yolks so vivid I actually gasp — and
Swiss cheese, with a side of homemade
tomato relish.
I hear a girl at the neighbouring table
ask the waiter what a Dunedoo egg is, and
have a little chuckle. “It just means they
come from a farm in Dunedoo,” he offers
with a smile. Yes, the local produce theme
continues here too, with many nearby
paddocks providing produce. Every dish
has a local accent and the menu proudly
lists its providores: I see that the Dunedoo
eggs come from Farmer Brown, the Nanima
Farm lamb hails from nearby Wellington,
and those artisans from the High Valley
Cheese Company make yet another
appearance. They even source their fruit
cordials and kombucha locally.
In the evening, the space transforms into a
lively tapas wine bar serving platters and share
plates piled high with more local goodies. The
wines by the glass are also mostly Mudgee, and
the cocktails are inventive and well priced.The chefs of Mudgee are a lucky lot indeed.
It’s so easy to embrace the fresh, seasonal
and local philosophy when you are
surrounded by such bounty. The food and
wine community here are very close and
supportive of each other and they set the bar
extremely high. For anyone wanting a large
dose of gourmet indulgence, a trip to
Mudgee is a must. Just don’t forget to pack
your stretchy pants.The writer travelled courtesy of
Destination NSW.Left, top to bottom
Dishes at Pipeclay
Pumphouse come fresh
from the surrounding
garden; A decadent
dessert at Pipeclay
Pumphouse; Free
range pigs provide for
Pipeclay’s smallgoods.
Above Perry Street
Hotel: heritage on the
outside, modern on
the inside.G O U R M ET GETAWAYGet there
Mudgee is a very pretty three-to-four hour drive over the Blue Mountains from Sydney. It is also
serviced by regional airlines, including Pelican Airlines and QantasLink.
Book at flypelican.com.au, qantas.com
Where to stay
Perry Street Hotel, corner of Perry and Gladstone streets, 02 6372 7650, perrystreethotel.com.au
The Horatio Motel, 15 Horatio Street, 02 6372 7727, horatiomotelmudgee.com.au
What to do
If you need a break from all the eating and drinking, Ferntree Gully Reserve offers walking tracks
through stunning scenery and unspoilt wilderness.
More information
visitmudgeeregion.com.auFACT FILE