Occupied by the Wiradjuri people prior to white settlement Mudgee, the second oldest town west of the Blue Mountains was pegged out by Robert Hoddle, the town planner who eventually went on to design Melbourne some years later.
Mudgee and surrounds are steeped in history of earlier exploration and settlement events of the Central Ranges wine region that are well documented in the local museums, and still in evidence throughout the district.
Both Mudgee and Gulgong have many fine historic buildings that are highlighted in the "town walks" brochure available from the Mudgee Tourist Centre.
The Mudgee Historical Society acquired the old West End Hotel in 1966 and after restoration, opened the building as a museum: the Colonial Inn Museum.
The Museum also has a large collection of old photographs depicting the historic life and times of Mudgee and district.