Bathurst Region Destination Planner
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2020 DESTINATION PLANNER BATHURSTREGION.COM.AU Bathurst is a city of contrasts in one of the most fascinating and diverse regions of NSW. Heritage listed buildings and world class museums and galleries are only a part of the rich history on offer, whilst spectacular natural wonders co-exist with a modern cultural landscape and the lively villages that surround the city. KING’S PARADE If there is one thing you can expect from lap of the circuit and visiting the National Bathurst it’s the unexpected. A city of Motor Racing Museum. BATHURST COURTHOUSE surprises, a historical town brought Mixing the new and exciting with its right up to the moment by the people heritage is what Bathurst is all about – who live and work here. Bathurst is a there truly is something for everyone here. city of contrasts, from the heritage listed buildings to quirky bars and restaurants, modern accommodation and a host of arts, Bathurst Visitor Information Centre crafts and music events in the surrounding The Bathurst Visitor Information Centre areas guaranteed to delight. One moment (known affectionately as BVIC to the locals) you can be exploring the heritage Town is the proud heart of the Bathurst region. Square guided by local Grant Denyer on Call in and visit the friendly team. We love the Bathurst Step Beyond App, the next what we do and no one knows the best of sitting in a cosy cafe sipping a latte or in a the region like us. Begin your adventures new restaurant trying an innovative dish. and chat with a local expert at the Bathurst Or walking through the impressive T.Arts Visitor Information Centre. Gallery and admiring all that’s new in the local and regional art world. Or admiring 1 Kendall Avenue, Bathurst NSW 2795 the spectacular view from atop iconic 1800 68 1000 Mount Panorama, before taking your own [email protected] 2 DISCOVER BATHURST REGION / BATHURSTREGION.COM.AU BATHURST CYCLING CLASSIC Contents Dubbo Discover Bathurst Region 2 Mudgee Getting Here 3 Towns & Villages 4 Newcastle What’s On 6 Bathurst Village Events 8 Orange Lithgow Bathurst Villages 9 Oberon Seasons 10 Cowra Sydney Mount Panorama 12 Beyond Mount Panorama 13 Taste Bathurst 14 Wollongong Toast Bathurst 16 Goulburn Arts & Culture 18 Getting Here Get Outdoors 20 Located 207km west Explore the Underworld 22 Canberra of Sydney and 260km from Canberra, Bathurst is also Discover Heritage 24 within easy travelling distance of Bathurst Instagram Trail 26 many NSW destinations. There’s also a variety of transport Bathurst Step Beyond App 28 methods to get you here. Your Event, Your Way 29 Go Shopping 30 Attractions & Tours 32 36 Driving Times & Distances Suggested Itineraries Museums 38 Sydney to Bathurst 2.50hr 207km Wollongong to Bathurst 3.25hr 263km Stay in Bathurst 40 Canberra to Bathurst 3.25hr 280km Orange to Bathurst 45min 56km (via Oberon and Goulburn) Pet-Friendly Bathurst 44 Cowra to Bathurst 1.15hr 107km Canberra to Bathurst 3.30hr 298km The Cirencester Friendship 45 Lithgow to Bathurst 45min 62km (via Cowra and Yass) Live, Work & Study 46 Oberon to Bathurst 41min 47km Dubbo to Bathurst 2.30hr 206km Regional Map 48 Mudgee to Bathurst 1.35hr 130km Newcastle to Bathurst 4hr 323km City Map 49 (via Sydney) Business Directory 50 Hill End Sofala Wattle Flat Peel Sunny PAINTED HORSE CAFE SOFALA Bathurst Corner Yetholme Perthville Tarana Towns & O’Connell Villages Rockley As you explore Bathurst & surrounding Villages, you’ll discover why so many Trunkey artists have been captivated by the Creek landscape of the Central Tablelands. » Bathurst historic charm and landscapes in the 60s » Wattle Flat and 70s and an Artist In Residence program With settlement spanning back to before When travelling north towards Sofala or run by Bathurst Regional Art Gallery keeps the Gold Rush era and a rich Aboriginal Hill End, the beautiful country village of the artistic energy alive and well in the history before that, you may be surprised Wattle Flat is a perfect place to plan a stop. town today. to find that Bathurst is as culturally The impressive stone buildings stand as fascinating now as it ever was. Bathurst a memory of when up to 40,000 called the » Sofala is also of course a university town, town home at the height of the gold rush. One of the most captivating and unusual with Charles Sturt Uni helping to keep gold mining towns in New South Wales, this historic city relevant and moving » Peel Sofala, a 40-minute drive north of Bathurst, forward with edgy optimism and youthful Don’t rush the scenic drive from Bathurst is a two-street village with an authentic exuberance. to the gold towns of Sofala and Hill End, old-world charm and captured perfectly by as every village has its own