Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Bathurst, Australia

A lively university town, Bathurst is situated high in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, characterized by a cool and temperate climate.

This location is recognized as Australia’s oldest inland settlement, with roots tracing back to 1814. Its growth during the 19th century was significantly influenced by a Gold Rush in the 1860s.

The streets of Bathurst’s Central Business District feature elegant architecture funded by this economic boom, and the historic central park retains its Victorian design.

For motorsport enthusiasts, Bathurst is synonymous with Mount Panorama, an exceptionally hilly street circuit known for hosting the esteemed Bathurst 1000 each October.

1. Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum

Located in the heart of Bathurst, within beautifully maintained former school buildings from the 1870s, this natural history museum holds substantial significance.

It features the internationally recognized Somerville Collection, comprising some of the rarest and most scientifically pertinent minerals globally.

The collection is so extensive that only a quarter can be exhibited at any time.

In addition to rubies, emeralds, diamonds, and sapphires, it contains some of the oldest fossils reflecting early life, three dinosaur skeletons, dinosaur eggs, a gecko encapsulated in amber for up to 30 million years, and a sabre-tooth cat skull.

The museum’s crowning glory is the complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton, standing at four meters high and measuring 10.5 meters in length.

2. Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit

In Australia, the name “Bathurst” is closely associated with motorsport, primarily due to the historic Mount Panorama Circuit, which held its inaugural race, the Australian Grand Prix, in 1938. Prior to that, a number of informal circuits had operated in the area since the 1900s.

Challenging and uncompromising, Mount Panorama is a street circuit featuring a height differential of 174 meters and is often likened to Germany’s Nürburgring.

The fastest segment is the downhill, 1.9-kilometer Conrod Straight, where supercars achieve speeds of up to 300 km/h.

The circuit is particularly recognized for its endurance events, with the calendar highlighted by the Bathurst 1000 for supercars in October and the Bathurst 12 Hour for GT and production cars in February.

3. National Motor Racing Museum

At Mount Panorama, Murray’s Corner represents the last bend before the pit straight and serves as a notable overtaking opportunity.

This iconic location is also home to Australia’s National Motor Racing Museum.

Visitors can explore the rich history of Australian motorsport, spanning from the 1920s to the present.

Displays prominently feature Mount Panorama and the Bathurst 1000, showcasing race-winning Fords and Holdens, race leathers, helmets, and profiles of significant races and drivers.

The collection includes around 100 cars and motorcycles covering various racing disciplines, from open-wheelers to speedway racing, drag racing, touring cars, and more.

4. Abercrombie House

The influential Stewart family, pivotal to Australia’s colonization, constructed this impressive Tudor Revival mansion west of Bathurst in the 1870s.

Comprising rusticated granite with sandstone embellishments, Abercrombie House is distinguished by its curving gables topped with iron finials.

Since the 1960s, the property has been owned by the Morgan family, who provide guided and self-guided tours of the estate.

The residence includes 50 rooms, many featuring original fixtures, filled with a diverse array of decorations and period furnishings sourced from the UK, as well as from China and Thailand.

A comprehensive schedule of events is offered throughout the year, including high tea, themed days, jazz nights, and concerts. Additionally, visitors can explore an antiques shop located on the premises.

5. Abercrombie Caves

Travel south of Bathurst to discover a remarkable series of limestone arch caves known for their karst features.

Discovered by Europeans in 1842, these caves were subsequently utilized for recreation by gold miners in the area.

Within the most renowned cave, the Archway, a dance platform was established in 1880 to replace an earlier one erected 20 years prior, which is still in use for concerts today.

The Archway is recognized as the largest natural arch in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring walls adorned with substantial pieces of white marble.

Other caves to explore include the Grove Cave and Bushrangers Cave, which served as a hideout for the notorious bushranger gang, the Ribbon Gang, in 1830. The surrounding reserve acts as a wildlife sanctuary, home to kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and a diverse range of bird species.

6. Bathurst Regional Art Gallery

The notable gallery for the Bathurst region is a purpose-built facility established in 1989, which shares space with the regional library.

The gallery hosts around 25 exhibitions annually, primarily focusing on Australian art produced since the conclusion of WWII.

Artworks depicting local landscapes, towns, and villages are prominently featured, with celebrated 20th-century artists represented including Jean Bellette (1908-1991), Surrealist James Gleeson (1915-2008), and landscape painter Lloyd Rees (1895-1988). The exhibition schedule includes selections from the extensive collection, as well as national and international touring exhibits, showcases for local artists, and works from the Hill End colony as part of a residency initiative.

7. Bathurst Courthouse

A distinguished central landmark in Bathurst, the heritage-listed Courthouse is easily identifiable by its portico and octagonal dome. This establishment has been operational since 1880 and was designed by colonial architect James Barnet, embodying the Federation Free Classical style and constructed from locally fired bricks with sandstone embellishments.

Owned by the Department of Justice, the Courthouse continues to serve as the venue for the District and Supreme Courts, as well as the Court of Petty Sessions.

Visitors can access the east wing, which houses the Bathurst District Historical Society Museum.

