The Mid-Western Region is a dynamic and friendly area with a strong and diverse economic base, providing opportunities for future business development and growth.

The district is home to approximately 24,079 people with most of the population residing in the regional centre of Mudgee and the outlying townships of Gulgong, Kandos and Rylstone.

With a population of 10,920, Mudgee has some beautiful historic buildings, a vibrant café culture, market days and a thriving arts community. The surrounding area is home to a vast array of wineries nestled in the picturesque countryside.

Nearby Gulgong is known as the ‘Ten Dollar Town’ as it featured on the original $10 banknote, along with iconic Australian son Henry Lawson. With a population of 2521, it is a town steeped in history and walking its main street is like stepping back in time. Historically, it is renowned for its goldmining traditions.

The Rylstone area dates from the 1820s and was originally called Dabee. It is home to 644 people and features many fine buildings constructed from the local sandstone. It is fast becoming known for its wineries, olive estates and gourmet foods. The town is also a gateway to the World Heritage-listed Wollemi National Park to the east and the scenic Capertee Valley to the south.
Kandos is located at the northern entrance to the Capertee Valley and on the western edge of the Blue Mountains. The town was established in 1913, when the New South Wales Cement Lime and Coal Company was set up to take advantage of local supplies of limestone, and currently has a population of 1261.

The Mid-Western Region covers more than 9000 square km and stretches from the Wollemi National Park in the east to Lake Burrendong in the west and from the Goulburn National Park in the north to the Macquarie and Turon Rivers in the south.

Mudgee and its surrounding area is a very accessible destination. To the east, Sydney is 265 km away by car with bus and flight services also available.

Dubbo is 127km west of Mudgee with a bus service currently being trialled between the two locations.

 Climate: Winter 2 – 15 degrees, summer 15 – 30

 Lifestyle

The Mid-Western region offers a vibrant lifestyle and prosperous economy with real country community spirit.

As a growth area, Mid-Western is popular with tourists and investors and offers lifestyle opportunities. It has a cosmopolitan vibe with the benefits of a friendly country community, making it the perfect location for tree changers tired of traffic jams and long commutes.

The Mudgee area offers a range of sporting clubs and activities including golf, yoga, boating, fishing, horse racing, triathlons, art groups, car clubs, cultural festivals, concerts, winery tours and market days.

There are 10 local sporting grounds and two regional sporting grounds accommodating the majority of sports within the Mid-Western Regional Council area.

The Glen Willow Regional Sporting Complex, located in Pitts Lane, Mudgee is the region’s premier sporting facility for a variety of sports and events.

Mid-Western Regional Council has three pool facilities in Mudge, Gulgong and Kandos. There is also a range of gyms, fitness centres and classes including football, yoga, boxing, boot camp, karate, pilates, personal training, circuit, spin and Zumba.

Some of the local favourite places to eat are in the CBD, there are also some fabulous places to dine not far from town with restaurants and cafes featuring at many of the wineries.

There is an array of shopping in the Mudgee region with a great selection of boutiques, chain stores and supermarkets.

Gulgong, Rylstone and Kandos also offer a unique retail experience with an eclectic collection of shops.

Housing

The residential housing market has experienced growth in recent years and there is adequately zoned vacant land available around the region for residential, business and investment purposes.

Prices vary depending on the exact size, location and site specifications.

The median house price in Mudgee is $392,000, Gulgong $290,000, Kandos $262,000, Rylstone $468,000 (some with acreage).

Employment

Its accessibility and proximity to other major regional centres makes the Mid-Western region a business-friendly environment. A key feature of the area is its diversity, with the major industries of agriculture, viticulture, tourism and mining and the emerging renewable sector. Hospitality and retail are also strong employment areas.

The current labour force provides access to a wide range of skills and education levels and continued growth will see an increase in demand for new skills and qualifications.

The outlying towns of Gulgong, Kandos and Rylstone support Mudgee as the core centre of employment.

Education

There are a number of private and community-based organisations providing early childhood care and education. There is Mudgee Preschool, Imaginations Early Learning Centre, Squeakers on Douro, Squeakers Long Day Care Centre, Puggles Child Care Centre, Gulgong Preschool, Happy Days Gulgong and Rylstone Kandos Preschool.

There are 16 primary schools in the region catering for children from Kindergarten to Year 6 – Mudgee Public School, Cudgegong Valley Public School Mudgee, St Matthew’s Catholic School Mudgee, Gulgong Public School, All Hallows Primary School Gulgong, Rylstone Public School, Kandos Public School, Lue Public School, Goolma Public School, Ilford Public School, Ulan Public School, Bylong Upper Public School, Hargraves Public School, Hill End Public School, Windeyer Public School and Wollar Public School.

There are public high schools in Mudgee, Gulgong and Kandos as well as access to further education through Mudgee TAFE, Australian Rural Education Centre and Red Hill Environmental Education Centre.

Services

Access to health services is readily available with doctors and visiting specialists based at medical centres in each of the towns, as well as a major hospital in Mudgee which includes a maternity ward. There are also hospital facilities in the smaller towns.

The region has a number of government agencies and departments along with the major banks and credit unions, solicitors, accounting firms and real estate agents.

Events

The Mudgee region attracts almost 528,000 visitors each year to experience upwards of 50 wine, food, sporting and cultural events and festivals. Annual events include the Rylstone-Kandos Show in February, Food and Drink Trail, Country Championships and Mudgee Show in March, Mudgee Makers Markets in April, Henry Lawson Heritage Festival in June, Small Farm Field Days in July, the Readers’ Festival in August, Wine and Food Festival in September, Gulgong Gold and Mining Festival in October and Huntington Estate Music Festival in November.

Attractions

As well as it’s colonial history, architectural facades and quaint streetscapes, Mudgee and surrounds offer a beauty and ambience that is relished by visitors.

From boutique shopping to a vibrant café culture, there is oodles to sample in the Mid-Western Region.

There are more than 40 cellar doors featuring local wines, a thriving art community and excellent galleries and museums, indigenous cultural experiences, national parks and nature reserves, community and farmers markets featuring food products and arts and crafts, horse racing, trail rides, hot air ballooning, miniature railway, fishing, canoeing and kayaking and farm visits.

For a full list of local events and attractions please visit: www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au