The Drip is not just the best short walk near Mudgee, but we think it’s one of the best short walks in NSW (which is a pretty big statement)! It’s perfect for anyone looking for a leisurely stroll and is beautiful from the very first step to the last. When you need a break from the endless wine tastings in Mudgee, there is no better place to come!
It’s also a great place to cool off on a hot day with shallow water rock holes that are fab for children and adults alike.
Here’s what to expect on The Drip Gorge walk, one of our favourite things to do in Mudgee.
The Drip Gorge Walk
The stats
Distance: 1.45km (each way)
Elevation: 20m
Difficulty: Easy
The Drip is a very easy and leisurely walk along the river. The trail is in good condition for the majority of the time, but it has some patches which have been washed away by floods. No doubt at some point they will be fixed up.
It only took us 20 minutes to walk in each direction, and that was partly because we saw wildlife we stopped to see on the way!
Starting the walk
The Drip walk is one of those trails that really surprised us and it’s truly beautiful from the very beginning.
Often you find yourself walking along a track to get to the view or point of interest at the end - much like the nearby Castle Rocks walk - but that’s definitely not the case with The Drip. The walk is every bit as special as the dripping wall at the end, for which the trail is named.
The path takes you through some spectacular bushland, with lush ferns that were almost luminous green after recent rain.
We walked the trail in the late afternoon and all you could hear were the sounds of nature; the birds and the insects and the trickling water in the Goulburn River which you follow all the way to the end of the track.
We were even lucky enough to see a lyrebird which then flew into, and climbed up a nearby tree! We often see lyrebirds on our walks, but we rarely see them fly and have never seen one climb up a tree like this one did!
If you’re really lucky you might also see wallabies, but that wasn’t the case for us, in fact, we saw a lot less wildlife in our visit to Mudgee this time round. When we asked a local about it, she said that they had sadly lost a lot of wildlife in the terrible bushfires of early 2020. Heartbreaking.
Reaching the gorge walls
As you follow the path towards The Drip, you have the river on one side and the tall gorge walls on the other. It gives an air of seclusion and feels much wilder and more remote than it truly is.
I think that’s what surprised me the most, that such a short, easy walk had such a feeling of getting away from it all.
Although the path is generally smooth and flat there are a couple of stairs here and there, and one point where you have to cross over the river where the bridge has washed away.
There are stepping stones, and for us the water level was low, so it wasn’t a problem, although we’ve heard after very heavy rain it can submerge the stones.
After roughly 1.25km you will come to a junction, continuing straight on for 25m, will take you to a fabulous lookout over the gorge.
Once you’ve enjoyed the view you can then carry on along the main trail for 300m more, into the gorge itself.
Again, part of this trail has been washed out, but it’s not too difficult to navigate if you don’t mind a bit of uneven terrain. Follow the trail down into the gorge you’ll find a series of rock pools and a faster flowing section of river.
This is where we decided to go for a dip, the water is nowhere near deep enough for a swim, but it is perfect for cooling off.
Other parts of the river along the trail were deeper but the water wasn’t flowing so quickly and it looked a little brown, so personally I preferred the fresh flowing water of The Drip.
Essential information about The Drip
Best time to visit
The best time to visit The Drip is after a bit of rain fall when you will get the full effects of the water dripping down the gorge walls, and the forest will be green and lively. If you’re visiting on a weekend we’d also recommend coming early or later in the day when the walk will be quieter.
Other attractions nearby
Just a few minutes drive from the The Drip car park you’ll find an Aboriginal rock art site, known as Hands on Rock, which is culturally significant to the Wiradjuri people. It’s traditionally a place only for women and children.
It is just a 600m walk from the car park to the cave where the art is located, most of the walk is flat before it gets a bit rocky and uneven as you climb up towards the cave.
There are over 100 hand stencils (of both women and children), as well as some emu tracks. Most are sadly a bit faded, but some are still well preserved and there is a bench you can sit on to take it all in. It’s well worth a visit, and one of my favourite spots in Mudgee.
One thing to note is that at time of writing the last couple of hundred metres along dirt road to the car park is not in good condition. There are some huge potholes and ruts.
Getting there
The Drip is located in the Goulburn River National Park, roughly 50km and a 40 minute drive from Mudgee.
Packing suggestions for The Drip
Having the right gear can make a huge difference. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Bushman Spray: Good for keeping off the mozzies, but also handy if there’s leeches after the rain. Check it out on Amazon.
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon
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