7 minute read
Squeezing the last drops out of your summer with a visit to Bathurst?
Beat the heat with our top 10 coolest things to do in February.
From action-packed events, to live music, to exploring our historic villages, a delicious food and wine scene, boutique accommodation, and stunning scenery, there’s plenty here to top off your summer holiday in style.
1. Inland Sea of Sound
Held from 23 – 28 February, Inland Sea of Sound festival is an iconic event to cap off a Bathurst summer with a stellar lineup of local and national artists, headlined by master soul artist, C.W. Stoneking and Aussie vocal queen, Kate Ceberano.
This year’s event takes the COVID-safe form of an intimate series of concerts held in open heritage spaces throughout the Bathurst CBD and at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre city hall.
Tickets are on sale now via the Inland Sea of Sound official website.
2. Repco Mount Panorama 500
If motor racing is more your speed, get to the season opener for the 2021 Supercars Championship at the spiritual home of Australian motorsport, Mount Panorama.
Held from 26 – 28 February, tickets are now available for COVID-safe seating in the grandstand along the straight, and at designated seating points along the racetrack, as well as for camping.
Visit the Supercars website for more details.
3. Visit a Village
The Bathurst region boasts several charming and picturesque villages that each make a fascinating day trip.
To the north, meander through Peel, Wattle Flat, Sofala, and Hill End. To the east, explore Yetholme, Sunny Corner, O’Connell, Mayfield, and Tarana. And to the south, check out Perthville, Rockley, Trunkey Creek, and Abercrombie Caves.
Each of the villages has its own unique attractions to experience, including ancient Wiradjuri culture, gold rush history, art, stunning scenery, heritage architecture, and cool climate wineries.
Click here to plan your village adventure.
4. To market, to market
There are regular farmers’ markets held in Bathurst and surrounds where you can purchase farm-fresh local and regional produce like fruit, vegetables, wines, meat, cheese, bread, olive oil, preserves, coffee, and more.
Drooling yet? Bathurst Farmers’ Markets are held on the fourth Saturday of every month from 8 am at the Bathurst Showground. The Bathurst Wholefood Cooperative Mini-Markets are held on the first Saturday of every month in Macquarie Plaza from 9 am, and the Tarana Community Farmers’ Markets are held on the fourth Sunday of every month at the Tarana Rural Fire Service Shed from 8 am.
Check the events calendar on our website for dates and details of upcoming Farmers’ Markets in the region.
5. Swimming and fishing
Cool off at the Manning Aquatic Centre, with kids play pool and whirlpool indoors, and a 50-meter lap pool outdoors with a shaded, grassed area, picnic tables, and grandstand.
Chifley Dam is great for watersports and fishing, just be sure to check the algae alert status on Bathurst Regional Council’s website before you go. Red alert status means there are no recreational activities allowed at the dam.
There are a number of swimming holes popular with locals around the region, like Flat Rock along the Fish River toward Tarana, and Ration Point just outside Sofala. Get directions to these secret spots on our website.
6. Beat the heat indoors at a Museum
The museums of Bathurst each have a fascinating story to tell about our region, whether it’s of the legends of motorsport at the National Motor Racing Museum, the wonders of geology and the Earth’s creation at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, or the rich social history of our industrial past brought to life at the Bathurst Rail Museum.
Explore unique and extraordinary collections through tours, learning programs and continually evolving exhibitions and events that will keep the whole family entertained for hours.
7. Visit a winery
One of Bathurst’s best-kept secrets is the quality of its cool climate wines. Our local vineyards are small-batch, family-run businesses where you’ll meet the makers and hear the inspiring stories of how they came to be producing the wines of Bathurst.
Wine tastings are best to be arranged by appointment with the cellar door to ensure a truly personalised, exclusive experience. Explore of all the wineries, distilleries, breweries, and restaurants, and bars where you can taste some of the region’s best drops.
8. Go on a 4WD adventure tour
Go off-road to see the hidden parts of our region rarely visited by those who don’t wander far off the beaten track. Detour Adventures will take you on half or full-day tours to the Jenolan area, mushroom foraging tours, gold rush and fossicking tours, and Wiradyuri Ngurambang cultural tours. Or create a custom tour tailored to your interests.
You can even tag along in your own 4WD if you’re looking for someone to show you the ropes.
9. Watch the sunset with a view
View chasers are in for a special treat on their visit to Bathurst. The newly installed Mount Panorama skyline boardwalk is a must to watch the sunset over the plains of Bathurst
Merlin’s Lookout at Hill End or Evan’s Crown Nature Reserve at Tarana are also local picks. Explore our website for more ideas on where to watch the sun go down after a day’s adventures.
10. Stay somewhere special
Whether you’re staying for a night or a week, the Bathurst region has some truly unique accommodation options. Stay in heritage buildings converted for modern-day luxuries, a hotel room overlooking Conrod Straight, or cozy up by a log fire in secluded self-contained accommodation.
Find the perfect place to dream away on our website. You’ll feel so at home, you won’t want to leave!
