St Mary's Roman Catholic Church

 

Mudgee (including Eurunderee)
Interesting and important town with a number of historic buildings
'Mudgee' reputedly derives from the Wiradjuri Aboriginal term 'Moothi' meaning 'nest in the hills'. This is a suitable title as Mudgee is an attractive town of fine old buildings, located in the broad, picturesque and fertile Cudgegong River Valley. Surrounded by hills of green and blue, it is situated 265 km north-west of Sydney, 470 m above sea-level and has a current population of around 8200. The area is noted for its fine wool, beef, fat lambs, cereal crops, lucerne, vegetables, vineyards and honey. There is also a coal mine at Ulan, a large export abattoir, a livestock exchange and numerous horse, sheep and cattle studs.

The first European in the immediate vicinity was James Blackman who headed north to the Mudgee area from what is now Wallerawang in 1821, becoming the first European to cross the Cudgegong River. It is known that he had a slab building on the townsite by 1837.

Once Blackman proved the route passable William Lawson, who had failed in an earlier attempt, travelled north to Mudgee where he found some excellent grazing land. Lawson had been a member of the first European party to cross the Blue Mountains in 1813 and was then commandant of Bathurst. He later took up 6000 acres along the Cudgegong River.

He was immediately followed by George and Henry Cox (sons of William Cox who built the first road over the Blue Mountains) who became the first permanent European settlers on the Cudgegong River when they established the 'Menah' run, 3 km north-west of the present townsite. It was here that the first settlement developed. A police station and lock-up were established in 1833.

Prior to that time the district had been occupied by the Wiradjuri people. Relations were amicable when white numbers were negligible but, as settlement escalated in the 1820s, conflict increased. Kangaroos and possums, major food sources, were slaughtered wholesale by whites. Sacred sites were desecrated and prime riverside land was taken. In 1824 martial law was declared and armed settlers roamed the countryside murdering Aborigines on sight, thereby decimating the tribe which was dispossessed and completely broken by the 1840s. William Cox, who made a significant contribution to their extermination, claimed the last local black died in 1876.

The village of Mudgee was gazetted in 1838. By 1841 there were 36 dwellings, mostly of slab construction, including three hotels, a hospital, a post office, two stores and the first Anglican church. The first school (Anglican) was established in a slab hut in the 1840s and the police station was moved from Menah to Mudgee in the mid-1840s. The population had only reached about 200 by 1851.

However, a goldrush began when a huge nugget was found at Hargraves in 1851. Mudgee became a centre for the local goldfields, benefiting considerably from the consequent through-traffic which peaked with the finds at Gulgong and Hill End at the beginning of the 1870s.

It is a sign of Mudgee's early success that the population increased to 1500 by 1861 and it was declared a municipality in 1860, making it the second-oldest town west of the Great Dividing Range. Methodist and Presbyterian churches, the present Catholic and Anglican churches and the first National school were all built in the 1850s. In addition a police station, courthouse, post office, mechanics institute, the present Uniting Church and a town hall were added from 1860 to 1865. There were four coach factories operating in the 1860s to cater for the overwhelming transport demands.

Fortunately, Mudgee was not just dependent on gold. The immediate area became noted for its quality wool and merino studs, its vineyards (introduced by a German immigrant in the 1850s) and its agricultural production. When the gold began to peter out late in the 19th century it was the strength of these staples which sustained the town. When the railway arrived in 1884, it further boosted agricultural sales.

One of Australia's most famous poets and short-story writers, Henry Lawson (1867-1922), had very strong ties to Mudgee. His parents were married here in 1866. But for a brief stay at Gulgong, he was raised, from the age of six months to 15 years, in a cottage 8 km north at Eurunderee which was established after a gold find in 1863. Lawson was educated at Eurunderee and Mudgee and many of his stories are inspired by his memories of the area.

Of more infamous repute are the Governor brothers, Aboriginal bushrangers who, in 1900, went on a murderous three-month rampage, killing ten people (see entry on Gilgandra). One victim was 70-year-old Kiernan Fitzpatrick who was shot in front of his hut near Wollar, 48 km north-east of Mudgee. Consequently, the Aborigines of Wollar were forcibly removed to the Brewarrina mission.

The Mudgee Wine Festival runs throughout September, the Mudgee Show in March and the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days in July at the Australian Rural Education Centre, 3 km north of Mudgee, off Henry Lawson Drive, near the airport. Markets are held on the first Saturday of the month at St John's Anglican Church, and at Lawson Park on the second Saturday.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
Mudgee Visitors' Centre at 84 Market St is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. weekdays, from 9.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Saturdays, and from 9.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. on Sundays and public holidays, tel: (02) 6372 1020.

