Mudgee, Australia: A Colonial Wonder
Familiar for its rural Australian charm, and fertile wine valleys, Mudgee is a historic township located in the central west of the Australian state of NSW.
The origins of this historic township date back to the mid 19th century when European settlers arrived in Australia and asserted their presence in the area. Traditionally, the name ‘Mudgee’ in its native Aboriginal tongue is pronounded ‘Moothi’, meaning ‘nest in the hills’ as coined by the original ancestral owners; being the tribe of ‘Wiradjuri’.
The land within the Mudgee township and surroundings was favoured by early European settlers because of its presence alongside the Cudgegong River, renowned for its fertile soils and wetlands which would prove to be favourable for the development of agriculture, and as history would have it, an influx of wine valleys.
Wine Valleys and Economic Climate
On the topic of wine valleys, the fertile wine harvest of Mudgee has ensured a thriving and booming rural economy which has earned the geographical region of Mudgee major prominence as a rural New South Wales (NSW) tourist destination.
With a well-pronounced wine-making industry, the local economic climate within the township of Mudgee is bolstered heavily around the mass production and export of locally grown wines both Australia-wide and internationally.
It is estimated that the domestic production of wines in the Mudgee region totals approximately $ 550 million in local economic revenue each year. Not bad, when the population of the township is only estimated to be barely over 8000 people!
Tourism and Attractions
With great wine, comes great tourism, and Mudgee is a simple testament to these words. For a small township, the region of Mudgee actually pulls an estimated tourist population of 20,000+ people on average, annually.
Mudgee is appreciated by both domestic and international tourists for its simple, country charm and colonial decadence. With wine as a staple part of tourism, the region fixates its profits primarily around food and wine with a bountiful supply of local pubs, taverns and restaurants in historic buildings.
The Cudgegong River also acts as a great attraction to families and avid fishermen for those who wish to get out and explore the natural surrounds. If you’re looking to explore some of the town’s colonial charm, then you may want to check out the historic Presbyterian Church – a grandiose site, and certainly an unmissable one when lit up at night! – or even the local train station, erected in 1884 and boasting a marvelous design by architect John Whitton.
There are various other architectural marvels within Mudgee worth noting, such as the Post Office, designed by Colonial architect Alerxander Dawson in 1860, and the local police station and stables.
Accommodation in Mudgee
Mudgee’s accommodation options are centered around the lifestyles of the townspeople. The most common accommodation option in Mugdee is the colonial style self-contained apartments and villas, with hotels and motels also available to supplement the demand of tourism in such a small region.
The accommodation industry in Mudgee is highly competitive, therefore prices are usually deemed quite fair and reasonable.
So, what do you know of Mudgee? Feel free to share your experiences of this beautiful township!
