13 Noteworthy Things to Do in Bathurst

Bathurst is known for motor racing, but if you’re looking for less adrenaline, here are the best things to do at your own speed.

Discover Bathurst’s surprising historic charm beyond its famous Mount Panorama and motor races. Explore the gold rush history and iconic scenery, tour museums, taste the region’s famous wine and soak up the relaxed atmosphere of this picturesque city.

With endless options for history buffs, foodies and nature lovers, Bathurst is a treasure trove of hidden gems. Take a break from the race circuit and discover the best things to do in this down-to-earth town.

1. Bathurst Regional Art Gallery

With a permanent collection of more than 2000 works by Australian artists, the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) displays curated exhibitions plus a diverse range of touring exhibitions. The gallery’s collection was established in 1955 and is now run by the Regional Council, which welcomes 30,000 visitors each year.

BRAG stages a variety of annual exhibitions, including touring, specially curated and local artist exhibits, as well as exhibitions curated from the permanent collection and the work of Hill End artists produced as part of the gallery’s artist residency program.

Address: 70–78 Keppel St, Bathurst

a couple strolling around Bathurst Regional Art Gallery

Marvel at the curated displays inside Bathurst Regional Art Gallery. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Webb & Co Beverage Emporium

Tucked at the back of the Webb Chambers heritage building, Webb & Co Beverage Emporium is a great place for a pre-dinner cocktail, craft beer or local wine. Don’t let the small-scale fool you, this local haunt goes big on grandeur. Think classic cocktails, locally grown wines and craft beer, all in a historical setting.

Address: 175 George St, Bathurst

3. National Motor Racing Museum

Because you can’t come to Bathurst and ignore it! The National Motor Racing Museum displays some 50 cars and bikes, images and racing memorabilia, celebrating the history, personalities and achievements of Australian Motor Sports.

While the local Mount Panorama and Bathurst 1000 is at the heart of the displays, attention is paid to the history of speedway, solar, drag, open-wheeler, sports car, rallying and plenty more across the spectrum of Australian Motor Racing.

Address: 400 Panorama Ave, Bathurst

a display of motorcycles inside the National Motor Racing Museum, Bathurst

Find over 110 racing bikes and cars on display. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Abercrombie House

It’s hard to plan a trip to Bathurst without the mention of Abercrombie House. Put simply, this place is a national heritage treasure built in 1878, now open for public tours and special events – including regular high teas, night tours for the kids, Christmas in July and more.

Take a guided (or self-guided) tour through the 50-room Scottish-baronial mansion taking in the exhibitions, displays, collections, grounds and gardens, outbuildings and property walks throughout the 18 hectares.

Address: 311 Ophir Rd, Bathurst

External view of Abercrombie House in Bathurst

Abercrombie House is a grand heritage treasure in Bathurst. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Mayfield Garden

Located a 30-minute drive from Bathurst, Mayfield Garden is the perfect stopover for Sydneysiders on the way to/from town. This breathtaking 64-hectare property is one of the world’s largest privately owned cool-climate gardens and is inspired by an English country estate.

Beautiful in every season, Mayfield Garden is open 363 days. The extensive array of pathways are designed to be explored, with many nooks-and-crannies to discover and the mobility-friendly Camellia Walk. They also offer delicious, seasonal meals at the quaint onsite cafe – or you can order a picnic.

Address: 530 Mayfield Road, Oberon

Couple enjoying the spring blooms at Mayfield Garden near Bathurst

Wander around the grounds of Mayfield Garden for some truly spectacular sights. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Reckless Brewing

Owned by two friends with a passion for creating craft beers from natural ingredients, Reckless Brewing is a must-visit for beer lovers and foodies. The building is a heritage-listed ex-flour mill which gives the space rustic country vibes and a certain hillbilly charm. It’s fun and friendly, with plenty of mouth-watering street-style food and events to keep you entertained.

