Holiday houses in Dunedoo

Many visitors stop in this tiny town in the central west of New South Wales for bragging rights — who doesn’t want to do Dunedoo? — and then find themselves lingering for the historic pubs and charming locals, who have a penchant for poetry and the arts (annual festivals here celebrate both). Set on the banks of the Talbragar River, the town’s sub-800 population resides close to the main (and only) strip of shops. Its highway leads to a grain silo painted with an enormous mural of a retired champion thoroughbred racehorse and her rider. This fertile part of the state is the gateway to all manner of inland towns, from Dubbo to Mudgee, as well as vast areas of national parkland where hiking and biking are the order of the day.

An inland town, Dunedoo’s temperature can soar in the peak of summer. Given that many of the regional attractions require you to be in the great outdoors for much of the day, consider visiting during the cooler months; if you’re here hiking or biking in spring, you’ll find the national parklands flushed with the colour of wildflowers. This time of year also kicks off a host of regional events, including the Food and Drink Trail (March), the Mudgee Readers’ Festival (August), and Mudgee Wine and Food Month (September). Back in Dunedoo, the Dunedoo Bush Poetry Festival show takes over the small town every March, while the Art Unlimited fete showcases regional talent in May.

Warrumbungle National Park

Head north from Dunedoo to discover the natural drama of this national park, an ancient volcanic landscape of jagged sandstone peaks and pinnacles swathed in dense forest. Depending on your stamina, hikes range from a few hours (try the Belougery Split Rock walking track) to full day (Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk), both offering panoramic views over this Jurassic scenery.

Mudgee Wine Region

More than 40 wineries create a patchwork of colour over the Mudgee countryside, 80 kilometres (50 miles) south of Dunedoo. Visit this bucolic swath of New South Wales to sip wines in cellar doors, visit providores, eat in fine-dining restaurants or casual cafes, and attend food-themed festivals.

Coolah Tops National Park

Wallabies, eastern grey kangaroos, eagles, and wombats are all residents of this wildlife preserve, which also nurtures an enormous nocturnal population of greater gliders, ring-tailed possums, and owls — bring your torch to spot them on evening walks. You’ll wander through a humbling landscape of giant grass trees, eucalypts, and snow gums, with tracks leading to some postcard-perfect waterfalls — take the Falls link track.