Seasoned traveller: an awesome autumn escape is just around the corner

A town that needs little introduction is Orange, one of the pre-eminent wine regions in the country. The Orange Farmers Market on the second Saturday of each month can get you started in an area complete with six wine trails, 40 cellar doors and outstanding local produce and dining.

Speaking of well-known stops, Parkes' place in Australian folklore was cemented in The Dish, the movie about the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope. Parkes also has some of the best gravel cycling trails in NSW with 20-120km loops to choose from, including the 55km loop to The Dish. Admission to the Discovery Centre is free and the café is a welcome break for lunch.

Head to the top of the mountains in Oberon and forage for mushrooms, hunt for truffles or fossick for sapphires and zircons. Enjoy the vibrant colours of Mayfield Garden, the largest cool climate garden in the southern hemisphere, and experience the wonders of the world-heritage-listed Jenolan Caves on a guided cave tour.

Art lovers will get a kick out of Sculptures down the Lachlan, a 100km stretch of artwork in Forbes from Lachlan Valley Way to Condobolin. While much of Central NSW is tree-packed hills and livestock-littered paddocks, Lake Forbes and the Lachlan River allow you to throw a line out or relax with a waterside picnic as abundant birdlife entertains.

In Condobolin itself, it doesn't get more Australian than the Utes in the Paddock outdoor exhibition. A Bundaberg Rum bottle, a jar of Vegemite, even a take on the Australian coat of arms are all on display in this uproarious landmark by a range of prominent Australian artists. Don't miss it. A beautiful spot to picnic, fish and birdwatch nearby is Gum Bend Lake and Lake Cargelligo further west.

Another opportunity to step back in time and immerse yourself in true Australian country life exists in Grenfell, flanked by the Weddin Mountain National Park. Wallabies, echidnas and a wide array of bird life can be spotted here or learn about the gold-mining history and enjoy the outlook from O'Brien's Mine. Dotted with historic buildings, Grenfell was the birthplace of poet Henry Lawson in 1867, with a number of sites celebrating his life.

A carnival of culture

If a stroll around a beautiful garden appeals, the Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre is a must with its Bonsho Bell, a traditional Edo Cottage, authentic open-air Tea House and Bonsai House. The site of a historic Japanese prisoner breakout during World War II, many attractions are dedicated to war time.

Visit in May for the month-long Autumn festival, called Koyo Matsuri, with demonstrations, performances and workshops.

If you want to add some extra spectacle and wonder to your trip, Lithgow in the Seven Valleys offers just that. With a festival in May known as Lithglow (May 13), it features a fireworks display over the Lithgow Blast Furnace, live music, food trucks, roving entertainment and a spectacular lighting display. And it's free, no tickets required. There is also enough natural beauty and bushwalking options to satiate the keenest explorer in the region known as Seven Valleys (in reality, there are many more than seven!).

Central NSW offers a variety of places to stay from boutique hotels and motels to camping and B&Bs. Autumn is the best season to enjoy the region's arts, culture, history, food and wine.

Where will you visit first? Go to visitcentralnsw.com.au.