Address: 2A Piper St, Bathurst

the exterior of Reckless Brewing at Bathurst's historic Crago Mill site

Stop by Reckless Brewing for a top-notch meal.

7. Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum

The Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum is a great place to take the family and displays a range of historically significant and irreplaceable heritage items – including a T-Rex centrepiece that the kids will love!

Address: 224 Howick St, Bathurst

a dinosaur fossil display at Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum

Kids will go wild when they witness T-Rex on display. (Image: Destination NSW/Australian Mineral and Fossil Museum)

8. Bathurst Rail Museum

One of the best things to do in Bathurst with kids, the Bathurst Rail Museum is housed in the historic Railway Institute building and boasts a model railway the size of a tennis court. There’s also a dedicated kids’ space with plenty of engaging activities.

Address: 126 Havannah St, Bathurst

a train carriage at Bathurst Rail Museum in Bathurst

Bathurst Rail Museum is located next to the city’s train station. (Image: Destination NSW)

9. Miss Traill’s House

History buffs, antique lovers and gardeners will all delight in the charming simplicity of Miss Traill’s House, a Victorian-era bungalow and garden that boasts old furniture, art collections and a beautiful heritage garden. Weekly tours are run on Sundays by friendly and knowledgeable volunteers.

Address: 321 Russell St, Bathurst

10. Japanese Bath House

Perfect for Sydney dwellers travelling to the region, the traditional Japanese Bath House is located at the edge of the Blue Mountains, about an hour’s drive from Bathurst – and totally worth it for health and wellness lovers. Nestled on 300 hectares of farmland and overlooking Lake Lyell, the bath house offers mineral-rich hot springs, a steam room and peaceful zen gardens.

Address: 259 Sir Thomas Mitchell Dr, Lithgow

11. The Rockley Pub

Well worth the half-hour drive from Bathurst, The Rockley Pub offers the perfect quintessential Aussie pub experience, making it a must-add to your list of things to do in the region.

Revamped by Australian food icon and owner Matt Moran, expect great pub grub with fresh, local produce, all your favourite boozy beverages and a buzzing vibe amidst the peaceful landscape of a country town.

Address: 2 Budden St, Rockley

Chill out at The Rockley Pub with a drink in hand. (Image: Destination NSW)

12. Bathurst Winter Festival

If you’re looking for something to do during the cooler months, the Bathurst Winter Festival is a must. If you’ve been to the region during winter, you’ll know it gets really cold – making it the perfect destination for some wintery wonder.

For two weeks in July, Bathurst is transformed into a winter wonderland of art, markets, ice-skating, food, music and light installations that illuminate Bathurst’s beauty.

the annual Bathurst Winter Festival in 2016

Time your visit with the annual Bathurst Winter Festival. (Image: David Roma)

13. Hill End Historic Town

If you’re up for a bit of a road trip, the historic town of Hill End is a scenic, one-hour drive from Bathurst and is an absolute delight for history buffs and lovers of Australian culture. Exploring the town’s iconic buildings and historic sites invites you to step back in time and glimpse Australia’s fascinating gold-rush history.

Hill End is a heritage-listed gold rush boom town. (Image: David Ireland/Tourism Australia Copyright)

Megan Arkinstall contributed entries one to five of this article.

Read our Bathurst travel guide for more insider tips and travel secrets.

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

Bathurst may be more synonymous with racing than with a weekend getaway, but the historic town and its surrounding backroads are full of surprises. This is ideal road trip territory, not only for the scenery, but because there’s so much to discover. While neighbouring towns Orange and Mudgee get the limelight, Bathurst and Oberon deliver on character and charm; they’re packed with pubs, wineries and eateries that make you want to stop, stretch your legs and fill your stomach.