story to tell. famous Australian artist, Russell Drysdale, » Hill End The countryside around Peel was once in his iconic 1947 award-winning painting of Once a booming gold town, Hill End today fiercely contested between warriors of the the same name. While the gold rush may is a blend of heritage buildings and mine Wiradjuri people and European settlers, be long over, gold panning still takes place relics. The town is also known for being an with the grave of the great Wiradjuri leader in the Turon River today as part of artistic hub - Brett Whiteley, John Olsen, Windradyne on the Brucedale property guided tours. Donald Friend and Russell Drysdale all at Peel. found themselves inspired by the village’s 4 TOWNS & VILLAGES / BATHURSTREGION.COM.AU ROYAL HOTEL SOFALA » Sunny Corner » Perthville earliest pastoral areas in the Bathurst region with some sections being surveyed Take the road less travelled between This charming little town 20-minutes south and settled as early as the 1820s. Bathurst and Lithgow or Mudgee and you of Bathurst makes a nice stop on your may pass through the quiet retreat of Sunny way to Vale Creek Wines, or a family day The discovery of large quartz reefs in the Corner, a town which has attracted artists, trip to experience life as a local farmer at late 1860s led to a gold rush in and around potters and craftspeople in recent years, Barcoos. The village is also home to the town, but it was wool that has provided and was once the site of the largest silver St Joseph’s Convent and the local tradition a more enduring source of prosperity with mine in Australia prior to Broken Hill. of the Josephite sisters that dates back some of Australia’s finest quality merino to 1872. wool still produced here. Drop into the Yetholme » Black Stump Hotel or original 1879 general Rockley Less than half an hour east of Bathurst, » store before striking out to explore the set just off the Great Western Highway, This immaculately preserved 19th-century many nearby natural attractions. is the old village of Yetholme. At 1,180 country town, 30-minute drive south of metres above sea level, Yetholme is one Bathurst, is one of the oldest settlements » Tarana of the highest points in the region with west of the Blue Mountains. Declared as Nestled in the picturesque valleys of the snow often transforming the village into an a National Trust Historic Village, Rockley Central West, a 40-minute drive east of Instagrammer’s dream during the winter is home to over two dozen Insta-worthy Bathurst, Tarana is a treat for outdoor months. heritage buildings and beautiful parklands. adventurers who love hiking, rock climbing and nature. Explore amongst the granite O’Connell You can drop into local Bathurst artist Tim » tors of Evans Crown, before treating Miller’s beloved studio for an art class, O’Connell makes a lovely day trip for yourself at the famous 1873 Tarana Hotel. enjoy a scrumptious high tea and end the foodies and history buffs alike. Located an day with a fine Italian wine en route back easy 20 minute drive from Bathurst’s town to Bathurst. centre, you’ll know you’ve reached this charming town when you drive under the » Trunkey Creek leafy canopy of Desert Ash trees, planted to A scenic 40 minute drive south-west of commemorate locals who fought and lost Bathurst rests the small picturesque their lives in World War I. village of Trunkey Creek in one of the GENERAL STORE HILL END What’s On At any given time of the year, Bathurst’s events AUTUMN calendar is packed full of activities. From festivals and concerts to fun runs and wine wanders through to signature events like Inland Bathurst’s thriving arts and cultural scene paints a unique picture of the town, celebrating its rich Sea of Sound, Heritage Trades Trail, and the heritage with a modern twist as the leaves turn to high-octane races at Mount Panorama there’s rich golden hues and the weather cools. so much going on in and around Bathurst. » Gold Crown Carnival 18 - 28 MARCH 2020 One of the great celebrations of harness racing, bringing together five high profile title races with gala evening dinners, events celebrating the sport, its competitors and fans as well as historical tours and so much more. Experience the tradition, pageantry and exhilaration of Gold Crown Carnival week. goldcrowncarnival.com.au » Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail SUMMER 28 - 29 MARCH 2020 Step back in time and learn about some of the lost trades and crafts that literally built Bathurst at the Bathurst Heritage Trades While most are winding down and taking a break, Trail. Meet some of the region’s most talented artisans and watch the Bathurst region celebrates the long summer days on as they demo some of the rare trades from yesteryear such as with a host of activity.