 

Heritage Buildings
The following walk is not identical to the town walk outlined in the information centre's 'Mudgee Walks' pamphlet.

Market St
On the eastern side of the information centre is the Classical Revival stuccoed-brick post office (1862). One of the first major country post offices in the state, it features an arcade with a pediment parapet and small belltower. On the western side are the old police station and stables (1860).

The park was Mudgee's first market place and the venue of the first Mudgee Show in 1846. It has beautiful gardens, a band rotunda (1903), free electric barbecues and childrens' play facilities.

Head west along Market St. To the right, just past Douro St, are the old offices of Cudgegong Shire, located in a two-storey brick building (1885). Further west is the simple brick-and-iron courthouse (1861), with its elaborate wrought-iron dock.

 

Court St
Turn right into Court St. At the south-western corner of Court and Short Sts is the former St Matthew's Convent which operated here from 1874-1880.

 

 

Colonial Inn Museum

 

Colonial Inn Museum
Return to Market St and continue west. Just past Cox St, to the right, is the Colonial Inn Museum, formerly the West End Hotel (erected in 1856 on land taken up by George Cox in 1822). A bar, parlour, bedroom and kitchen have been recreated in 1870s fashion. Some of the items derive from the old Budgee Budgee Inn, 10 km north on the Cassilis Rd. It also has a large historic photograph collection and is open Saturdays and school holidays from 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. while hours on Sundays and public holidays are from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (02) 6372 3078.

 

Blackman Park
Head south on Cox St for one block to the Mortimer St corner. Blackman Park was a cemetery from 1844-88. Although the headstones were removed to Memorial Park, it still contains the Blackman Vault at its western boundary which contains the remains of James Blackman who, in 1821, became the first European in the area.

 

Mortimer St
Head east along Mortimer St to the Douro St corner where you will find the aforementioned headstones in Memorial Park. Continue east to St Paul's Presbyterian Church (1875-78) on the right. The church hall and Sunday school were the town's original Presbyterian church (1857).

 

Perry St
Turn left up Perry St. To the right is the Salvation Army Citadel (1889). To the left is Lovejoy St. The building at 1 Lovejoy St is the old Australian Joint Stock Bank (1865).

At the south-western corner of Perry and Gladstone Sts is the old Mechanics Institute (1861), now a private home. The High Victorian Gothic schoolhouse (1876) is on the western side of Perry St, between Gladstone and Denison Sts. The original section is now part of the primary school.

 

Uniting Church
Return to Mortimer St and continue eastwards. To the right is the Methodist (now Uniting) Church, built 1863-64. The first Wesleyan Chapel was built in 1853 and is now incorporated into the block of shops at the corner of Mortimer and Church Sts.

 

Lewis St
Continue east then turn left into Lewis St. To the left, about halfway along the block, is the second site of St Matthew's Convent which transferred to this spot in 1880. Poet Henry Lawson briefly studied here.

 

Lawson Park
At the end of the road turn left into Short St. Lawson Park, on the banks of the Cudgegong River, has two sandstone monuments - one constructed in 1910 to commemorate 50 years of local government and the other from 1921 to denote the centenary of European discovery. There are free electric barbecues, picnic facilities, a swimming pool and childrens' play facilities.

Opposite is the Lawson Park Hotel, built c.1860 as Tattersalls. It is a rare survivor of a council order to dispense with balconies. In recent times this order has been comprehensively reversed with the current council actively encouraging the restoration of old balconies and verandahs.

 

 

State Bank (the old Rural Bank)

 

Market St Again
Turn left down Church St. At the south-eastern corner of Market and Church Sts is the Gothic Revival St Mary's Catholic Church. The sanctuary and vestry are part of the original 1857 sandstone building, with the present body added in 1873-76 and the steeple in 1911. The presbytery (1851-52) is one of the oldest standing buildings in Mudgee.

On the north-western corner is St John the Baptist's Anglican Church (1860-61). The large organ dates from 1881 and the church has some notable stained-glass windows. Adjacent (in Church St) is the Sunday school hall, built in 1860 as an Anglican school.

Heading west on Market St are the old town hall (1880), now the town library, and the old two-storey CBC Bank building (1884). Over the road is the Colonial Mecca Building. It was built in the 1850s as the Town Hall Hotel. The front wall was reconstructed from local stone and is full of leaf and fish fossils, petrified wood and some interesting stone shapes.

