12 Best Things to Do in Bathurst, Orange and Beyond: A Guide to NSW’s Central West

If you’re looking for a quiet country escape in New South Wales Australia, the Central Tablelands region is hard to beat. Rolling green hills, award winning wineries, delicious produce and passionate local providers make this inland region well worth the road trip. Just 3 hours drive from Sydney, it’s the perfect spot for a weekend escape or a wholesome addition to any New South Wales itinerary. 

With so many unique activities to try in this big-sky country from fly fishing and offgrid luxury stays, distillery tours to truffle hunting we have curated our list of the 12 best things to do in Bathurst and beyond to make your trip to the tablelands one to remember.

Overview – 12 things to do in Bathurst, Orange and beyond

  1. Tour a heritage house
  2. Unwind with an offgrid luxury stay 
  3. Sip on award winning whiskey and gin
  4. Experience a truffle hunt
  5. Try a paddle of award winning local beers
  6. Have a feed at Matt Moran’s pub
  7. Learn to fly fish among the vineyards
  8. Take in the views from the top of Gaanha-bula (Mount Canobolas)
  9. Tour one of the largest gardens in the southern hemisphere
  10. Stay at a restored heritage estate
  11. Stop by the winery cellar doors
  12. Indulge in unique dining experiences

Tour a heritage house

Built in the 1870s by the Stewart family who were Bathurst pioneers, Abercrombie House is a heritage gem just west of Bathurst, offering a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of these 19th century Australians. 

The unique thing about Bathurst house is that it’s still loved and lived in by the Morgan family who generously open its doors to the public for tours and who have spent the last 50 years restoring the grand home and surrounding grounds. 

This family home is open to the public all year round and you can buy tickets on arrival to explore the house and grounds – this is one of the most popular things to do in Bathurst!

Abercrombie House. This is one of the best things to do in Bathurst!
Aerial View of a 1870's colonial house in Bathurst Australia
young couple walks casually towards the camera in front of an 1870's colonial home

Unwind with an offgrid luxury stay 

There are a number of stunning accommodation options in the Central West region and we’re not talking about hotels! These bespoke, offgrid properties are the definition of understated luxury. 

Wilga Station – Bathurst 

Wilga Station is a 260-acre working sheep farm that’s been home to the Keith family for three generations. You can choose to stay in their lovingly restored Shearer’s Hall which is perfect for families and groups, or for a couples escape to remember we can’t recommend the Farmer’s Hut more. 

Waking up to fog rolling in over the valley, watching sheep outside your window, toasting marshmallows by the lake – it doesn’t get much more tranquil. If you have the time, the farm tour and bush breakfast with the station’s passionate owner Hamish is an educational and insightful glimpse into life on a working station. 

Sunrise light paints the side of a wooden clad tiny home at wilga station
A woman in a dressing gown walks towards a lone tree in misty morning light
A young man relaxing in a glass windowed alcove reading a book inside the Wilga Station tiny home in bathurst

Basalt – Orange

Another beautiful accommodation located just outside of Orange is Basalt. There are 3 stunning studios to choose from, each with their own unique identity and all located on the top block of the owner’s cherry orchard which overlooks the Central Tablelands. 

Whether you choose to reach a book by the indoor fire, relax in the gorgeous bathtub or have a wine by the fire pit, you really can’t go wrong at this gorgeous property.  

A young couple walks down the terraced garden stairs from their luxury accomodation. The garden is lush
Large folding windows above a large bathtub open out to a picteresque view of sprawling valleys.
A man tends to a fire inside a stylish indoor fire pit

Sip on award winning whiskey and gin

You may not expect to try world award winning Australian whiskey and gins in Bathurst but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Bathurst Grange, located on a state heritage farm just outside of Bathurst. Head into their distillery and have a tasting accompanied by local produce at this family owned farm – this is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Bathurst. 

A young woman carrying a tray of Gin and tonics walks towards the camera. The building behind her is rustic and clad with corrugated iron
soft light through a window illuminates a tasting palette of 3 whisky glasses.
Whisky swirls around inside a glass as it is held up in front of the Bathurst Grange Distillery

Experience a truffle hunt

Tick off this bucket list experience at RedGround, a truffle farm nestled in the high country of Oberon. Whether you visit in summer for their twilight truffle hunts or in winter for their morning experience this is one for the memory books! 

Owners Jill and Neil are so passionate about what they do and their energy is infectious, digging up your own truffles found by their adorable dog Sarge before sprinkling it on your own home made pizzas is an unforgettable way to spend time in the region.

A young woman in overalls and high boots walks between a row of trees. In the background can be seen a truffle hunting dog and their handler
Under the supervision of a truffle hunting dog a young man uses a small pick to dig up a truffle beneath a juvenile tree
A young man holds a large round truffle up towards the camera in his other hand are more truffles

Try a paddle of award winning local beers

You can’t go to Bathurst without stopping in for a beer at Reckless Brewing Co. This place is a local institution that pumps out some seriously good craft beers all made locally in Bathurst in a heritage-listed ex-flour mill. 

You can choose a selection of favourites in a tasting paddle and sit out in their beer garden or inside the bar and if you’re there on the weekend don’t miss their live music on Sundays!

A young man enjoys a small glass of beer from a tasting paddle of 4 at Bathursts Reckless Brewing. in the centre of the table he sits on is some chicken wings and a pizza
Multiple cold beers of different colours sit lined up on 2 seperate tasting paddles.The beers sit on top of a bar and have been placed on spill matts that read. "the beer of Bathurst"

Have a feed at Matt Moran’s pub

In the small town of Rockley Australian celebrity chef Matt Moran has revived life back into its crown jewel – the Rockley Pub. Having grown up here on his family farm, Matt has taken the opportunity to reinvent this historical pub with a focus on local produce and pub classics. 

