Nestled in the rolling hills near Mudgee, where green paddocks stretch endlessly beneath a wide-open sky, Gooree Park shaped not just my childhood, but the path my life would follow.
As a young girl, I rode horses, mustered cattle, and scribbled poems by the river, learning to uncover the stories hidden in the land, lessons that sparked a lifelong love of storytelling and guided me into a career as a journalist.
The original homestead at Gooree Park Mudgee, was built by the pioneering Sarah Lowe, who, in the 1830s, courageously led 13 children across the Blue Mountains. At the time, I couldn’t have known that her strength and determination would inspire me to spend my life writing about trailblazing women.
Today, Gooree Park invites guests to experience this remarkable history and tranquil landscape for themselves.
A Homestay Full of Memories
Our stay at Gooree Park was particularly special as I brought my husband Jo and our two sons, Michael and James, for the first time. The long-time owners, the Cojuangco family, and their dedicated team have always welcomed us back, letting me revisit the place where so many cherished memories were made.
The estate remains a working farm, complete with thoroughbred horses, Wagyu cattle, and a vineyard with a fabulous Cellar Door. Since our visit, we’ve been enjoying a monthly delivery of Gooree wines – a wonderful reminder of our trip.
Racetrack House: Comfort Meets Country Charm
We stayed in Racetrack House, a warm and inviting homestead with a racing theme, three spacious bedrooms, and open-plan kitchen, dining, and lounge areas. Afternoons were spent on the verandah, followed by long strolls by the Cudgegong River, where willow trees dip gracefully into the water. For larger groups, the Stables House next door provides even more room for family and friends.
Gooree Park Racing History: A Legacy of Two Visionaries
Gooree Park’s history is steeped in family and vision. Originally developed by my late father, Lloyd Foyster, it became home to Australia’s prize racehorses, including Caulfield Cup winners Ming Dynasty, and Mighty Kingdom as well as Doncaster Handicap winner Just Ideal. In 1979, the estate was sold to the late Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. and his wife Gretchen, whose stewardship further expanded it as a world-class thoroughbred breeding and training facility, producing even more champions including the great Desert War, Northern Meteor, Crowned Glory, and King’s Gambit.
Legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse once told me that training horses from Gooree launched her career, a testament to the estate’s enduring influence in the racing world. From 2000 to 2019, Gai Waterhouse and Gooree turned just 15 yearlings a year into a dynasty of 78 Stakes wins, 14 at Group 1 level.
Under the Cojuangcos’ guidance, Gooree also grew to include the largest vineyard in Mudgee, Wagyu cattle of exceptional quality, and more recently luxurious farm stays, blending history, innovation, and hospitality in one unforgettable place.
Exploring Mudgee: Wine, Heritage, and Charm
During our visit, we explored Mudgee, including another property built by my father, Parklands, formerly Country Paradise, which back then was part of our farm Putta Bucca, now a suburb of Mudgee. Here, the palm trees he planted in the late 1980s now soar high, alongside Gooree, forming a proud part of his legacy. I still remember rock legend Jimmy Barnes performing at the hotel complex, telling my dad backstage:
“Before this place opened, there was nowhere big enough to perform here. I’ve always wanted to play to a crowd in Mudgee, and now I finally have.”
Mudgee’s charm extends beyond its wine. With wide leafy streets, heritage sandstone buildings, and more cellar doors than you could safely visit in a weekend, the town radiates calm, character, and warmth. Meals are savoured, conversations linger, and suddenly, your shoulders drop, and your mind slows.
Whether wandering Saturday markets, sampling biodynamic wine at boutique cellar doors, exploring the Mudgee Museum, or enjoying contemporary art in Kandos and Rylstone, every moment feels curated with care. Here, there is no rush, and that is precisely the point.
Travel as Reconnection
Returning to Gooree reminded me that travel isn’t just about discovering new places, it’s about reconnecting with the landscapes and stories that shaped us. This extraordinary homestay offers visitors a chance to step into the heart of the Mudgee region: the wide skies, the stillness of the land, and the warmth of its people.
Whether sipping award-winning wines, wandering paddocks alive with thoroughbreds, or pausing to breathe in the quiet, Gooree Park offers reconnection with nature, and for me a very meaningful homecoming.
Gooree Homestay Highlights
- Stay on a 5,000-acre working farm with horses, cattle, and vineyards
- Visit the award-winning Gooree Cellar Door and sample premium wines
- Explore Mudgee’s heritage sandstone buildings, farmers’ markets, and art trails
- Enjoy the serenity of rural NSW with luxury touches and true country hospitality
Website: Gooree Park
More about Gooree Park: The Carousel
Fun Fact About Mudgee & Its History
- Meaning of Mudgee: From the Wiradjuri word Moothi, meaning “nest in the hills.”
- Early Settlement: First European crossed the Cudgegong River in 1821 (James Blackman). Sarah Lowe was a pioneer who first settled on Gooree, a land grant from William Charles Wentworth, in the 1930s. She established a school for convicts at Gooree.
- Gold Rush Era: Nearby Hargraves gold rush in 1851 boosted the town’s population and economy.
- Cultural Heritage: Home to historic buildings and the Mudgee Museum.
- Famous Residents: Australian poet Henry Lawson attended local schools.
- Agriculture & Vineyards: Sheep grazing and viticulture became the economic backbone after gold declined.
- Railway Development: 1884 railway extension from Rylstone integrated Mudgee into regional trade.