Regional Road Trip
Plan a road trip through the Central West’s best known family friendly attractions these school holidays for an unforgettable adventure exploring the uniqueness of inland regional NSW.
Getting here
Bathurst is an easily accessible drive from major cities, Sydney, Newcastle and Canberra. Our central location in regional NSW makes it the perfect base to explore further and discover the amazing landscapes and attractions throughout the Central West that will delight the whole family.
Your ideal itinerary
Day One
Watch the views change from city streets, to mountain vistas and then wide open plains as you commence your regional road trip!
Kick off your trip in style with a world of affordable fun and excitement at the highly anticipated Bathurst Winter Festival. With as little as $5, you can hop on thrilling carnival rides, glide on the outdoor ice rink or completely lose yourself in the mind-bending Kaleidoscope mirror maze for just $12. Make the most of your trip and enjoy Brew & Bite on Friday 7 July and be treated to over 65 free activities, entertainment, installations, performances and acts, supported by slow cooked meats and delicious regional brews.
As night falls, the Bathurst cityscape will be transformed into a breathtaking display of colour and lights. Buildings will shine in stunning hues, creating a mesmerising ambiance. While strolling through the streets, visitors can unleash their inner gamer with an interactive multi-player arcade game hung along Court House Lane. It’s a true delight for gaming enthusiasts of all ages.
Day Two
Awaken bright and early, grab a coffee and treat from a local favourite and hit the road to the Dubbo Region. Less than 2 hours drive from Bathurst is the charming town of Wellington – home to the astounding Wellington Caves and the expansive Burrendong Arboretum and Botanic Garden.
After you discover the underground, stop in town for a replenishing (and tasty) lunch and burn off some energy at the playground in Cameron Park, before you continue on to Dubbo. Head back in time for an afternoon stroll at the heritage listed Old Dubbo Gaol – or for the bravest visitors, take a twilight or night tour and experience the Gaol at its eerie best!
Day Three
Time for an unforgettable safari adventure at Taronga Western Plains Zoo! See hundreds of rare and endangered animals exploring by car, on foot or ride around on hired bikes or carts. Don’t miss the new Wildlife Hospital where you can discover first-hand how the Zoo’s expert team heals the wild. Be sure to see the King of the Jungle at the amazing Lion Pride Lands precinct or make a splash and hire a pedal boat to explore the Savannah Lake, home to the Spider Monkeys and Lemurs. After your wild zoo adventure, spend your afternoon deep in the rich history of the beloved Flying Doctor at the immersive Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Experience.
Top tip: Looking for a great time AND great value? What if you could buy one ticket, in one transaction that gave you entry to four unforgettable experiences? Holidays should be enjoyable, so turn off the stress and dial up the fun with the Dubbo Region Great Big Adventure Pass! The Great Big Adventure Pass is a multi-ticket to Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Old Dubbo Gaol, the Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Experience and the Wellington Caves – and best of all the Pass gets you 20% off your entry to all four attractions!
Day Four
As you make your way home, don’t forget to do a hot lap around Mount Panorama/ Wahluu, visit the National Motor Racing Museum and get up close to forgotten Fossils at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. The best part – show your Dubbo Region Great Big Adventure Pass and receive 10% off your entry!
And if you’re still hungry for more, skip back through the winter festival and celebrate artistic and cultural diversity with sculptures standing, hanging and hidden through Machattie Park.
As you make your way out of the mountains and back into the city, share your Regional Road Trip with us by tagging @BathurstWinterFestival and @DubboCity on Instagram and #WinterRegionalRoadTrip and go in the draw to win a thank you pack from Dubbo and Bathurst!
Looking for more inspo for your Regional Road Trip?
Follow along on our socials
Ever wanted to ride in a Cobb & Co Coach? Now’s your chance! 🐎
Head to the Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail and experience the thrill of travel the old-fashioned way - bumpy, bold and full of history!
11 - 12 April 2026, 10am - 4pm
📍Bathurst Showgrounds
#visitbathurst #otherwaysoutwest #bathurstheritagetradestrail #bathurstbucketlist #stepbeyond
Happy Easter from Bathurst 🐇 Whether you’re enjoying the outdoors, exploring our beautiful region or simply taking time to relax, we hope your Easter is a happy and safe one.
#stepbeyond #visitbathurst #otherwaystothewest #easter
Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail™
Celebrate Bathurst’s rich history with a weekend showcasing rare and traditional trades. Watch skilled artisans demonstrate crafts such as blacksmithing, saddlery, dry stone walling, lace making, carpentry, violin making and more.
Experience traditional Aboriginal tool and weapon making, whip cracking, glass artistry and other heritage skills that helped shape our region.
Plus, take a ride on an authentic restored Cobb & Co Coach!
Bring the family along and step back in time at this unique heritage event.
Head to our bio and click the link “other ways to the west” for resources on travel routes.
📍 Bathurst Showground
11–12 April 2026
10am – 4pm daily
#visitbathurst #otherwaystothewest #bathurstheritagetradestrail #stepbeyond
New Digital Kiosk Now Live at the Visitor Information Centre
Travelling through Bathurst? We’ve made it easier to stay informed on the road.
A new touchscreen digital kiosk is now available at the Visitor Information Centre, helping to provide up-to-date travel information for your trip.
#visitbathurst #otherwaystothewest #NSWroads #stepbeyond
🚨 PUBLIC NOTICE – MACHATTIE PARK 🚨
Residents are advised that an elephant has been spotted roaming Machattie Park this morning. Witnesses report the large visitor was seen strolling near the pathways and helping itself to the duck pond’s bamboo.
While it appears calm, the public is urged to:
• Keep a safe distance
• Avoid approaching for photos or pats
• Secure any snacks, lunches or picnics
The situation is currently being monitored.
Planning a trip to Bathurst? 🚗🚆🍂🍁
Museums Bathurst have put together some fantastic resources to help you with your plans - whether you’re taking the detours or hopping on the train.
Discover Other Ways to the West and make the journey part of the adventure - check out the resources link in our bio
#otherwaysoutwest #visitbathurst #stepbeyond #autumn
A detour is currently in place on the Great Western Highway following the closure of Victoria Pass in both directions - but don’t let that halt your road-trip adventure as there are Other Ways to the West. The region is still very much open for business, and there are some genuinely spectacular ways to get here.
#visitbathurst #otherwaystothewest #bathurst #stepbeyond
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Will we see you at this year’s @bathurstheritagetradestrail?
Discover stories that built our region and uncover the fascinating lost trades of years gone by!
📍Bathurst Showgrounds
11-12 April 2026
Book Now via the link in our bio 🔗
#visitbathurst #bathurst #bathurstheritagetradestrail #losttrades
A very warm welcome to Bathurst @drivecomau
We hope you love discovering all the special sights and experiences our region has to offer - we can’t wait to see @krissmith13 bring it all to life when the segment airs next month on @channel9 🚘
@museums_bathurst
#visitbathurst #bathurst #affmm #drive #channel9