Stop in here for a parmi and a pint and have a yarn with the people who call this place home, you won’t be disappointed. 

Steel latice work frames a white sign with red writing that reads " The Rockley Pub "
A beautiful young woman sits candidly on a small picnic table in front of the Rockley Pub. On either side of her are some flowers hanging up. She holds a beer up to the camera.

Learn to fly fish among the vineyards

It’s not every day you get the opportunity to learn to fly fish, let alone surrounded by rolling vineyards with a sparkling wine in hand but that’s exactly what you’ll do when you visit Printhie Wines. 

Learn the art of fly fishing with a private lesson at their trout-stocked lake before rewarding your hard work with a degustation lunch at their five star winery up the hill. This is the perfect way to spend a day appreciating all the facets of the central west region in one place. 

Various fly fishing associated items sit next to a bottle of sparkling wine on top of a wine barrel next to a dam
A man casts a fly fishing rod into a large body of water in front of two deck chairs. Behind him is a wine barrel which on top of sits a bottle of sparkling wine and 2 glasses.
A Man in waterproof wading equipment poses candidly with his small brown flufy dog

Take in the views from the top of Gaanha-bula (Mount Canobolas)

The 1395 metre high peak of Gaanha-bula (Mount Canobolas) dominates the landscape around Orange and is culturally significant to the local Wiradjuri people. From the summit, visitors are treated to expansive views of the surrounding region from the town of Orange, to vineyards and farmland. 

The mountain is a popular spot for hikers with walking tracks leading to the top but if you’re not up for a hike then the panoramic lookout at the summit can also be accessed by car. 

Tour one of the largest gardens in the southern hemisphere

Mayfield Garden in Oberon is a must visit during your time in the Central West region. From Australia’s largest private box hedge maze to the stunning water gardens filled with lilies, there is so much to explore here. 

At 65 hectares this place is massive, so allow yourself plenty of time to walk through the European Inspired gardens. Don’t forget to book in their picnic experience here too – there’s something seriously magical about a picnic amongst the foliage! 

Areial view of a lush maze surrounded by green fields of grass
a woman walks way from the camera towards a scenic picnic. A man is seated at the picnic and holds up a glass of wine for her.
A bountiful picnic hamper including cheese fruit meats and seafood as well as brownies and a bottle of wine
A Man runs between the ends of a very large ovoid landscape sculpture.

Stay at a restored heritage estate

If you looked up the definition of quaint you would find Essington Park, a charmingly restored heritage Schoolhouse and Shearer’s Quarters turned accommodation just outside of Oberon. 

Live out your cottage-core dreams here in their cozy sitting room, rustic kitchen, veggie patch and outdoor fire pit or relax in your room’s claw footed bath with a good book. The owner Simmone is an incredible cook and you can choose to line up your stay with one of her intimate cooking workshops.

an aerial photo of a stylish young couple sitting around a fire in the morning light amongst old tin roofed buildings
A quaint breakfast scene in an heritage style kitchen
A stylish young couple roast marshmallows around a fire pit. Behind them are heritage tin roofed buildingd
a old white wooden door with the number 2 on it sits closed next to a coast hangar. On the coat hanger is an old style horse riding jacket and and rabbit felt hat. on the floor are a pair of clasic australian riding boots

 

Stop by the winery cellar doors

Visiting a few cellar doors is an essential thing to do in Bathurst, Orange and surrounds – this region is known for its incredible wines and it would be rude not to give them a try! Here’s a few to add to your tour: 

Philip Shaw Wines – One of the pioneers of this wine region, try their wines in a restored stone barn

Ross Hill Wines – Australia’s only carbon neutral winery and vineyard 

Printhie Wines – A host of experiences beyond the cellar door await here, from fly fishing to degustation lunches and helicopter rides

Heifer Station – Friendly alpacas and highland cows wait for you at this winery (need we say more!) with their beautiful cellar door in an old woolshed

A young man spoons dressing over a plate of freshly shucked oysters.
A stylish concrete wall cuts through half the scene. a sign on the wall reads. "DINNING". on the other half people can be seen out of focus
Lush green vineyards spread out across the distance

Indulge in unique dining experiences

A perfect way to end your days in the Central West is with a visit to one of the region’s restaurants, where local produce is brought to the fore and heritage buildings provide the backdrop. We’ve listed a few of our favourites below: 

The Union Bank Hotel

Set in a commanding 165 year old bank in the town of Orange, the Union Bank Hotel serves up delicious modern Australian meals in their courtyard and restaurant. 

multiple pendant lights hang low from the white painted lofted wooden roof roof of a cozy restaurant
A girl walks candidly down a walkway in between perfectly manicured small hedges and old brick walls

Bootleg Dining

Bootleg Dining is a Bathurst favourite, where premium produce is served in a beautiful heritage setting. Their sourdough bread baked in-house is not to be missed! 

A Girl holds a glass of wine out towards the camera across a restaurant table. Bread and cheese fill the table
Succulent cut of charcoal roasted chicken.

Church Bar

In the old Anglican Church School House of Bathurst you can find Church Bar, cooking up delicious wood fired pizzas and mixing drinks in this stunning heritage building. This is a great spot for a casual lunch or dinner whether you pull up a pew inside or opt for their secluded courtyard.

A young woman poses with a drink in front of an old heritage style building. The table that she sits at has 2 different types of pizza and a salad
A young man hold a cold glass of beer up near his face. Behind him is an old heritage style building. The table that he sits at has 2 different types of pizza and a salad

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