This was published 2 years ago
Bathurst, NSW, travel guide and things to do: Nine highlights
Bishop's Court Estate: a rare jewel.
THE ONE HOTEL
At Bishop's Court Estate, interior designer Christine Le Fevre has created a rare jewel, converting a former bishop's mansion into a gorgeous six-suite retreat. Enjoy the complimentary chocolates and port in your room or curl up with a book on a shaded verandah or by the fireplace in the lounge. Special occasion? Let Le Fevre organise a memorable dinner in the property's former 1908 chapel. See bishopscourtestate.com.au
THE ONE WINE BAR
Grab a table in Vine & Tap's atmospheric courtyard and feast on a tempting range of "spuntini" (Italian for snacks). Start with wild mushroom arancini with truffle mayo, move onto homemade potato gnocchi with Italian sausage and finish with a hearty serving of beef brisket meatballs. There's an impressive selection of local and imported wines and remember to leave room for the divine ricotta pastry with hazelnut praline. See vineandtap.com.au
THE ONE CAFE
Not only does Doppio Espresso serve first rate coffee made using beans roasted onsite in a recycled shipping container, but it's also the buzzy social hub of the revitalised Tremain's Mill precinct. Formerly a 19th-century flour mill, this heritage-listed development of towering silos and old brick factories is now a funky cultural district with regular events and a cluster of cool businesses including a pizzeria and the craft beer-serving Victorian pub. See tremainsmill.com
THE ONE MUSEUM
On paper, a museum containing more than 5000 fossils and minerals doesn't scream riveting. But the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum is a revelation. Showcasing the life's work of avid collector Warren Somerville, it displays a dazzling array of rare minerals and crystals, plus fossilised dinosaur eggs and critters eerily preserved in amber. For kids, the highlight will be Australia's most complete tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, which towers menacingly over the displays. See museumsbathurst.com.au
THE ONE ATTRACTION
Kids not impressed with a 4.5-metre-high T-rex? Don't worry, you've got another trick up your sleeve – the recently-opened Bathurst Rail Museum. This award-winning complex contains Australia's largest public model railway and the world's biggest permanent Brio play set. Showing how instrumental rail was in the development of central NSW, it's full of fascinating stories, including that of local railwayman and eventual prime minister, Ben Chifley. See museumsbathurst.com.au
THE ONE DRIVE
As the venue for one of Australia's classic motorsport endurance races, the Bathurst 1000, Mount Panorama is notable not just for its tight turns, steep ascents and negative cambers – it's also a regular public road. Drive a lap or two to appreciate just how technically testing the circuit is. However, don't go chasing the official lap record of 1:59:29 set by Christopher Mies in November 2018; the track has a strict 60 km/h speed limit. See mount-panorama.com.au
THE ONE SWIM SPOT
Looking for somewhere to cool off in the summer months? Located 20 minutes from the city, Chifley Dam is the main water catchment for Bathurst and a popular spot for swimming, fishing and water sports. Take a stroll along the concrete spillway then enjoy a barbecue picnic overlooking the lagoon. Kids will love the Bathurst Aqua Park, a floating inflatable obstacle course that claims to be the largest in Country NSW. See bathurstaquapark.com.au
THE ONE GARDEN
Yes, we know it's technically in Oberon but you'd be barmy to visit Bathurst and not make the 35-minute detour to Mayfield Garden. Owned by the Hawkins family, this stunning 65-hectare estate contains a montage of exquisitely manicured gardens. Highlights include a tranquil water garden, a secret grotto (complete with waterfall), a 15-metre-high obelisk and a Chinese pagoda. Trust us, you'll need a day to do it justice. See mayfieldgarden.com.au
THE ONE GALLERY
Notable for being NSW's first purpose-built regional gallery, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) has evolved into a dynamic, innovative space with paintings, sculptures and photographs by more than 400 Australian artists. Among the $8.5 million collection are significant pieces by Jean Bellette, John Olsen and Grace Cossington Smith. Be sure to peruse the gift shop for gorgeous handmade cards and ceramics by local artists. See bathurstart.com.au
ONE MORE THING
Download the "Bathurst – Step Beyond" app to access interactive tours of local attractions by well-known personalities. Take a lap of Mount Panorama with V8 Supercar champion Craig Lowndes, explore Mayfield Garden with green-fingered guru Graham Ross or learn about the city's imposing town square with Bathurst local Grant Denyer. Available free from the Apple Store or Google Play.
Rob McFarland was a guest of Central NSW Joint Organisation (visitcentralnsw.com.au).
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