Guide to living in Mudgee, NSW

Mudgee is a heritage-full country town located in the Central West Region of NSW. It’s become a popular tree-change destination for those seeking respite from city-life and want to have easy access to nature. 

Let’s explore all the delights of Mudgee, NSW.

Where is Mudgee?

Mudgee is located in the Central West of NSW. Mudgee is just 250 kilometres north west from Central Sydney along the Great Western and Castlereagh Highways. 

Mudgee is a 280 kilometre picturesque drive from Newcastle. And, in the other direction, it’s around a 1.5 hour drive to Dubbo.

The town is located in a broad, fertile valley around the Cudgegong River, so is surrounded by gentle hills and stunning views.

What’s good about living in Mudgee?

Mudgee is a delightful town of wide, tree-lined streets and historic buildings that hark back to gold rush days, all amid breathtaking landscapes. You’ll always feel at home when you see the elegant church spire near the stand-alone clock tower.

Mudgee offers an ideal mix of country charm (and calm) and urban sophistication. Its natural beauty and vineyards attract visitors as well as making locals feel content with where they’ve chosen to live.

One definition of the word ‘Mudgee’ (an Aboriginal name) is ‘nest in the hills’. Might you find your ideal home in Mudgee?

Transport in Mudgee

Within Mudgee, car travel is easy due to the town-size, wide uncrowded streets, and the abundance of car-parking. 

Further afield, the drive to Sydney takes around 3.5 hours, including very scenic travel over the Blue Mountains. Travelling to Mudgee to Sydney is also possible by bus (to Lithgow) then a train. At the time of writing, flights between Mudgee and Sydney had just ceased, however with Mudgee having its own airport, this situation may well change in the future. 

The drive to Newcastle is generally just over 3.5 hours, taking you on a scenic drive between the Wollemi and Goulburn River National Parks. 

Schools in and near Mudgee

Mudgee Public primary school is co-located with Mudgee High School in the centre of town. There's also Cudgegong Valley Public School just near Mudgee Park. 

Catholic-based education is also available in town at St Matthews Catholic School, which has a primary campus in the north of town and a newer Secondary Campus (which opened in 2023) on the southern edge of Mudgee. 

Leisure, Eating & Shopping in Mudgee

The Mudgee region is the third largest grape-growing region in NSW. That means there are plenty of vineyards for you to explore, both for the wine and the beauty of the plantations among the hills. With most of the 40 wineries offering cellar doors, that’s a good few weekends taken care of, and a great drawcard for friends and family to visit your new home.

Exploring the great outdoors is another benefit of living in Mudgee. History buffs can enjoy the Henry Lawson Heritage Trail. Those into watersports and fishing can enjoy the nearby Windamere Dam. Mudgee is just over 50 kilometres from the Goulburn River National Park, complete with riverbank walks, animal spotting and camping opportunities. 

Back in town, Mudgee is a haven for those who love their food as well as their wine. Tourism articles spruik the high-quality cafes and restaurants, including those specialising in paddock-to-plate style local produce-based fare.

In terms of shopping, Mudgee offers smaller boutique stores as well as major supermarket brands so that your essential and occasion-specific shopping needs are easily met.

What is the weather like in Mudgee?

Clear skies are a feature of Mudgee, with an average of 113 rain-free days a year. Summertime sees warm to hot temperatures (average daytime top temperatures of 30 degrees) and winters are chilly (average overnights down to 2 degrees with days a cool 15 degrees). 

Is Mudgee a good investment?

Mudgee’s population is gradually growing, as is Mudgee’s real estate median house and rental prices. With new families discovering the delights of Mudgee each year, there's a good prospect of the Mudgee property profile seeing further growth. 

Perhaps the best investment though is life in a quality-built home in a charming town that’s big enough for you to grow into yet small enough that you can get to know your new community. 

If you’re ready to consider Mudgee for your home, please check out our Ready Built Homes that are available right now. With Ready Built, there’s no need to wait for approvals or the building process. The high-quality, family-friendly houses are ready for you to choose from, then personalise once you’ve moved in. Rawson Ready Built means you can make your move to Mudgee a reality as soon as you’re ready! See our Mudgee Ready Built homes today. 

FAQs

Is Mudgee a good place to live?

Mudgee is a great place to live and raise a family. You’ll find your community within a relaxed country town lifestyle, all surrounded by rolling hills and big central NSW skies. 

What Aboriginal land is Mudgee on?

Mudgee is on the land of the Mudgee and Dabee clans of the Wiradjuri people. You’ll see from this that Mudgee is an Aboriginal word, which has been variously translated to ‘resting place’ or ‘nest in the hills’. 

What is the population of Mudgee?

In mid-2023, the estimated population was just over 12,500 people. There are also a couple of thousand people living in nearby smaller towns, including Gulgong, Kandos and Rylstone.