A weekend with friends in Mudgee in Central NSW. Not only a great destination but a very enjoyable journey! It is always interesting to discover new territory. Cool winter temperatures but clear blue skies.
We drove up through Oberon and then up through some back roads, passing through Portland, where we discovered a remarkable mural on wheat silos, painted by Guido Van Helton.
This photo gives you an indication to the massive size
A surprising sight today with a usually nocturnal wombat crossing a quiet backroad in front of us.
The beautiful Windamere Dam south of Mudgee. Its purpose is for hydro-power, irrigation and water supply.
Our wining and dining began with a nutritious lunch at Alby and Esther’s Cafe on Market Street in Mudgee.
The six of us are staying at an Air BnB close to town. Our first entre into Mudgee winery scene was to the Robert Stein Winery and their Pipeclay Pumphouse restaurant. A set degustation menu with choices for each course. Excellent foods and wines and a wonderful ambience.
Jenny, Brian, Peter, Penny, Mark and me.
Gulgong - 20 minutes drive from Mudgee. It is an old gold-mining town, established in 1850s when gold was initially discovered. It is now famous for its most distinguished resident, poet Henry Lawson.
Time for lunch. We drove back to Mudgee hoping to eat at the De Lusso Winery, pizza, its lunch specialty. Unfortunately, a very busy weekend, they were booked out, so we had to look elsewhere.
Nearby Lowe’s Winery were serving taster plates.
Blue wrens in the bushes nearby
In the last 20 years Mudgee has undergone a major renaissance due to its wine industry. The nineteenth century and Art Deco architecture has been well preserved.
Our booking for Saturday night was at a tapas restaurant, highly recommended, Elton’s on Market Street.
Breakfast, before we drove off into different directions, was at Artisan on Lewis. We plan to meet in Orange next time.
Driving south along the ranges of the Great Divide
We took a detour to the two small gold-mining towns of Sofala and Hill End, which have been popular subjects of many Australian painters.
Sofala - Russell Drysdale 1947
Hill End is about 45 minutes west of Sofala
Hill End - Anita Bentley 1951
A beautiful drive
Lots of feed for kangaroos
Driving through Binda
Traditional farmhouses and outbuildings with sheep grazing on the hillside
Kangaroos out in large number in the fading light
A fiery sunset
M&M
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