Make the most of your stay

Explore

Ruwenzori sits high on the Great Dividing Range with some of the most magnificent views of the region that you will ever get.

Once you’ve soaked those up, there are lots of things to do on and around your private paradise.

Things to do at Ruwenzori

✦Relax - whether it be indoors or out, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a nice place to unwind. Libraries, TVs and DVD players with an extensive video library, Apple TV facilities, board games galore and of course stunning outdoor dining options.
✦Play games - head down to the Station Building and play a bit of pool, win at table tennis, indulge in a board game or two, listen to a range of music or even put on your own variety show, it’s been done before!
✦Go for a walk - there are more than five kilometres of formed trails to magical places like the ‘Top of the World’, ‘The Picnic Ground’, ‘The Tempest’ and ‘Poss’ Plunge’. Spot the native critters and enjoy the unique Sculpture Walk. View the walking track map →
✦Railway Memorabilia - the industrial history of the Railways is on show wherever you turn here at Ruwenzori, starting with the collection in the Station Building, the sculpture walk, the railway ‘Junk Yard’, and the decorations in the gardens and carriages - we share thousands of items from our railway past.

The Mudgee region is a major destination for wine, food, history, and exploring our magnificent natural treasures, and encompasses the towns of Gulgong, Rylstone and Kandos along with national parks, great water sports options, and wonderfully preserved landmarks celebrating our indigenous history.

Nearby Towns

Within 30 mins of Ruwenzori

Mudgee

Mudgee is on Wiradjuri land and was first settled by Colonial settlers in 1822 when George and Henry Cox drove 500 livestock and established Menah, Mudgee’s oldest grazing property.

LEARN MORE

Gulgong

A 19th-century gold rush town, the name “Gulgong” is derived from the word used by the traditional inhabitants, the Wiradjuri, for “deep waterhole”.

LEARN MORE

But if you’re a more ‘outdoorsy type’

In addition to your private 20ha of nature at Ruwenzori, there are many other great outdoor activities you can enjoy - so far from the city that we have some of the darkest, most magnificent night skies of anywhere.

We particularly love:

✦The Drip - The Drip walking track, in Goulburn River State Conservation Area, meanders beside Goulburn River to The Drip, or ‘the Great Dripping Wall’. Rain water trickling through the porous rock wall makes it a cool oasis.
✦Hands on Rock - A great walk up to a cave of indigenous stencil art a short drive from The Drip. The reserve is culturally significant to the Wiradjuri people, and was traditionally a place for only women and children. The rock art consists of over 100 hand stencils of women.
✦The Mudgee Miniature Railway - On the main road between Ruwenzori Retreat and Mudgee, the three and a half, and five inch gauge miniature railway gives rides behind steam, petrol and electric powered miniature trains. The railway is a non-profit co-operative and operates on the second Sunday of every month (weather dependent). Opening times and directions.
✦The Mudgee Observatory - Located just outside of Mudgee, the Observatory is the work of John Vetter, an astronomer with 45 years experience. The theatre and flat screen planetarium means the night skies can be viewed as they were meant to be viewed. Bookings are essential and the experience is weather dependent.

A Little Further

Within 1 hour of Ruwenzori

Rylstone

Step back in time in Rylstone. Laid out in 1846, it was already a thriving town by 1854, and its 19th-century streetscape has barely changed since.

LEARN MORE →

Kandos

About 7 km from Rylstone, Kandos grew up around the cement works that supplied the Sydney Harbour Bridge - “the town that built Sydney” - and is now a creative village.

LEARN MORE →

Attractions slightly further afield

Hill End - Another fascinating gold mining village that has been beautifully kept as a celebration of its history. Now a famous artists’ colony - if you like Australian history, the History Hill museum is definitely worth a look.

Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo - Just under 2 hours’ drive from Ruwenzori. A completely immersive experience and not a cage in sight - the Western Plains Zoo has tried to replicate natural habitats as closely as possible, enabling you to drive, cycle or walk in nature to commune with a large variety of animals.

The Wellington Caves - A group of limestone caves dated at around 400 million years, located 8 kilometres south of the little town of Wellington on the Castlereagh River. Well worth a visit if you’re into geology, history or the wonders of nature.

Gallery

The region, at a glance

Your Dedicated Host

“

Welcome to Ruwenzori - your very own train to nowhere. This extraordinary enterprise has been my life’s work, and I can’t wait to share it with you all.

Scott McGregor

Founder & Host