Day one

But first, coffee at Fidelity Coffee

The scenic Blue Mountains is the perfect place to stop and caffeinate before you continue your road trip. (Image: Unsplash/ Nathan Dumlao)

The Blue Mountains are a handy midway stop from Sydney to Bathurst and a perfect place to caffeinate for the drive ahead. Fidelity Coffee in Katoomba opened in January; it’s the kind of sleek, minimal space that wouldn’t look out of place in inner Sydney. The food menu is a limited selection of pastries and sweets, but the coffee is excellent, there’s plenty of nearby parking and it’s easy to get back onto the road.

Address: Shop 3/177-179 Katoomba St, Katoomba

Pub lunch at The Rockley Pub

Rockley Pub boasts timeless country charm. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Rather than take the direct route to Bathurst, via the Great Western Highway, turn right at Magpie Hollow Rd and go through O’Connell. This is a road trip after all, so take the one less travelled and enjoy the scenery on the way to lunch. Fine dining chef Matt Moran took over the Rockley Pub, built in 1872, in 2021. The eggs and Berkshire sausages on the menu come from his nearby farm, the burgers are done right – cooked medium, with beetroot and you can add bacon. The front bar used to be the district courthouse, it’s got a fire, there’s a pool room at the back and the bistro serves excellent food.

Matt Moran used his passion for local produce in reinventing the historical Rockley Pub.

General manager Stephen Manley, who used to work with Moran at Sydney fine diners Aria and Chiswick, says it’s still very much a locals’ pub as well as a popular pitstop for day trippers.

“It’s becoming a bit of a destination for people coming through this way, to Oberon and Orange. We can do up to 270 people in a day and we’re working on improving the infrastructure and adding accommodation,” he says.

Moran recently purchased another property in Bathurst, with plans to create a convenience market, bakery, sandwich shop and community co-op.

Address: 4 Budden St, Rockley

Tea time at Bake, Table & Tea 

Tea lovers will adore not just the space but also the homeware collections for sale.

This Bathurst teahouse, tucked behind a homewares shop, boasts over 50 loose-leaf teas on the menu. They are charmingly served in a glass teapot, which sits atop a warmer with a tealight candle.

Manager Erin Kneller said no one was specialising in premium tea at the time and it has carved out a niche. Their most popular blends include Paris, a sweet and fragrant vanilla Earl Grey, and Good Morning, a very strong English breakfast.

“All the food is made in-house, we offer gluten, egg and dairy-free options. It was a priority to offer them in Bathurst,” she says.

Address: 76 George St, Bathurst

A spot of shopping at The Barn  

Shop for farmhouse-inspired gifts at The Barn.

Deb North opened her country wares store in early 2025. There’s everything from cowhide chairs, leather satchels and metal flowers crafted from 44-gallon drums, made by a local artist.

“No one else was doing farmhouse rustic wares, I wanted to create a shop that celebrated where we live,” she says.

Address: 179 George St, Bathurst

Check in at Dunkley House

This restored heritage property comes with a working fireplace, pool table and loads of charm. It’s conveniently located a few blocks from the centre of town and is managed by BnB Made Easy.

Address: 251 Russell St, Bathurst

While away the evening at Norma Joan  wine bar

Share plates and cocktails at Norma Joans

Timeless charm meets modern dining at Norma Joans.

Everything on the menu is proudly local, from the drinks to the produce. Owner Michael Madden named the Norma Joan restaurant after his two grandmothers – Norma’s plates are used for dessert and Joan’s golden syrup dumplings are on the menu.

After working with Rockpool Group in Sydney, he came home and opened Norma Joan nearly a year ago. “Bathurst has always been home. I’ve always loved what’s in the area but we never had anywhere to celebrate it,” he says. “The idea is there’s so much good stuff around here that’s underrepresented. I ummed and ahhed about other wines, but there’s so much here and I want to champion it.”

The wines come from Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee, Canowindra, Rylestone and Young. Beers are from Bathurst’s Cosmo Brewing and Reckless Brewing and spirits from Bathurst Grange Distillery and Stone Pine Distillery. Produce is also local.

