Mudgee sits less than four hours drive from Sydney (or 268km to be exact), if you’re travelling from the NSW capital. Mosey along the Great Western Highway, through the Blue Mountains to get there – it’s just past Lithgow that you’ll find the turn off to the town of 12,000. It’s worth breaking up your road trip along the way if you have the time to spare – we’d suggest paying a visit to the towns of Katoomba and Gulgong.

Glamping accommodation at Evamor Valley belongs on any guide to where to eat, drink, and stay in Mudgee. The region takes its name from the Indigenous Wiradjuri word ‘moothi’, which means ‘nest in the hills’, an apt description of Evamor Valley on the outskirts of town. Each of the six eco tents present have been thoughtfully designed to blend in with the natural beauty of the surrounding 34-ha property, and positioned with privacy in mind. Evamor Valley is designed for those who love the outdoors – each tent is fitted with luxe linens and rugs, textured throws and flower-filled vases and includes an ensuite and fully equipped kitchenette. Not to mention an outdoor fire and outdoor hot tub under a sky studded with stars. evamorvalley.com.au

Neighbouring Mudgee is the hamlet of Frog Rock, home to fellow accommodation option Balabudgee. The family-run bed and breakfast is set on a 250 acre property and plays host to a flock of animals (including a bull called Ian), as well as a very impressive vegetable garden. Guests call a private wing of the rammed-earth farmhouse home during their stay, with two bedrooms to choose from, as well as access to a breakfast room, a kitchenette, laundry, courtyard and firepit, and have the option of a daily breakfast, made in house. balabudgee.au

One of the few hotels in town, Cobb & Co is heritage-laden Mudgee accommodation that wil appeal to the history buffs. Conveniently close to town centre, the venue offers 16 different suites and loft-style apartments to rest your head. All are furnished in clean and comfortable period-style, decked out with vintage fixtures that are fitting of a 160-year-old building. cobbandcocourt.com.au

Begin the day with breakfast or brunch at Alby + Esthers, a charming cafe housed in a building from1873, that originally served as the headquarters of a stock and station agent. Take a seat in the cosy room off the courtyard to enjoy one of the best breakfasts in Mudgee – think signature locally smoked ham egg and Swiss cheese with house-made tomato relish on the side. Monica Campbell is the third owner of Alby + Esthers and she’s tethered her hospitality skills working on superyachts to the café that she used to visit as a young girl. The all-day menu extends to sandwiches, burgers and bowls – it’s a Mudgee mainstay. albyandesthers.com.au

The Stein family’s wine-growing lineage dates back to 1838 making the Pipeclay Pumphouse a prime location for a boozy lunch. Skip the cellar door and opt for the Robert Stein Wine Flight to accompany the six-course set menu dreamt up by Chef Sean Pye, which focuses on stellar produce sourced locally and seasonally. It includes a charcuterie platter, heirloom beetroot carpaccio with ricotta and carrot and mussel mariniere with house-made bread. pipeclaypumphouse.com.au

Food tourists might want to pick up a few souvenirs from the High Valley Mudgee Cheese Co. known for creating some of the region’s best artisanal cheeses. The milk used to produce the cheese is sourced from the Little Big Dairy Co. in Dubbo, which help the small-batch cheesemakers to craft such quality (and tasty) morsels. The High Valley Fetta and Colly Blue come highly recommended. highvalley.com.au

Another of the best cafes in Mudgee is Eltons Bar + Bites. This striking heritage building features grand stone archways and geometric lead lighting, and pays homage to Eltons Pharmacy which occupied the 1800’s building from the 1920s to 1992. Today a colourful mural of Elton John decorates an entire wall of the eatery, accompaning a modern menu of snack plates and craft beers that makes for a relaxed lunch space. instagram.com/eltonsmudgee

Sitting on the grounds of Lowe Family Wine Co, this Mudgee restaurant occupies what was once the Lowe family farmhouse. Kim Currie is the owner and oversees the kitchen team here, plucking ingredients from the vineyard and farm’s adjoining organic and biodynamic gardens. Post-dinner (with set menu available only), it’s worth a wander to explore the venue’s expansive grounds. lowefamilywineco.com.au/zinhouse

Best for breakfast, Althea by Zin is an off-shoot of The Zin House but adored locally as a venue in its own right. This corner cafe is the place locals go to keep their croissant cravings at bay. Gather with Mudgee locals around a rowdy table in the garden to hoover up caramel-crusted caneles or meat pies washed down with a couple of ristrettos. You can pick up some provisions from the Althea by Zin pantry to take home with you too. lowefamilywineco.com.au

Stay in one of 57 impeccably designed luxury guest rooms and suites at this very-new, very-luxe boutique with a dedicated wellbeing studio. Here you can lean into sauna and float therapy to leave all your stress behind. theclairfieldhotel.com.au

This award-winning and premiere luxury eco glamping experience is located only 20 minutes-drive to the town of Mudgee. You’ll be surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and breathtaking views, complete with an open bath and campfire. sierraescape.com.au

Located right in the heart of Mudgee, you’ll find Perry Street Hotel. You’ll find 13 stylish self-contained suites with luxury king beds and modern décor, all while being a stones throw from all the action. peppertreecollection.com.au

At this 33-acre wellness retreat in Mudgee, you’ll feel calmer simply by walking through the door. Every element of the design at Zensi has been carefully considered to help guests slow down and connect to nature. zensiretreat.com.au

The dinky little Church Market is held on the first Saturday of the month. It’s filled with locals wearing Blundstones and hefting brown paper bags filled with seasonal produce. The family-friendly affair sees a crowd of all ages gather to gander at stallholders selling everything from goat’s milk soap to embroidered textiles, vintage glassware and olive oil with a grassy tang. You’ll also find fresh loaves of bread, cheese, salami, eggs fresh from the farm and wine. visitnsw.com