With a rich history, iconic racetrack and stunning landscapes, the charming town of Bathurst is a must-see for every caravanner.
Surrounded by gently rolling hills and expansive skies, Bathurst is brimming with history, adventure and natural beauty. Whether you’re interested in scenic drives, sampling local products and produce, history or you want to tick off a V8-worthy bucket list item, Bathurst has something for everyone. So, let’s explore this charming inland New South Wales town and discover why it should be on your travel radar for your next caravanning adventure.
A rich history
Australia is home to many charming towns, each with their own unique history and heritage. But only Bathurst has the claim to fame of being the oldest inland settlement west of the Blue Mountains. Founded in 1815, Bathurst and the surrounding area was originally used for grazing and pastoral land. However, this small settlement was transformed in 1851 when Edward Hargraves discovered gold in nearby Ophir, turning Bathurst into a central hub during the gold rush period.
The growth only increased when the largest single mass of gold ever found was discovered in the mining village of Hill End in the northern Bathurst region in 1872. The Holtermann Nugget, as it is now known, was a 285kg pillar of quartz and gold, with the gold weighing in at 93.2kg and worth more than $5,000,000 by today’s standards.
Bathurst has only continued to grow, and its rich history and heritage architecture form a stunning backdrop for locals and visitors. But it’s not just history that draws people to this charming town; these days, one of the biggest drawcards is the fact that Bathurst is the home of Australian motorsport, hosting the largest V8 event of the year: the Bathurst 1000.
Bathurst’s recent triumphs
Last year was a fantastic period for the Bathurst region, and the area received a record number of accolades at the New South Wales Tourism Awards (a gold rush of the modern age, perhaps?).
- The Bathurst Visitor Information Centre: Gold award for Visitor Information Services
- The Bathurst Regional Council: Gold for Local Government Award for Tourism
- Wilga Station: Silver for Unique Accommodation
- Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail: Bronze in Festivals and Events
- Hopscotch Media: Bronze in Service to Tourism Industry
- Bathurst Winter Festival: Judges Choice Award
Attractions in Bathurst you can’t miss
Bathurst offers a fantastic and diverse range of experiences for all ages and interests.
One of the town’s most iconic features is the Mount Panorama Circuit, a must-do for motorsport enthusiasts. This famous racing track is a public road, meaning you can drive it for free. Take a leisurely spin around the circuit and head to the lookout at the summit for amazing views over the surrounding area. The Mount Panorama Racing Circuit is not only an essential part of Bathurst’s history but also offers a bucket list experience for anyone wanting to try their hand at one of the world’s most renowned racing tracks.
Bathurst is the home of Australian motorsport
History lovers will be in their element in Bathurst, and a visit to Abercrombie House is a must. Built in the 1870s, this grand Scottish baronial mansion offers a unique glimpse into the town’s past (tours are available). And make sure you take a walk around the heritage district in central Bathurst and explore Machattie Park and Kings Parade to see more of Bathurst’s heritage architecture.
Bathurst is also home to four fantastic museums, each one displaying a unique aspect of the region and its history: the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, National Motor Racing Museum, Bathurst Rail Museum and Chifley Home and Education Centre. The museums are open six days a week, and seven days during the school holidays over which they often run activities and workshops, great for anyone travelling with kids. And you get great value for money with the four-museum family pass.
Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum
For some, a firsthand experience with Bathurst’s gold rush history, then a gold panning tour with Jhob’s Gold Panning Tours and a visit to History Hill Museum & Underground Mine is a must.
If you love getting out into the great outdoors, then Mayfield Garden is a must-see during your visit to Bathurst. Covering 65 hectares, this sprawling water garden is ideal for a tranquil escape surrounded by nature. If you’ve got kids with you, then head over to Boundary Road Reserve on the edge of town for a popular walking trail to see kangaroos, then over to the Adventure playground to run off some excess energy.
Foodies will appreciate Bathurst’s many great cafes, restaurants, local wineries, breweries and distilleries, and the local markets are a great way to sample some ultra-fresh local produce.