“We get our beef from Curly Tree Farm; every six weeks, they kill a beast for us and we use the whole animal,” Madden says.

Address: 142 William St, Bathurst

Day two

It’s a big driving day, start with coffee  at The Hub Espresso Bar & Eatery

Find Fish River Roasters served at the Hub Espresso Bar & Eatery. (Image: Unsplash/ Tabitha Turner)

This popular spot has been keeping locals caffeinated for 17 years. There’s a focus on free range and local produce and it also has an exclusive coffee blend, made with the local Fish River Roasters.

Address: 52 Keppel St, Bathurst

Build a roadside snowman at Shooter’s Hill

If you’re travelling in winter, take the hour’s drive past Oberon to Shooter’s Hill and chances are you’ll see snow. At an elevation of 1,355 metres, it’s the fourth-highest point in the Central Tablelands. If you’re extra lucky, it’ll actually be snowing, but even if not, you’ll see mounds of the white stuff stacked onto the side of the road. There’s enough of it to build a small snowman and have a snowball fight before your fingers freeze and it’s time to jump back in the car.

Address: Shooter’s Hill Rd, Shooter’s Hill

Strike black gold at Red Ground Truffles

Red Ground offers visitors warm and relaxing views.

Oberon is one of the places in NSW where it’s cold enough to grow truffles. Jill O’Grady and her husband Neil planted four varieties in 2012, so that you could harvest them from December to October.

“We have 60 acres, the majority of the trees are French evergreen oak and we have Italian stone pine for the spring white truffle,” O’Grady says.

Experience the thrill of truffle-hunting.

“The truffle hunt is a three-to-four-hour immersive experience. We start with truffle soup and truffle baked brie, learn about how we train the truffle dogs and farm biosecurity, then go on the hunt. Everyone can dig one up. Then we have more truffle dishes and a truffle grading workshop.”

Address: 264 Titania Rd, Oberon

Sweet treats at The Milbrey Kitchen & Store

The Milbrey is beloved for its warm atmosphere and friendly service.

Stop for lunch or afternoon tea at Oberon. The Milbrey has a roaring fire, an excellent kids’ play area and some of the best baked goods going. We gorged on French canelé, Nutella-filled bomboloni, orange-scented cinnamon scrolls and oversized chocolate and macadamia muffins.

Chef Drew Bolton, who worked at Sydney fine diners Aria and Quay, opened the eatery late 2023.

“We like to consider ourselves a casual local restaurant. We do have a cafe-style menu and ramp it up at nighttime,” he says.

Local produce is highlighted in their fresh and tasty dishes.

“For me, it’s about cooking the best food that I can. That means baking everything fresh in the morning and using good seasonal local produce, what’s local.”

Address: 163 Oberon St, Oberon

Pub stop at The O’Connell Hotel

On the way back to Bathurst, stop for a drink at the family-owned The O’Connell Hotel. The yellow, roadside pub on the banks of the Fish River was built in 1865. It’s set on seven acres and in summer, you can also camp on the property.

Address: 2408 O’Connell Rd, O’Connell

Winery visit at Renzaglia Wines  

The winery overlooks the Wambuul Valley.

The region isn’t synonymous with wineries, which is why it’s a bonus when you find one. This family-operated winery is open by appointment only, except for one weekend a month.

Chances are you’ll be greeted by Ali the dog, who nudges you to throw a ball, before settling in with Mark for a tasting. “My son Sam wanted to do it, so we planted vines in 1997. We have chardonnay, cabernet, shiraz, tempranillo, sangiovese and grenache,” Renzaglia says. “Chardonnay and shiraz grapes grow well here, they’re adaptable to cooler climates. I’ve seen tempranillo and sangiovese do well.

“I like the challenge of trying to pioneer a new area.” The boutique winery produced two big vintages in the last two years, 40 tonnes, which is roughly 3000 cases of wine.