 

St John the Baptist Anglican Church

 

 

Railway Station
Just outside the scope of the walk, at the corner of Church and Inglis Sts, is the elegant Victorian-era railway station with its French Empire style roof. It was designed by John Whitton and built 1883-84. Special event and some goods trains now use the Mudgee Railway station that also houses Mandurah at the Railway which displays local arts and crafts daily from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., tel: (02) 6372 2822.

 

Lookout
If you continue south along Church St, take the second right into Madeira Rd, then the third right at the top of the hill, it will take you to Flirtation Hill Lookout.

 

Henry Lawson
One of Australia's most famous poets and short-story writers, Henry Lawson (1867-1922), had very strong ties to Mudgee. His parents were married here in 1866. Although Henry was born at the Grenfell goldfields, he was raised, from the age of six months to 15 years, in a cottage 8 km north of Mudgee at Eurunderee (then known as 'Pipeclay'), which was established after a gold find in 1863. He briefly attended the local Catholic school. Lawson later swapped stories with 'Duke' Tritton at Mudgee's Miner's Arms Hotel and wrote much of his work while living in the area late in the 19th century.

The Wallaby Track drive tour takes in various sites associated with Lawson and his writing, including the old Eurunderee School, the Henry Lawson Memorial, the Budgee Budgee Inn (out on the Cassilis Road), Sapling Gully, Golden Gully and the site of the Albury Pub which was owned by Lawson's grandfather. A guiding pamphlet is available from the Mudgee Visitors' Centres.

The Henry Lawson Memorial is a landscaped picnic area which centres on the brick fireplace which is all that remains of the Lawson family house, otherwise demolished in 1946. It is 8 km north of Mudgee on the right-hand side of Henry Lawson Drive, between the Mudgee and Montrose wineries. To get there follow the Cassilis Rd past the racecourse and turn left into Henry Lawson Drive (the road to Gulgong via Home Rule). The Memorial is 5 km along this road, to the right.

1 km further north, at the corner of Henry Lawson Drive and Strikes Lane, is the restored Eurunderee Provisional School. The school has an historical display relating to Lawson's attendance and to the general history of the institution. It is open by appointment only. Contact (02) 6373 3981 for more information.

Eurunderee school was erected on the site of the 'Old Bark School' which Lawson's parents helped build in 1876. The older institution was where Lawson's formal education commenced when, at the age of nine, he became a member of the school's first class.

 

Galleries and Studios
Layton Galleries sells Wendy Layton's paintings, ceramics and sculptures. It is located at 34 Lewis St and is open Friday to Sunday from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. (closed from December 23 to February 1). There is a 50%off sale every November, tel: (02) 6372 2176.

Settlers Store Antiques and Gallery sells old wares and a range of artworks, pottery and handicrafts. There is also a coffee shop. It is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday and is located at 131 Mortimer St, tel: (02) 6372 3612.

If you turn off the Cassilis Rd into Wollar Rd and follow it for about 9 km to no.889 you will come to Stony Creek Studio which is a mud-brick building in scenic surrounds displaying the works of Ross and Judy Kurtz. It is open 10.00am - 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday and most weekdays tel: (02) 6373 5266.

 

Platt's Wines
There are over 34 cellar doors and over 150 wineries in the area, mostly to the north and north-east of town. If you head north-east out of town on the Cassilis Rd it is about 2 km to the intersection of Cassilis Rd and Henry Lawson Drive where you will find Platt's Wines. This winery, along with a distillery, was built in 1895 and it has been restored to its former use. Semillon, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, gewurztraminer and saxa bridge are grown and there is a cafe, guesthouse, art exhibition space and a range of local produce. It is open 9.00 am - 5.00 pm seven days a week. tel: (02) 6372 7041.

 

Pieter van Gent Winery
About 1.5 km further along Cassilis Rd (approximately 5.5 km from Mudgee) is another turnoff on the left into Black Springs Road where you will find the Pieter van Gent Winery. This small family winery, situated adjacent Pipeclay Creek, produces a chardonnay, a port and a white port. There is a self-contained two-bedroom cottage for weekend and holiday accommodation, tel: (02) 6373 3030. Open 9.00 am - 5.00 pm Monday to Saturday and 11.00 am - 4.00 pm on Sunday.

 

Mansfield Wines
As you drive along Black Springs Road, en route to the Van Gent Winery, you will cross Eurunderee Rd, which runs east-west between Henry Lawson Drive and Cassilis Road. If you turn left into Eurunderee Rd you will soon pass Mansfield Wines on the northern side of the road. Established in 1975 it produces a substantial range of table wines, sparkling wines, fortified wines and grape juice. There is a friendship farm, a playground, picnic areas and catering for large groups. The cellar door is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Thursday to Monday., tel: (02) 6373 3871.

