Attractions & Activities in Bathurst
Bathurst is a vibrant regional city less than three hours drive from Sydney. Rex Airlines also operates a service into Bathurst from Sydney with the airport located 3 kms from the hotel. Visitors to Bathurst can explore a rich history and culture, impressive architecture and great restaurants and wineries.
The world famous and iconic Mount Panorama Circuit is located right on our doorstep! Even if you’re not a car enthusiast we recommend you do a lap of the race track which can be done in your own vehicle and is an amazing experience. The Gold Panner Motor Inn has sweeping views of the town and Mt Panorama racetrack from all accommodation, and is located only a couple of km’s from the centre of Bathurst.
Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit
Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit is one of the most exciting race tracks in the world hosting the world famous V8 super car and several other races throughout the year. It is the only major race track that is a public road outside race time.
National Motor Racing Museum
The National Motor Racing Museum is a must see for anyone visiting Bathurst. Located right next to the track at the bottom of Conrod Straight.
The Museum celebrates the history, personalities and achievements of Australian Motor Sports. While Mount Panorama and the Bathurst 1000 is at the heart of the displays, take a look across the spectrum of Australian Motor Racing. The history of speedway, solar, drag, rallying, open wheeler, sports car as well as touring cars is told.
The history of Motorbike racing in particular is given great attention
The Museum’s mission is the conservation and preservation of material relevant to Australian motor racing history, and to enhance the understanding and significance of motor sport within Australia.
Dozens of private individuals, as well as commercial groups such as The Peter Brock Foundation, Triple Eight Race engineering, Bowden’s, ARDC, Suzuki Australia, HONDA MPE, Holden Motor sport, Mazda Racing and Volvo Australia have all have kindly lent their cars, bikes, trophies and photographs for display.
Doors open from 9am every day (except Christmas Day and selected public holidays) and closes at 4:30pm.
Bathurst Regional Art Gallery
Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) is one of the oldest regional galleries in NSW. It is well equipped and home to one of the finest collection of Lloyd Rees artworks in NSW. The Art Gallery is easily located next to Bathurst Regional Library.
The BRAG’s program features a huge range of touring exhibitions, local artist projects, and a permanent collection featuring the work of Hill End artists. An Artist in Residence (AIR)program is run at Hill End. The Hill End AIR Program allows contemporary Australian and international artists the chance to experience and respond to the historically charged landscape of Hill End.
The BRAG also runs a series of workshops, demonstrations and talks throughout the year for all ages, mediums and experience levels.
Exhibitions change over every 6 weeks, so best to check the website for current display details.
Admission: Free entry
Australian Fossil & Mineral Museum
Situated in the heart of Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum is the home of the internationally renowned Somerville Collection.
The Somerville Collection is the lifetime work of Warren Somerville AM and features some of the finest and rarest specimens of mineral crystals and fossils from around the world.
The collection is housed in the historic 1876 Public School building, the building currently holds 2000 fossil and mineral specimens which are displayed in two main exhibitions – the Fossil Gallery and the Mineral Gallery.
The Mineral Gallery includes specimens from many of Australia’s and the world’s most important mines, brilliantly displayed and clearly identified. Displays explore the formation of rocks and minerals, mineral locations, crystal structure and the use of minerals in our lives. Rare formations, crystallised gold, raw gemstones, delicate uranium mineral crystallisation and stunning colours make this gallery unforgettable.
The fossil gallery displays specimens from every major stage of life on Earth. The centrepiece of the exhibition is a display of three dinosaurs, a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, an Albertosaurus and a smaller Thescelosaurus skeleton.
The collection also includes Australia’s largest collection of fossils in amber, fossilised dinosaur eggs, some of the oldest fossils of early forms of life, and a large collection of Australia’s unique opalised fossils.
The museum also has a temporary exhibition space displaying a changing program of travelling and temporary exhibitions and a museum shop with a wide variety of quality fossil and mineral specimens, dinosaur, Earth history and science products.
Located at 224 Howick Street, next to the Post Office, opens from 10am-4pm Monday- Saturday, 10am to 2pm Sunday. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing day & New Years Day
Bathurst Farmer's Market
Wander through the pavilions and sample or buy fresh regional produce. The market's aim is to encourage stalls with goods that are grown and / or produced within the Bathurst and Central West Regions. Local Community Groups are often on hand with information, entertainment and much, much more!
The markets are held on the fourth Saturday of each month from January to November and on the third Saturday of December
Gates are open to the public from 8 am to 12 noon. The markets are situated at the historic Bathurst Showground and surrounds
Abercrombie House
Abercrombie House was built in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia in the 1870s by the Stewart family who were Bathurst pioneers. William Stewart came to Australia from England in 1825 as part of the colonisation of the penal colony (Australia). William was the Lieutenant Governor General of New South Wales; which meant he was hypothetically 2nd in command to running Australia. William was given land in Bathurst as a reward for doing his job well. William Stewart's eldest son James built Abercrombie House. The house is considered to be of extreme historical significance. It is listed on the National Trust Register. It is also on the New South Wales Heritage Register and the Australian Heritage Database which describes it as "an outstanding example of Victorian Tudor style architecture. It is built of granite with sandstone dressing to the quoins and window surrounds, and there are two storeys together with an attic floor. The building's most striking feature is its array of curvilinear parapeted gables topped by iron finials." The 50-acre (200,000 m2) land and house is currently owned by the Rex Henry Morgan Family. Since 1969 the Morgan family has made major restorations to the house. The House is currently occupied by Christopher Morgan and his family.
