New South Wales

Central West

<p><i>The ultimate</i> <strong>Sydney</strong> to <strong>Dubbo</strong> road trip guide</p>

The ultimate Sydney to Dubbo road trip guide

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<p><i>Every must-try</i> <strong>Dubbo</strong> restaurant and bar</p>

Every must-try Dubbo restaurant and bar

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<p><strong>Australia</strong>’s <i>largest African-style savannah experience</i> coming in 2026</p>

Australia’s largest African-style savannah experience coming in 2026

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<p>Inside <strong>NSW</strong>’s <i>dreamy</i> new safari-style farm stay</p>

Inside NSW’s dreamy new safari-style farm stay

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<p>6 <i>incredible</i> day trips from <strong>Dubbo</strong></p>

6 incredible day trips from Dubbo

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<p>This new <i>wellness retreat</i> in <strong>Mudgee</strong> is the <i>ultimate reset</i></p>

This new wellness retreat in Mudgee is the ultimate reset

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<p><i>A country road trip</i> with vineyards, historic pubs and great food in <strong>NSW</strong></p>

A country road trip with vineyards, historic pubs and great food in NSW

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<p><i>8 of the best accommodation options</i> in <strong>Dubbo</strong> to retreat into</p>

8 of the best accommodation options in Dubbo to retreat into

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We reveal the best experiences, stays, food and wine in Central West NSW in our guide to the region, which includes Orange, Mudgee & more.

Exterior of Rockley Pub
Things to do

A country road trip with vineyards, historic pubs and great food in NSW

Take the backroads on a road trip from Sydney to Bathurst and discover a slew of delights to savour.

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Serengetti resort pool render Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Accommodation

Australia’s largest African-style savannah experience coming in 2026

A new resort is set to transport guests to the Serengeti at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo.

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This new wellness retreat in Mudgee is the ultimate reset
Accommodation

This new wellness retreat in Mudgee is the ultimate reset

Wellness meets wine at this wholesome regional escape.

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Breadknife and Grand High Tops Walk Warrumbungle
Things to do

6 incredible day trips from Dubbo

Whether you’re after a quirky lunch with alpacas, a challenging hike or bike ride, or a campfire experience under a canopy of stars, there’s little the Great Western Plains can’t deliver.

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Budgalong Spicers Creek
Accommodation

Inside NSW’s dreamy new safari-style farm stay

This glamping stay is made for slowing down. 

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The white exterior of the Fernery accommodation in Dubbo
Accommodation

8 of the best accommodation options in Dubbo to retreat into

Whether you’re after a safari site, a boutique stay or a self-contained cottage, Dubbo has got it all.

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scenic views across Mayfield Garden, Oberon
Travel guide

The ultimate Sydney to Dubbo road trip guide

Getting behind the wheel is a pleasure when your journey covers landscapes as diverse as they are picturesque.

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alfresco seating at Press Cafe, Dubbo
Eating Out

Every must-try Dubbo restaurant and bar

Whether you’re hankering for a quick pie and coffee stop, a gastro pub feast or a fine dining experience in a winery, Dubbo has got every base covered.

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Things to do in Dubbo
Things to do

10 of the best things to do in Dubbo

African safaris, 400-million-year-old cave wonderworlds and a quaint Japanese garden; a trip to Dubbo allows you to traverse not only the globe, but time itself.

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Why the Central Coast is a foodie mecca

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Do & See

Stay

Drive beyond the haze of the Blue Mountains, and it won’t be long before you reach the open plains and abundant farmlands of the Central West. From the slopes of the Central Tablelands out to the western flats, here you’ll find delicious produce, excellent wine and fascinating stories aplenty.

Best places to visit in Central West NSW

Mudgee

The food and wine town of Mudgee on the Cudgegong River has it all: cellar doors to visit, colonial-era buildings to see, and local brews to try. Get back to nature here on nearby bush, wetland and rainforest trails.

Orange

Renowned for its vineyards and fruit orchards, the Central Tablelands town plays the bountiful host for any gourmet long weekend. Peruse its elegant boutique high street shops, tramp over snow-covered fields in winter and go cherry picking in spring.

Dubbo

Take a walk on the wild side at the Orana region city of Dubbo, a family-favourite that’s home to an African Plains-style safari adventure, heritage architecture and millions of stars that you can spy at the town’s observatory.

Bathurst

Australia’s oldest inland city is young at heart, with a burgeoning student population and thrilling motorsport races at Mount Panorama. Check out the remnants of its gold rush heritage and the toothsome inhabitants of its fossil and mineral museum.

Cowra

Famous as the site of a former Prisoner of War Camp during the Second World War, today the country town is home to a peaceful Japanese Garden and annual Cherry Blossom Festival, as well as vineyards, art exhibitions and gold rush history.


Top things to do in Central West NSW

Sample the best of the region’s cool-climate wines at any of the cellar doors in Orange. Over in Mudgee, start exploring one of Australia’s oldest wine regions at the Lowe Cellar Door, a certified organic and biodynamic vineyard. Check out the vintage motorcycle on display at Robert Stein Winery, and the stunning family-owned De Beaurepaire Wines, with its French-style wines.

Make like The Lion King on the open plains of Taronga Western Plains Zoo. With lions, meerkats, giraffes and zebras, a visit here feels like an African safari. There’s a lot of Australian wildlife to discover as well. Among the ridges of Nangar National Park, you might spot swooping wedge-tailed eagles, as well as roos and wallabies, as you take the Mount Nangar walking track.

If you find yourself at Orange on a warm day, Lake Canobolas has ‘beaches’ from which you can launch yourself into its waters, as well as picnic areas where you can set up a late lunch.

At Dubbo, visit the old gaol lockup. Dating back to the 19th century, today a trip here will see you interact with theatrical performances and explore the historical grounds. At Bathurst, there is high tea at the heritage Abercrombie House, a Scottish-style mansion from the 1870s. In spring, walk up Cowra’s ​​Sakura Avenue to see the cherry trees blossom.


Where to stay in Central West NSW

Go on an eco-friendly glamping trip with Siera Escape at Mudgee (also featured in our best places to stay in Mudgee). A luxurious adults-only experience, spend just an hour or two here in the freestanding bath outside the tent, and you’ll be swearing to extend your booking. There are also the luxurious bell tents and private villas with

Glenayr Farm’s luxury glamping and villa accommodation are named in our list of 100 Unique Stays. The secluded accommodation is set on a 320-acre working sheep farm, is completely off-grid with all on-site facilities solar-powered, features outdoor hot tubs and is within driving distance to Mudgee’s best wineries and restaurants.

For a romantic winery stay in Orange, the family-run Nashdale Lane Glamping is a boutique option for those who want to spoil their other half (for a minimum of two nights) at a cellar door. Sip on local Orange wine on the deck before retiring to your four-poster bed.


Where to eat and drink in Central West NSW

At Cowra, start your day at Breakout Brasserie, a charming little local that has the goods when it comes to gluten-free and breakfast options. Atmospheric and aesthetically gorgeous, The Auctioneer cafe in Dubbo serves up fresh French pastries and a seasonal breakfast and lunch menu.

If you’re in Orange, the hipster-esque Byng Street Local Store serves a cracking coffee, as well as food from breakfast to dinner.

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