Bathurst’s museums are a must-visit, especially if you’ve got kids with you
Explore the surrounding region
For those wanting to explore the surrounding region, here are two great day-trip itineraries you can incorporate into your trip.
Day trip to the south
- Take the short drive to Mayfield Garden
- Stop in at Bathurst Grange Distillery (walk-ins are permitted on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) or Winburndale Wines (walk-ins on Saturdays) for a tasting or tour. Alternatively, book in with one of the cool-climate wineries, such as Vale Creek Vineyard, Renzaglia Wines or Rock Forest Vineyard.
- Visit the historic village of Rockley and have lunch at the Rockley Pub owned by the renowned chef Matt Moran.
- Head on a bush walk at Evans Crown Nature Reserve
Day trip to the north
- Visit the historic gold mining villages of Sofala and Hill End
- Take a gold panning tour with Jhob’s Gold Panning Tours
- Visit History Hill Museum & Underground Mine
- Have lunch at the Hill End General Store and Cafe or Hill End Royal Hotel
Bathurst Rail Museum
Perfect road trips to Bathurst
If you’re heading to Bathurst from Sydney, there’s plenty to see and do along the way. Leaving from Sydney, we recommend heading through the Blue Mountains towards either Lithgow or Oberon, then continuing west to Bathurst. The Three Sisters Lookout and the Zig Zag Railway are some great detours along the way.
For those coming from the ACT, take the Barton Highway up towards Yass, Boorowa, Cowra then Bathurst. The Cowra Japanese Gardens are marvellous and make for a good rest stop before heading on to Bathurst.
Caravan-friendly stays in Bathurst
When it comes to caravan-friendly accommodation, Bathurst has options to suit all types of travellers.
If you want to stay close to the action:
- NRMA Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park: Located just off Sydney Road, this caravan park has accommodation options for all styles and budgets. There are powered sites, showers, toilets, swimming pool, putt putt, game room and is pet friendly.
- The Bathurst Showgrounds: Within walking distance of the CBD, the Bathurst Showgrounds offers powered sites, showers, toilets and is pet friendly.
If you’re looking for something a little more peaceful, head to Hill End Historic Site:
- The Village Campground: Located close by the historic village, this campground is caravan friendly with powered sites, toilets, showers, picnic tables, barbecue facilities and drinking water.
- Glendora Campground: This camp site is on the edge of Hill End and features more spacious sites, power, toilets, showers, picnic tables, barbecue facilities and drinking water.
There are plenty of places to camp in and around Bathurst (Image Henry Simmons)
Bathurst also has a ton of great caravan-friendly free camping areas. All the sites are listed online, and there’s a handy colour-coded camping guide to help you find the perfect spot. But here are some standouts to consider:
- Crossley Reserve aka ‘Sofala Bridge Campsite’: There are no amenities, but this campsite is located right across the river from the historic gold mining village of Sofala where you’ll find public toilets in the village centre. The campsite is caravan accessible — with riverside campsites — fires are permitted in established pits … and it is pet friendly. And of course, enjoy the nearby swimming holes.
- Flat Rock Picnic Area: This popular campground on Fish River is only 25 minutes south of Bathurst, close to the villages of O’Connell and Tarana. It has unpowered sites, drop toilets, an electric barbecue, picnic tables, is pet friendly and fires are allowed in established pits.
- Macquarie Woods Recreation Reserve: Situated in Vitoria State Forest, 20 minutes west of Bathurst (heading towards Orange), this campground has toilets, picnic tables, firepits, is pet friendly and has a popular disk golf course (BYO frisbee) that’s a great activity for the whole family.
Local’s guide to hidden gems
Getting recommendations from locals is one of the best ways to explore a town, and here are some favourite spots to visit and hidden gems that the team at Bathurst Visitor Information Centre put forward:
- Bridle Track: This track was the first road built between Bathurst and Hill End during the gold rush, and it has become a hotspot for outdoor enthusiasts. There are 13 free campsites along the Macquarie-Wambuul River, however the access track is not caravan-friendly, so the team recommends staying at the campsites in Hill End and exploring Bridle Track by 4x4 during the day (with your van left back at camp). The track has been popular among 4x4 drivers and occasionally for multi-day hikers and gravel cyclists.