 

Huntington Estate Wines
About 2 km further along Cassilis Rd (7.5 km from Mudgee), on the left-hand side of the road, is Huntington Estate Wines which produces table wines and red wine for home bottling. The cellar door is open weekdays from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Saturdays from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and Sundays from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. The Huntington Chamber Music Festival is also held here, tel: (02) 6373 3825.

 

Steins Wines
A little over a kilometre further along Cassilis Road (about 9 km from Mudgee) is a turnoff on the right into Pipeclay Lane where you will find Steins Wines which produces cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon shiraz, chardonnay and semillon. The cellar door is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.. There is a permanent motorcycle collection on display and a barbecue and picnic area, tel: (02) 6373 3991.

 

Botobolar Vineyard
About 10 km north-east of Mudgee, along Cassilis Rd, is a major turnoff, on the right, into Wollar Road. A little over 5 km along Wollar Road is another turnoff on the right into Botobolar Road. A short distance along, to the left, at no.89, is Botobolar Vineyard which produces organically grown wines. Varieties include shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, marsanne, crouchen and chardonnay. Barbecue and picnic facilities are available and lunches are provided by arrangement. The cellar door is open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and Sundays and holidays from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m., tel: (02) 6373 3840.

 

Poet's Corner Winery
Head north-east out of Mudgee on Cassilis Road. After 2 km turn left into Henry Lawson Drive. About 1 km along Henry Lawson Drive turn left into Craigmoor Rd. At its end is Poet's Corner Winery which was originally established in 1858. Today it produces semillon, chardonnay, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, sparkling brut and rummy port. There is a restaurant, a museum, a cricket ground, picnic facilities and the cellar door is open from 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. On Sundays and public holidays the hours are 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., tel: (02) 6372 2208.

 

Red Clay Estate
If you ignore the turnoff into Craigmoor Road and continue along Henry Lawson Road for about another kilometre then, to the left, at no.269, you will see Red Clay Estate. This family-owned boutique winery, built of adobe bricks, produces chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, frontignac, pinot noir, rose, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and merlot. There are tranquil gardens, a gallery and barbecues by arrangement. The cellar door is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.from Friday to Monday, tel: (02) 6372 4596.

 

Mudgee Wines
On the other side of the road, at no.280, is Mudgee Wines. Established in 1977, Mudgee Wines grow their grapes without pesticides, herbicides or artificial fertilisers and ferment their wines without additives. They are open Thursday to Monday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., every day in the school holidays and at other times by appointment, tel: (023) 6372 2258.

 

Lawson Hill Estate
Slightly further north along Henry Lawson Drive is the turnoff on the right into Eurunderee Road, along which lies Mansfield Wines (see previous entry). Beyond it is another turnoff on the left into Black Springs Road where you will find Pieter van Gent Winery (see previous entry).

If you ignore Eurunderee Road and continue north along Henry Lawson Drive for about another 2 km you will see Lawson Hill Estate on the right, just past the Henry Lawson Memorial (see entry on Henry Lawson). B & B facilities are available. The cellar door is open Saturday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (closing at 3.00 p.m. on Sundays) and other days by appointment, tel: (02) 6373 3953.

 

Knights Eurunderee Flats Winery
Slightly further along Henry Lawson Drive, on the other side of the road (at no.655), is Knights Eurunderee Flats Winery which produces chardonnay, shiraz, cabernet, merlot, Rhine riesling, sauvignon blanc, semillon, black muscat and white muscat. Knights has won awards for its wines and port, particularly the black muscat. There is a covered pergola, a picnic area and gas barbecues and the cellar door is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. except Saturdays when it closes at 5.00 p.m., tel: (02) 6373 3954.

 

Miramar Wines
About another 1.5 km north along Henry Lawson Drive, to the left, is the award-winning Miramar Wines. Open from 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. daily. Picnic facilities are available, tel: (02) 6373 3874.

 

Burnbrae Vineyard
If you proceed north-west of Mudgee along the Gulgong Road you will come, after 3 km, to a turnoff on the left into the Hargraves/Hill End Rd. About 7 km along, to the right, is Burnbrae Vineyard which produces cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, merlot, chardonnay, semillon, sauvignon blanc and muscat. There are barbecue and picnic facilities and the cellar door is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily but closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays from November to February, tel: (02) 6373 3504.

