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.