Bago Maze & Winery

Heading up north with the whole family? Looking for somewhere to head to that can keep every member entertained for the day? Well, look no further than Bago Maze & Winery based just inland of Port Macquarie in the town of Wauchope.

Why is it so good for the whole family? Well, the answer is in the name; Maze (for the kids) and Winery (for the BIG kids).

The family-owned and operated property is the handiwork of the Mobbs Family. With husband and wife team, Kay & James, and their three children; Ian, Kelly, and Steven. With the couple landing on Bago in the 70s and planting their first vines in 1985, the property has seen a lot of hard work, love of the land, and help from the supportive local community to get it where it is today.

Nestled amongst towering eucalyptus trees in a picturesque valley, and surrounded by acres of vines, Bago Maze & Winery is well hidden off the beaten track but well worth the effort. Pull up the car and head into the quiet and unassuming cellar door where you’ll be greeted by the friendly staff and if you’re lucky, the creator of the maze himself and eldest Mobbs son; Ian.

Studying Landscape Architecture, Ian has spent the last 15 years growing Bago into his dream garden, for which we now can all enjoy!

“Ian is the mastermind behind Bago Maze, the seasonal field mazes, and the growing garden extensions around Bago.”

Let the kids run free to wander, explore, and get lost in the 2000m of Bago Maze’s walkways, tall hedges, sunken pathways, bridges, musical instruments, lookout towers, and even hidden characters during the school holidays!

Now, the website states it should take around 20minutes to an hour to explore and find the exit, but a little advice from me; it was hard! That may be because I’m navigationally challenged, but still – expect to spend some time in there!

“It’s one of the world’s largest hedge mazes with over 2000m of pathways and hedges, making it the perfect place for the entire family to explore.”

Whilst the kids are having the time of their life exploring all the nooks and crannies of the maze, set yourself up on the hill with a picnic blanket or land yourself on one of the outdoor tables and order a wine tasting from the cellar door.

Perched up on the hill, the cellar door, pergola, and outdoor seating overlook the maze and vineyards making it not only the perfect spot to sit and take in the scenery but also keep an eye on the kids as they get lost in the maze.

Sit back and sample the properties’ wine and indulge in one of their locally sourced produce cheese or charcuterie boards. Producing a range of sparkling, varietal, and fortified wines, there’s plenty of choice for all the wine drinkers.

Our picks? The Savagnin (pronounced Sah-vun-yah) for the white wine drinkers; not to be confused with a Sauvignon Blanc, with flavours of grapefruit and apple and perfect enjoyed with oysters, shellfish and creamy cheese dishes. For the red lovers, the Rosella Red is a Sangria style red wine with a hint of spice, soft tannins, and sweet stone fruits. For those eager to try something a little different, try the Midnight Blueberry Wine; made from 100% blueberries!

Inside the cellar door, you’ll also be able to browse a range of take-home jarred goods produced right here on the property including Tomato Soup, Blueberry Jam, Soms Pickles, and more! Just across the foyer, you’ll find a small entrance into the Russian inspired Baba Lila chocolate shop. Filled to the brim with handmade chocolates, some with native Australian flavours including Wattleseed, Lemon Myrtle, and Tasmanian Pepper Berry just to name a few.

So, next time you’re heading up the coast or planning a stay in Port Macquarie, make sure to pop Bago Maze & Winery on the to-visit list and spend a day exploring the grounds and making the most of the wine!