the local off-leash dog park. 

Riverside Caravan Park with Cycleway
The cycleway at the rear of the Riverside Caravan Park

Another popular camping spot in the region is Turon Gates. A little over an hour south of Mudgee, so close enough for a day trip, it’s located near Capertee, closer to Sydney. An authentic bush getaway, pets are welcome in both the Cottages and Cabins for an additional charge, as well as when camping.  

Turon Gates Cabin
A cabin with a view at Turon Gates © GM Photographics

Just be warned that access to Turon Gates is via a dirt road. While it is usually two-wheel drive accessible, four-wheel drive is required for caravans and campervans, and if you’re not used to unsealed roads you may want to reconsider.

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About the Author

Photo of Shandos & Schnitzel

Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.

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