- Green Point and Crossley Reserve free camps: These two free camps are favourites among the team, loved for their stunning natural surrounds, stargazing, gold panning and swimming.
“I personally go out every year to watch the Geminids meteor shower in December at one of these campgrounds, where there is plenty of space, clear flowing water and some stunning dark skies,” said Kyle Johnston, Bathurst Tourism Manager.
Camping along the Bridle Track (Image Henry Simmons)
Best time of year to visit Bathurst
Bathurst is beautiful year-round, and there’s something special about each season. Autumn is considered a bit of a hidden gem as far as the best time of year to visit, when the poplars, elms and maple trees that line the country roads and CBD transform into a vibrant patchwork of red, gold and orange leaves. The weather is the ideal not too hot, not too cold, making it perfect for outdoor activities.
“Seasonal mushroom foraging for gourmet pine mushrooms is quickly becoming a popular activity in Bathurst and the surrounding regions. If you have never been before booking on for a tour with an experienced forager such as Simmo’s Offroad Tours is advisable,” said Kyle. “The cooler mornings are great for cycling, walking or running by the river or simply sitting back at a local cafe to enjoy a hot coffee. Bathurst has a great cafe scene with plenty of options to choose from.”
Summer is ideal for outdoor activities like camping by the Macquarie-Wambuul and Turon Rivers where you can set up camp in one of the free reserves. Bring your gear for swimming, fishing, gold panning and nights by the campfire. Chifley Dam is open in summer for water sports and Bathurst’s four museums are open seven days a week during the school holidays — perfect for escaping from the heat during the middle of the day.
Winters can get very cold in Bathurst, with the average temperature ranging between 2 and 13 degrees Celsius. But don’t let that deter you, and if you enjoy winter vibes the two weeks during the Bathurst Winter Festival are a great time to visit (more on this below). Winter is a great time to enjoy a scenic drive out to the regional villages and settle in by the fire at one of the charming country pubs. The region generally experiences one or two snows each year, with the snow settling in higher areas around Yetholme and Macquarie Woods as well as in surrounding regions (Oberon and Orange). Experiencing the region on a snow day is absolutely magical, so keep an eye on Mayfield Garden’s social media as this 65-hectare garden is often high enough to get a good layer.
And once the chill ebbs, spring brings with it a colourful array of flowers throughout the towns, beautiful gardens and national parks. Throughout spring there are a range of flower and garden festivals in the region, including the Bathurst Spring Spectacular and Daffodils at Rydal. And the flowers aren’t the only ones putting the pedal to the metal — spring is racing season in Bathurst, with the Bathurst 1000 held every October.
Bathurst 1000
Upcoming events
- Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail (12–13 April 2025): Held over the first weekend of the school holidays, the Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail is a celebration of the skills and trades that built this region of NSW and the artisans who continue to keep the crafts alive. Tickets are necessary, and children under 16 can enter for free with a paying adult.
Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail always a good event to attend
- Bathurst 6 Hour Races (18–20 April 2025): Head to Bathurst for the Easter long weekend for the opportunity to watch some fantastic racing. More information is available online.
- Bathurst Winter Festival (5–20 July 2025): This festival is an absolute must for anyone visiting Bathurst during winter. The centre of town embraces the winter festivities, with an open-air ice rink, Ferris wheel and old-fashioned carousel all in central locations. And over the course of the two week festival there are all sorts of workshops and school holiday activities to keep the kids entertained. Night markets are held on the first two weekends, with live entertainment and light displays. Head to the festival website for the full program.
Celebrate the beauty of winter at the Bathurst Winter Festival in July
Put it on your list
Bathurst is a town full of surprises, offering a perfect blend of history, natural beauty and outdoor adventures. With so much to see and do, this New South Wales gem should definitely be on your travel list this year.
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