Things to do in Bathurst

Travel less than three hours north-west of Sydney, and you'll uncover the diverse delights of Bathurst, a melting pot of rich history, iconic events and breathtaking adventure.

From spectacular natural wonders and quaint villages to aqua parks and ice-cream parlours, the things to do in Bathurst list is bursting with hidden gems just waiting to be explored.

An ideal destination for a not-too-far family holiday, a spontaneous short break or even a weekend getaway, our guide to the best things to do in Bathurst will make sure you don't miss a thing.

Things to do in Bathurst

1. Visit the Jenolan Caves

 

A trip to this spectacular region just an hour from Bathurst will reveal the treasures of the Jenolan Caves, Australia's largest and most spectacular caves.

Take a guided tour through the stunning labyrinth of limestone formations and marvel at the stalactite-encrusted walls and mesmerising underground rivers for a fascinating glimpse into nature's awe-inspiring underworld.

Location: 4655 Jenolan Caves Rd, Jenolan

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2. Splash at Bathurst Aqua Park

One of our favourite things to do in Bathurst during summer, the inflatable Bathurst Aqua Park is full of thrills and spills for kids and the perfect way to stay cool in the summer heat. The supersized action-packed obstacle course will be afloat on the popular Chifley Dam from mid-November. It is also an ideal spot for fishing, picnics and camping!

Location: Chifley Dam Rd, The Lagoon

3. Have a Barcoos Farm Experience

Just outside of Bathurst, Barcoos Farm is a hive of activity where the whole family can experience what it is really like on a working farm.

From feeding resident lambs, chickens and ducks to doing tricks with talented Georgie Pig, life on the land is full of surprises! Operated by the Hamer family for seven generations, Barcoos Farm is full of family adventure with pony rides, farm tours and tractor rides with Farmer Ken.

Location: 1080 Trunkey Rd, Perthville

4. Visit Annie's Ice Cream Parlour

With so many things to do in Bathurst, you will need a pitstop to recharge the batteries, and there is no better place to refuel than at Annie's Ice Cream Parlour.

This beloved, candy-hued haven has been serving its signature hand-crafted ice cream for over 25 years, plus there is a full breakfast and lunch menu and a stack of hot and cold desserts. Sweet!

Location: 82/86 George St, Bathurst

5. Go for a Play at Bathurst Adventure Playground

For good old-fashioned outdoor fun, the epic Bathurst Adventure Playground is the perfect place to burn some energy.

The state-of-the-art park was purposefully designed to stimulate imagination and encourage creativity in children of all abilities.

Bathurst Adventure Playground boasts a tonne of interactive features, including a dual flying fox, a stockyard maze, a play cubby house, a rock wall and musical deck notes, plus sound-activated dinosaur noises and dinosaur sculptures and footprints.

Location: Durham St & Hope Street, Bathurst

6. Soak up Some History at Hill End 

Be captivated by the heritage buildings and mine relics of historic Hill End.

A scenic one-hour drive from Bathurst, a day trip to the former gold town will unveil a charming, artistic village with a unique blend of history and culture. Learn about Australia’s booming gold rush and enjoy the beautiful architecture and landscapes.

To deep dive further into the gold rush days, visit the History Hill Museum & Underground Mine to feast your eyes on a huge display of artefacts and try your hand on Jhob's Gold Panning Tour.

Then get back to nature at Golden Gully. A short drive from Hill End, it offers a short, easy walking track where you can unearth old mine shafts, seek out ‘The Arch’ and stumble across an old cemetery.

Location: Hill End, NSW

7. Go Cherry-Picking

Fruit picking might just be one of our favourite things to do in Bathurst! It’s such a wholesome and satisfying thing to do: teaching children about the origins of the foods they love while giving you a bucketload of nature's candy straight from the source. Plus, it’s loads of fun.

A generous season of rain has ensured there is a bumper crop of cherries ripe for the picking in the Bathurst region, and there are plenty of orchards where you can pick your own this Spring. Take home a big box of the freshest local produce and enjoy the juicy, delicious goodness to your heart’s content.

Location: Farms across Bathurst

8. Visit Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum Housing

Australia's largest collection of fossils and minerals, the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum is a geology wonderland that showcases stunning specimens of our natural history at its most stunning.

With everything from glittering gemstones to a model T-Rex skeleton, step into the beautiful, historic former Bathurst Public School building to explore the extraordinary collection that tracks the evolution of our planet.

Also a part of the Museums Bathurst family, the Bathurst Rail Museum is a doozy for little train lovers! Recently opened in 2020 inside the converted Railway Institute Building, the museum lays claim to the largest public HO model railway in the Southern Hemisphere, plus personal recollections and interesting artefacts that document Bathurst's bygone glory as a railway town.

Location: 224 Howick St, Bathurst 

9. Explore Abercrombie House

A Scottish baronial mansion built in the 1870s, Abercrombie House is an Australian heritage treasure that offers tours, jazz, theatrical performances and a decadent high tea. The grand gem has a labyrinth of reception rooms, sweeping staircases, bedrooms and corridors to explore, plus gardens, paths and outbuildings.

The Classic High Tea experience happens on select dates throughout the year and serves up savouries and sweet treats, tasting plates, loose-leaf tea and plunger coffee, accompanied by elegant live music in the heritage ballroom.

Location: 311 Ophir Rd, Bathurst

10. Mount Panorama

A list of the best things to do in Bathurst just wouldn't be complete without adding a visit to the legendary Mount Panorama! 

There's a new Skyline Boardwalk overlooking Bathurst’s Mount Panorama, which gives visitors an extraordinary vantage point for a birdseye view of the awesome raceway. The spectacular vista from the 1.7-kilometre pedestrian path that runs across the top of the mountain is not to be missed.

Mount Panorama, a sacred Wiradjuri site, has picnic facilities and a playground and hosts special events throughout the year. The famous racing events run from 30 November to 6 December and include the V8 Supercars 2021 Championship finale. However, the Racing Circuit is actually a public road outside race periods, so you can drive around the iconic Mount!

Location: Mountain Straight, Mount Panorama

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