Their wine flavours range from underrated and subtle to bold and experimental.

“The Bella Luna chardonnay is our signature. It’s a little more experimental, uses wild yeast fermentation and is more like a pet-nat. The Murnang di Renzo, our entry-level range, is a vermentino with a bit of riesling and a little skin contact,” Renzaglia says.

“We are trying to look after the land, not use herbicides and make minimal intervention wine.”

Address: 38 Bosworth Falls Rd, O’Connell

Nip of whisky at Bathurst Grange Distillery   

Whisky aficionados are in for a treat.

Nick  Jones was inspired by the whisky revolution in Tasmania, so he started making it on his grandparents’ sheep farm in 2014. “We have everything you need to make great whisky, the climate, we grow our ingredients – barley, juniper and other botanicals for gin – and we have great water from the Blue Mountains,” he says.

“It’s paddock to bottle.” The distillery produces gin, whisky, vodka and a whiskey liqueur.

“Our bourbon cask single malt whisky won the double gold medal at the World Spirits Championship, it’s the Oscars of whisky,” he says.

“It’s finished in shiraz casks and because of the big fluctuations in temperature, -10C to 40C, the barrels expand and contract, which increases the surface area and interaction with the whisky, so as the barrel ages, it increases the flavours.”

Address: The Grange, 3249 O’Connell Rd, Brewongle

Day three

Pub breakfast at The Oxford Hotel 

The Oxford Hotel serves up hearty meals for families.

A recent renovation has seen the Oxford Hotel transformed into a family-friendly venue. On a Sunday morning, it’s filled with prams, parents and little people making the most of the breakfast menu and epic playground. From 12pm, the lunch menu kicks in, and Brock’s serves up pizzas and Italian fare.

Address: 170 William St, Bathurst

A home with history and heart  at Abercrombie House

Abercrombie House is a 50-room Scottish baronial mansion open to the public.

What is a Scottish Baronial manor house doing in Bathurst? Lieutenant Colonel William Stuart, who was from the Scottish Highlands, built it in the 1870s after being granted a parcel of land. The 50-room mansion fell into disrepair for many years until Christopher Morgan’s parents brought it back to life in 1962. In 1969, they opened it to the public.

“This was the first privately owned historic house open to the public. As long as people are interested, we’ll share it,” Morgan says.

“It’s a living house and a working house; we host private functions such as high teas.”

Morgan sees himself as a custodian of the house. It’s open five days a week for people to wander the rabbit warren of rooms, many with working fireplaces, and explore the décor that spans collections of matchbox cars to leather-bound books.

Address: 311 Ophir Rd, Bathurst

A sprawling country brewery at Reckless Brewing  Co.

Reckless’ bold branding translates into its bold-flavoured beers.

Covid was good to Jarrod Moore, his fiancée Grace Fowler and best friend Alice Wilson. They started brewing in 2019, had moved to the area from Sydney and during a virtual Zoom tasting, someone mentioned there was an abandoned brewery in the middle of Bathurst. They visited the next day, the DAs were in place and they opened in September 2022.

The sprawling site is furnished from the local tip for that distinctive kitsch vibe city venues try so hard to emulate; there’s a children’s play area and a kitchen doing the kind of food that goes well with beer. “The town came on board and really supported us,” Moore says.

“We make 10,000 litres of beer a week. There are 10 beers in our core range and five to 10 seasonals. It’s mostly craft beer, but a lot of the people that come to the region like lagers so we created the BX lager and that makes up 50 per cent of what we brew.” He is incredibly proud of what the region produces.

“Bathurst has three wineries, two distilleries and two breweries and together we have won more awards than any other region,” he says. “We’re also the largest female-led brewery in the southern hemisphere.”

Address: 2a Piper St, Bathurst

For more of Bathurst to explore, read our pick of the best things to do.

13 things to do in Bathurst (other than the races)