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 Wineries in Mudgee
Many of the wineries around Mudgee are pet-friendly, with dogs allowed either inside or outside. In the back of the Mudgee Region magazine there are listings of local businesses from accommodation to cafes to cellar doors, including an indication of which ones are pet-friendly – nearly all wineries are.
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.
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 around the property. There’s also the option to put together platters at the Cellar Door Kitchen and enjoy on the grounds, with bookings required for picnics. Dogs are also welcome in parts of the onsite restaurants.
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.
Unfortunately, in recent years they have changed their pet policy to only allow pets outside of public holiday weekends, and pets are not allowed inside. 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, and skip this cellar door if the a terrace tasting isn’t possible. When operating, there are outdoor heaters to keep you warm.
Two of the other pet-friendly cellar doors I recommend are di Lusso Estate and Robert Stein. 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 (not inside), where water bowls are provided.
Robert Stein is open daily for tastings and lunch, with a food truck onsite offering a short seasonal menu focused on local produce. Dogs are welcome to join you, as long as they are friendly with the resident wine dogs. For something different, don’t also miss visiting the free motorcycle museum onsite, home to the collection of founder Robert Stein.
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 magazine, 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.
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.
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 handed out at the time of my visit.
#2 Visit Historic Gulgong
Gulgong is another historic gold mining town in the area, 30km north of Mudgee, 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. Take a wander and check out the historic buildings around town.
I’ve also recently heard reports that dogs are allowed inside the Gulgong Pioneers Museum. This museum is a fascinating rabbit-warren of rooms with old wares and displays of historic equipment. Double check whether your dog is allowed and allow a few hours for your visit.
#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.
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.
#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 Stroll Around the Wetlands
One of the other options for a dog-friendly walk around Mudgee are the Putta Bucca Wetlands, located on the northern edge of town.
There is a 2km walk around the wetlands, an easy and flat walk. Dogs are welcome to join you on it, as long as they are kept on a leash. There are also two newly built bird hides, but perhaps leave them to serious bird watchers without dogs.
#6 Browse the Farmers’ Market
Well-behaved on-leash dogs are welcome to join at the monthly Mudgee Farmers’ Market, the perfect spot for sampling and purchasing local produce. I particularly recommend picking up some of the local sourdough to enjoy a picnic lunch later.
The market is held on the 3rd Saturday of every month, from 8:30am and 12:30pm, in Roberston Park. Water bowls for dogs were also provided on the day I visited.
#7 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.
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 magazine 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 most days, except on Monday and Thursday outside of school holidays. 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.
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.
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 applies per stay.
To enjoy a weekend away in Mudgee with family or friends and your pups, make a booking at Wandarra Homestead. This private and tranquil property is located just 15 minutes out of Mudgee, surrounded by 25 acres. There are four spacious bedrooms that can accommodate up to nine guests.
Up to two dogs are warmly accommodated on request – just let the property know in advance. There are no size restrictions. Just note that dogs should not be left unattended on the property and they should sleep inside at night, to protect the local wildlife – bring their own dog bed or crate, plus pet blankets for the lounge.
Another pet-friendly accommodation option is the Parklands Resort & Conference Centre. Selected rooms in the resort are pet-friendly, with plenty of space for on-leash walks around the grounds. Pet-friendly rooms call only be booked over the phone.
Best of all, the resort is home to the recently launched Mudgee Retreats. Stay the night in a luxury glamping tent, each with a four-posted king bed, modern ensuite and private deck, plus breakfast delivered in the morning. Dogs are welcome in selected tents (the only pet-friendly glamping option in Mudgee I’ve uncovered), with direct bookings required.
Pet-Friendly Camping near Mudgee
If you’re wanting to camp in your own caravan or tent 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.
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.
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.
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
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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Thanks Shandos for your experiences of dog-friendly places. We just visited Logan Wines, April ‘24. They’re not what I’d call dog friendly; more like begrudgingly tolerant. It’s as though they just ticked the ‘pet friendly’ box so they would get dog owners’ business. I met two women upon entering; I advised we had booked a tasting & asked which way should my husband bring our dog in from the car park. They failed to mask their bristle & then muttered a few exchanges with each other before instructing us to bring him around the side; we could tie him up outside on the deck, but they insisted ‘we do the wine tasting inside’. We were disappointed that our planned lunchtime of sitting in the sun sipping wine with our dog was not to be. He was impeccably behaved but the poor pooch had to sit by himself staring through the window at us whilst we were forced to do the tasting inside.
We remained optimistic about the tasting & opted for the $20/head(!) of so-called top shelf wines. We found them all very light & lacking body. We also ordered a cheese plate; it was delivered to our table without a word about what was on the plate: we had to call someone back over to tell us something of the cheese’s & accompaniments.
There’s other reviews of this place with people sitting on the deck enjoying a tasting; it was plainly obstinate & selfish of these ladies to insist that we had to be inside.
That’s a pity to hear. They were very welcoming when we last visited with our dog, but I know they have changed some rules. But not doing outdoor tastings is surprising! I’ll be updating the list of wineries soon.