Abercrombie Caves
The Abercrombie Caves, contained within the Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve, are a series of limestone archcaves that are located in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. The caves are renowned for their karstqualities, namely the formation that has been eroded by water action that has developed from a sinkhole to become a blind valley. Several good examples of crayback formations exist in both entrances.
The 1,434-hectare (3,540-acre) reserve is situated 75 kilometres (47 mi) south of Bathurst and 125 kilometres (78 mi) north of Goulburn, near the small village of Trunkey Creek. The caves are registered as a natural heritage site on the Register of the National Estate for its large diversity of karst morphological and sedimentological features. Camping in the reserve is permitted, with sixty campground sites and two cottages. The caves are open seven days a week during school holidays; and closed on Monday and Tuesday during school terms.
Mayfield Garden
Mayfield Garden near Oberon began to take shape in the mid-1990’s and today is one of the world’s largest privately owned cool climate gardens. Owned by the Hawkins family, Mayfield extends across more than 160 acres (64H) and sits within a 5,000 acre working farm. Numerous follies and features are blended into the landscape across both the private and public gardens.
The sections of Mayfield open daily to the public extends over 36 acres. The garden includes a water and stone feature garden, blue-stone bridge, iron and stone arbour, a copper tree fountain, obelisk pond and allee of London Plane trees, Valley of the Five Ponds, Venus Vale, The Gallery and much more. This cool climate garden is amazing in all seasons from the water lilies in bloom in Summer, the colourful foliage of Autumn, the raw structure of trees on show in wintertime and the lush growth and heady scents of Spring.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Come and discover the expansive Private Garden beyond Mayfield Garden – spanning over 160acres (64H) across the hillside. Features include: the Rose Garden, Creek Garden, Aviary, Walled Kitchen Garden, Mayfield Cascade (80m cascade with temple source).
MAYFIELD GARDEN SPRING FESTIVAL – October
The Private Garden has been designed to make the best of spring and autumn. Take a full day to wander the private family garden at leisure – see vibrant spring colours in the blooms, blossoms and lush green growth.
MAYFIELD GARDEN SUMMER FESTIVAL – January
Discover the Private Garden in Summer with lush leafy green foliage and delightful roses.
MAYFIELD GARDEN AUTUMN FESTIVAL – April
View the Private Garden in rustic hues of Autumn colour.
MAYFIELD GARDEN WINTER FESTIVAL – July
Winter is the time to see the Private Garden in the raw, with the structure of trees and landscaping on show.
Jenolan Caves
Open every day, multi award wining, Jenolan Caves are the largest, most spectacular and most famous caves in Australia.
Explore the world’s oldest caves – one of the most outstanding cave systems in the world. You are never too young or old to experience the amazing – tours, adventure caving, scenic bush walks and Australian Aboriginal culture.
Glimpse Australian birds and animals in the wild, including kangaroos and platypus. Set in Blue Mountains World Heritage wilderness, Jenolan Caves are a national treasure, of awe-inspiring beauty and scale. At just over an hour from Bathurst with beautiful scenery along the way its the perfect day trip.
Is it cold in the caves?
Temperature inside the caves does not change with the seasons. It is always approximately 15 degrees Celsius, comfortable for walking and climbing stairs. If you are attending an underground concert, bring something warm to wear during the concert.
Can we still visit the caves if it is raining?
Yes. The caves are safe in all weather conditions, and tours are unaffected by rain.
What is the best cave to see?
There is no such thing as the ‘best cave at Jenolan’, as they are all very different. It is like asking what is the best food on a menu. It is a subjective choice. Your choice depends on several factors, including your fitness level and tour duration. Age is also a factor, as not all caves are suitable for younger children, and some caves are too strenuous for less mobile adults.
However, the Lucas Cave is our largest and most famous cave tour. It contains the ‘Cathedral’, our most famous cave chamber.
Should I pre-book a tour?
Tours run at regular intervals, from 9.30am to 5.00pm, every day of the year. Additional tours operate during busy times. However, each tour has a limited number of available places. We strongly recommend that you pre-book, particularly during holidays and on weekends, to avoid disappointment and having to wait for the next available tour.
What should I wear for my cave tour?
Wear sturdy, non-slip shoes and comfortable clothing, similar to what you would wear for a bushwalk. High heels and ‘thongs’ are not recommended for any tour.
Can I take photographs in the cave?
Yes. Photography, including the use of flash, is permitted on all tours. However, tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed on tours, and may not be brought into any cave.
How many cave tours can I do in a day?
It would take 3 or 4 days to see all the guided show cave tours at Jenolan! In addition, there are our Adventure Caving tours and self-guided tour! However, in a single day, the average adult can comfortably visit 3 show caves.
Is there a parking fee?
No. All parking is free.
Is fuel available?
We do not sell fuel at Jenolan. The closest fuel is available at Oberon (30km). Please plan to buy fuel on your way to the caves.