Exhibits here chronicle Bathurst’s evolution into a garrison town, the initial gold discovery in New South Wales, Cobb & Co stagecoaches, and the region’s history of bushranging.

The textile collection is highly esteemed, featuring what is thought to be the colony’s earliest wedding dress.

8. Machattie Park

Adjacent to the Courthouse lies a park, established in 1890, which retains its original layout and much of its ornamental design.

As you stroll through Machattie Park, you will encounter charming monuments such as the Crago Fountain band rotunda, Caretaker’s Cottage, Munro Drinking Fountain, and Lake Spencer.

The park boasts numerous mature exotic trees including English oak, red beech, Atlas cedar, Chinese elm, pin oak, and Deodar cedar, among others.

During autumn, the deciduous trees acquire stunning red and gold hues.

Near the rotunda at the rear of the Courthouse, you will discover the Begonia House & Fernery, a significant autumn highlight in Bathurst, showcasing over 100 different varieties of begonias.

9. Chifley Home

Ben Chifley, Australia’s 16th Prime Minister (1945-1949), resided at this home located at 10 Busby Street with his wife Elizabeth intermittently from 1914 until his passing in 1951. Chifley worked as a railway worker during the first quarter of the 20th century prior to his political career, and the home reflects a working-class lifestyle preserved in the 1940s.

Throughout Chifley Home, one can observe artifacts from the Great Depression, as well as austerity measures and wartime rationing.

These elements contrast with ceremonial gifts he received during his tenure as Prime Minister and Treasurer of Australia.

10. Kangaroo Boundary Road Reserve

Located just west of the circuit is a sizable remnant bushland area featuring level pathways and unobstructed views of Mount Panorama as well as Bathurst.

What stands out immediately is the substantial number of kangaroos moving about the reserve in groups.

While these creatures are generally harmless, it is advisable to maintain a safe distance.

Informative signs have been installed to educate visitors about the kangaroos and native bird species, with several seating areas available to enjoy the scenic views of the town.

11. Evans Crown Nature Reserve

A bit further out, Evans Crown can be reached by a scenic drive east from the village of Tarana.

The location is approximately a half-hour journey from Bathurst, and the peculiar granite tors strewn across the reserve are certainly worth the trip.

The highest point, Crown Rock, rises just over 1,100 meters and was historically significant to the Waradjuri Aboriginal people, serving as a site for initiation and dance rituals (corroboree). In addition to its stunning geomorphology, Evans Crown is also valued for its rich wildlife, including wombats, echidnas, eastern grey kangaroos, red-necked wallabies, platypuses, sugar gliders, and possums.

12. Hill End Historic Site

A noteworthy day trip is to the historic gold mining town of Hill End, located approximately one hour north of Bathurst.

At its peak during the 1870s, Hill End boasted a population exceeding 8,000, but this subsequently declined sharply as gold became increasingly scarce.

Eventually, the town transitioned into a quieter existence as an art colony.

Today, the remnants of the town reveal a street layout amid picturesque bushland, marked by abandoned mines and a mix of vacant lots and preserved heritage buildings.

Visitors can explore areas that provide insight into gold mining practices during the New South Wales Gold Rush, such as the Colonial Gold Mining Company’s roasting kilns and battery structures.

A treasure trove of mining equipment and carriages dating back over 150 years can be found, along with areas to relax and enjoy a barbecue on the grounds of the Historic Hill End Hospital.

13. Sofala

Another significant remnant of the Gold Rush era, the small town of Sofala is believed to be the oldest settlement from that period in Australia.

Gold was discovered here in Summerhill Creek in February 1851, resulting in an influx of thousands of prospectors within a few weeks.

Numerous structures from the early days remain intact, including the Royal Hotel (1862) on Denison Street, which continues to offer accommodation to visitors.

Presently, individuals still come to Sofala with gold pans or metal detectors in hopes of finding gold.

Visitors can test their panning skills along the banks of the Turon River or simply appreciate the historic town’s character and its idyllic mountainous backdrop.

14. Inland Sea of Sound

In late February, the summit of Wahluu-Mount Panorama is transformed into the venue for a two-day arts festival, held with the encouragement and collaboration of the region’s Aboriginal elders.

The Inland Sea of Sound festival merges music and art, catering to a broad audience while showcasing major recording artists and providing a platform for local talent.

The 2020 edition featured performances from artists such as Mama Kin Spender, Killing Heidi, Missy Higgins, and Timberwolf, among others.

15. Bathurst Sheep and Cattle Show (Heritage Park)

This complex situated just east of Bathurst has an intriguing history, originally established as a WWII army camp in 1940 and later serving as the Bathurst Migrant Camp until 1952. Since the 1970s, it has been the locale for the Bathurst Sheep and Cattle Show, which has evolved into a permanent attraction educating visitors about rural life and Aboriginal culture.

Typically, guests can observe working dogs in action, milk cows, witness sheep shearing, and learn about various sheep and cattle breeds from New South Wales.

The site includes an animal zone featuring native Australian species such as emus and kangaroos, a nine-hole putting course, hayrides, and a comprehensive schedule of activities, including bush dancing, whip cracking, archery, and stargazing.