Mudgee Archives - Adventure, baby!

Step back in time in Gulgong NSW

Take a walk through 19 century regional Australia in Gulgong, a former gold mining town in the Mudgee region of NSW.

In the 1870s people flocked to the town hoping to strike it rich. Gold was found at nearby Red Hill and 20,000 people came to the area seeking an easy fortune. Prior to the gold rush, Gulgong was just a large property for used for raising sheep. You can learn more about the gold rush at the Gulgong Pioneers Museum and on the Gulgong Gold Experience.

Gulgong has around 130 National Trust-listed buildings, many of which still have their original verandahs and iron-lace balconies.

The town is also home to Australia’s oldest operating opera house, the Prince of Wales Opera House. Dame Nellie Melba once performed at the Oper House, which opened in 1871.

Another museum to check out is the Gulong Holtermann Museum which features a collection of more than 350 photographs of the region from the UNESCO-listed Holtermann Collection and uses interactive displays to immerse visitors in the past.

Gulgong was also home to the great Australian writer and bush poet Henry Lawson, who spent his childhood in the area. Drop by the Henry Lawson Centre to learn about his life and legacy.

Things to do in Mudgee (with or without kids)

The famous wine town is a must-stop to enjoy strolling past the beautiful 19th century buildings, dining on excellent cuisine, sipping some locally-pressed wine and enjoying the country air. There are plenty of things to do in Mudgee!

Mudgee is a town with a lot of family history for us, so we have visited many times over the years.

A few of our favourites things to do in Mudgee:

Stroll through Lawson Park and along the Cudgegong River, stopping at the children’s playground or enjoying a picnic.

There are some lovely sculptures dotted around the river walk.

Taking a dip in Mudgee Swimming Pool and enjoying a splash in the new play area which includes a large water slide, rock pool, water spray platform, dumping bucket, spray cannons, jets and streams.