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!
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Bathurst Fernery. Built in 1890, it is one of the oldest standing structures in Machattie Park and has remained relatively unchanged externally.
On the front entrance to the fernery you will find a plaque dedicated to Charles Darwin’s visit to Bathurst in 1836, and on the inside several marble statues that were originally loaned by the National Art Gallery, Sydney in 1901.
#visitbathurst #stepbeyond #bathurst #spring
🌸 This spring, plan a Girls’ Getaway to Bathurst! 🌸
Head to our Besties & Blossoms link in bio and indulge in a fabulous selection of special offers, perfect for a spring escape.
Image 📸 @sharynsemmens
#visitbathurst #spring #bathurst #bestiesandblossoms
WIN ONE OF TWO ULTIMATE BATHURST 1000 PRIZE PACKS!🏁
The countdown to the Repco Bathurst 1000 is on, and Visit Bathurst is giving two lucky winners the chance to experience the Great Race in a big way.
Each winner will receive:
4 x Four-Day Repco Bathurst 1000 passes
+ a Supercars merchandise pack
To enter:
Follow @visitbathurst
Follow @bathurst_council
Comment below and tell us: Who would you take to the Great Race and why?
Two winners will be drawn at random.
Competition closes: Friday 2 October, 4.30pm
Winners drawn: Friday 2 October 2026
SCAM WARNING: Winners will only be contacted by the official Visit Bathurst account. Visit Bathurst will never ask for payment, credit card details or banking information to claim a prize. Please report any copycat accounts or suspicious messages or comments below claiming you have won.
Is this your vibe? 🌸
#visitbathurst #stepbeyond #schoolholidays #spring
Don’t pack up on Monday! ⛺️ Stay one more night for Lap 162: The Great Race Cool Down, a night of live music in the heart of Bathurst CBD on Monday 12 October, and the closing event for this year’s Repco Bathurst 1000 Race Week festivities.
Featuring
🎸 The Angels (Official) @theangelsbandofficial
🎸 Choirboys @choirboysofficial
With local support acts
🎤 AMFA - And Metallica For All (Metallica Tribute) @amfa_and_metallica_for_all
🎤 Set Fire To This Town (Cold Chisel/Jimmy Barnes Tribute)
@setfiretothistown
⏰ 3:45pm
📅 Monday 12 October
📍 Kings Parade Precinct
🎟️ FREE EVENT. All ages. Alcohol free.
🔗 More info link in bio
Proudly funded by the @nswgov Supported by HDT.
Book your family stay this spring and wake up to another day of adventures!
#visitbathurst #stepbeyond #spring #bathurst #familytime
As Bathurst awakens from winter, we can’t wait to welcome you for the spring school holidays 🌸
#bathurst #visitbathurst #stepbeyond #spring #schoolholidays
Come see us this spring! 🌸 #visitbathurst
#bathurst #stepbeyond #spring
Repco Bathurst 1000 Circuit Closures 🏁
The Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit will be closed from approximately 6am on Saturday 3 October to 2pm Monday 12 October 2026, to control the movement of spectators:
(a) Mountain Straight – just above the entrance to the Paddock Camping Area.
(b) Conrod Straight – just above Murray’s Corner.
Persons wishing to gain access to the Track should enter via Panorama Avenue and Pit Straight.
Admission gates commence operations from approximately 7am on Thursday 8 October until Sunday 11 October 2026.