Bathurst in the Central Tablelands, Central West of NSW Australia.

Town Sites provide comprehensive information and links to -

Bathurst & Surrounds

- a great place to live and a great place to visit.

Tourist Information

The Bathurst Visitors' Centre is located at 1 Kendall Avenue, Bathurst NSW 2795

Phone: 02 6332 1444

Fax: 02 6332 2333

The centre has an old Cobb & Co coach on display, a 'Fossicking Guide for Bathurst and District' and information sheets detailing the picnic areas in town, a self-drive tour, the courthouse, Machattie Park and an historical walking tour.

Bathurst and its surrounding areas saw much of the beginnings of Australian colonial settlement - being, Australia's first inland settlement with Bathurst Australia's oldest inland city.

Once the explorers had conquered the mountains, Australia's future was ensured and so began the natural route to the west. Bathurst Plains had the best grass of all - "excellent good land", said George Evans. Now properties across the plains support cattle and sheep, and grow wheat, vegetables and fruit.

Surrounding areas were the home of some of the most illustrious names in Australia's gold history - Hill End, Tambaroora, Sofala, Hargraves & Junction Reefs. Some of these places have virtually vanished (Tambaroora, Hargraves) but others live on quietly, a few are protected as historic sites.

Bathurst located on the banks of the Macquarie River was proclaimed a town in 1815, then with the discovery of gold, it experienced rapid growth in the 1850s and '60s. Today one of Australia's fastest-growing modern regional cities it is just two and a half hours drive from Sydney at the junction of the Great Western, Mid Western and Mitchell Highways.

It is accessible by plane, train and automobile.

The finest of several grand buildings is the Victorian Renaissance Court House with an outlook to Kings Square and a statue honouring George Evans who was directed by Governor Macquarie in November 1813 to make an Official Survey of the area.

Of 'special' note is that Ben Chifley was born (1885) and raised in Bathurst. One of Australia’s most respected Prime Ministers he maintained his connections with the city until the end of his life.

From the youngest locomotive driver in the state Chifley entered parliament as the member for Macquarie (the local seat) in 1928. He was Prime Minister of Australia from 1945 to 1949 and from 1949 until his death in 1951 he was leader of the opposition.

He was buried at Bathurst.

As a tribute to him and his wife Elizabeth, Ben Chifley’s home is maintained by the city of Bathurst providing a glimpse of life during the first half of the 20th century.

Also, to commemorate this great man, the Bathurst branch of the Australian Labor Party hold an annual dinner, known as the 'Light on the Hill',

Motor racing was first developed in the area from around 1911 eventually establishing the

Mt Panorama Racing Circuit in 1938.

As home of the 'world famous' Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit, it is a must when visiting the city to 'do a lap' of the circuit and pay a visit to the National Motor Racing Museum.

In 1862 the Cobb & Co Coach made Bathurst its headquarters in NSW, providing much needed transport for the area.

A fully restored Cobb & Co.Coach is on permanent display at the Bathurst Visitor Information Centre.

The railway arrived in 1876, an extension of the western railway line from Lithgow to Bathurst opening up the Central West to the Sydney produce markets with a more reliable and faster method of transporting supplies.

However, this meant that the coaching industry declined.

Today Bathurst, with its wonderful mixture of historic and new, offers much for visitors to see and do.

With all the conveniences of a modern city there are bustling shopping centres, many conference facilities, first class accommodation and fine dining plus beautiful parks and sporting venues with international events.

Bathurst is considered a centre for excellence in education - and education has played its role in the development of Bathurst.

Being one of its main industries and one of the largest employers in the city there are many private and public schools, plus the campus of the Charles Sturt University and he Western Institute of TAFE.

Other industries vary from agriculture to manufacturing and food processing along with education, health, the Surveyor General's Department and the Correctional Centre.

Altogether they provide strong employment opportunities and economic growth for the citizens of Bathurst..

Throughout the year Bathurst has so much to offer -

The vivid colours and changes in the distinctive four seasons in Bathurst

Historic Walking Tour - taking in many of the historic areas and buildings of Australian colonial settlement

Self Drive Tour - covering further afield historic areas and buildings plus other points of interest around Bathurst.

Bushranging and gold-rush history

The old open cut mine at Mount Gray

Fossicking for semi-precious gemstones

Abercrombie Caves

Abercrombie House

Farmstays

Mount Panorama

Bre&d Weekend when Bathurst celebrates fine food, wine, and local talent.

Bathurst Regional Art Gallery

Bathurst Carillon and War Memorial, Kings Parade

The court house was completed in 1880 and is one of the best examples of 19th century public building architecture - it is still fully functional today.

Also in the square is the 35-bell Carillon dedicated as a war memorial, and the Boer War memorial.

Bathurst has superb examples of early 1800's architecture with an abundance of heritage buildings from the nineteenth and early twentieth century.

Civic structures, mansions, commercial buildings, terrace houses, cottages still remain.

Meadow Flat is a small village between Bathurst and Lithgow on the Great Western Highway.

Ben Chifley of Bathurst, former Australian Prime Minister

Ben Chifley House, 10 Busby Street, Bathurst

What to Do & See - Beautiful sights and places of interest, Activities - family & adventure activities, local historic areas and villages.

What's On - Entertainment, Events and Gig guide.

Where to Stay - Accommodation of all types - B & B's, Guest Houses, Motels, Hotels, Self contained, Romantic, Holiday cottages, Retreats, Farm Stays, Caravan Parks

Art & Culture -Art, Artists & Art Galleries,

Where to Shop - local businesses, shops

Where to Eat - Cafes, Coffee Shops, Restaurants, Bistros, Take-away

Community Groups, Sports Links, History & Transport,

Helpful information for moving to the area - Trades people & Service Industries, Real Estate, Home Loans, Finance, Healthcare...and more.

The surrounding areas to Bathurst were the home of some of the most illustrious names in Australia's gold history. Some are now protected historic sites, some quaint, some thriving today and all well worth a visit -

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