 

Thistle Hill Vineyard
Just past Burnbrae is a turnoff on the right into McDonalds Road where you will find Thistle Hill Vineyard which grows its grapes organically. There are picnic and barbecue facilities and there is a self-contained three-bedroom cottage available for B & B. The cellar door is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily, tel: (02) 6373 3546.

 

Mountilford Winery
42 km south of Mudgee along the road to Lithgow is the small settlement of Ilford. Mount Vincent Road heads east off the Lithgow-Mudgee Road to Mountilford Winery which is situated at an elevation of 1000 metres. It produces gewurztraminer, sylvaner pinot noir and offers accommodation and fine mountain scenery. The cellar door is open from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. daily, tel: (02) 6358 8544 or contact them at mtilford@lisp.com.au

 

Some Local Enterprises
Mudgee Honey Haven is open daily just to the north-west of town, at the corner of the Gulgong Rd and the Hargraves Hill End Rd. There are numerous honey varieties, jam and mustard to taste or buy, live bees on display, and morning or afternoon tea on offer, tel: (02) 6372 4478.

If you follow the Hargraves Rd west for about 8 km then turn left into Carara Rd you will come to The Fragrant Farm which has a herb nursery, a craft and book shop, a bric-a-brac barn, 1000 dolls on display, a 'friendship farm', a 60-seat restaurant, an attractive garden setting and fine views. It is open from Friday to Monday, from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. as well as school and public holidays but closed in January, tel: (02) 6373 3571.

6 km north-west of Mudgee, along the Gulgong Road, is Menah Orchard which has fresh strawberries, peaches and apples. They are open daily from 8.00 a.m. when the fruit are in season, tel: (02) 6372 1059.

The Junction Inn is a Cobb & Co. staging inn built in 1864, now selling handmade garments, spinning fleeces, dried flowers and cottage garden plants. It is north-west of town, at the corner of the Wellington and Gulgong Rds and is open every day but Tuesday, tel: (02) 6373 2205.

 

Windamere Dam
To get to Windamere Dam, on the Cudgegong River, head south-east along the road to Lithgow for 34 km then turn left. The main drawcard for recreation seekers is the fishing, though sailing and waterskiing are also popular.

Cudgegong Waters Park, located just off the Mudgee Rd at the southern end of the dam, has cabins, campsites, barbecue areas, on-site caravans, a concrete boat ramp and a kiosk selling bait, lures, ice, groceries and petrol.

There are plentiful stocks of golden and silver perch, with lesser numbers of Murray cod and catfish.

 

Frog Rock
Frog Rock is a natural rock formation by the roadside, 19 km north-east of Mudgee on the Cassilis Rd.

 

Munghorn Gap
Clearly signposted 34 km north-east of Mudgee on the Wollar Rd is Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve. There is a plenitude of interesting bird, animal and plant life, a picnic and parking area, and some walking tracks through the sandstone outcrops.

 

Cudgegong Rivers Park
Cudgegong River Park, 39 km west (the last 8-10 km are gravel road), is located on the eastern foreshores of Burrendong Dam. Water sports can be pursued and the fishing is excellent.

 

Goulburn River National Park
The Goulburn River National Park is located to the north-east of town. It covers around 70 000 ha of land adjacent the river which wends its way past sandstone cliffs, caves and gorges that contain some 250 Aboriginal sites, reflecting the fact that the area was situated on a major trading route between the coast and the western plains. The park is also a haven for animal, bird and plant life.

Access is via Ringwood Rd which bisects the park, joining Wollar to the Merriwa-Cassilis Rd. There are no camping facilities but plenty of opportunities for bush camping. A sign along the route points you to White Box Camp which is available for vehicle-based camping. Spring Gully is a campsite by the river, although it lies along what is really a 4WD track, suitable only in dry weather. This track departs from the road that runs between Wollar and Ulan.

Also along Ringwood Rd is a sign indicating a gem fossicking area to the left, which is one possibility that the park offers. Bushwalking is another obvious attraction. A number of creeks can be followed westwards from Ringwood Road down to the river. The most easily accessible trail is that to Lees Pinch Lookout. A signpost indicates the starting point of the walk. It is but a short distance to some spectacular elevated views from the escarpment to the eastern section of the park. Swimming, canoeing, liloing, photography and wildlife observation can also be pursued.

Topographic maps and further information are available by ringing (02) 6543 3533.

 

Tours
There are a number of tour operators in the District ranging from horse drawn carriages to tours of the wineries. Contact the Mudgee Visitor Information Centre for more details.

 

 

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Mudgee