Bathurst's history began with the crossing of the Blue Mountains by Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson in 1813, though it was G.W. Evans who crossed the main range and, named the Macquarie River on the Western Plains, camping on the site that is now Bathurst. Governor Macquarie travelled from Sydney in 1815 and named Bathurst in honour of Henry Bathurst, the Secretary for the Colonies 1812 to 1827.

Progress of the town was slow until after 1851, when gold was discovered at Summer Hill Creek. News of the discovery brought thousands of prospectors and bushrangers, and the town grew rapidly in the 1850s and 1860s, becoming the headquarters for the famous Cobb and Co. Coach Company.

The focal point of the town today is the impressive Court House Complex, behind which is the beautiful Machattie Park, which was established on the original site of Bathurst Gaol. The present Gaol, with a magnificent sandstone entrance, was built in 1888. Other attractions of Bathurst include the Bathurst Gold Diggings, and Bathurst's Mount Panorama, the location of the annual "Tooheys 1000" held every October.

Overview

Bathurst is a place of poetry and history. It is a town that inspired the poems and stories of Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson, a place where tales of bushrangers, gold strikes and the struggles and success of Australia's earliest pioneers originate. Stories of a bygone era resonate through the town captured in historic villages, museums and heritage buildings and the landscape itself is a delight, its magnificent beauty and diversity providing visitors with attractive sites for a range of outdoor activities. As a modern town Bathurst also offers a wide range of sporting facilities, leisure activities, restaurants and numerous attractions including the nearby villages of Sofala and Hill End, once booming gold towns now rustic villages - places for fossicking holidays.

Heritage Attractions

As Australia's oldest inland settlement, Bathurst boasts a wealth of important historical links to the past and has a number of heritage buildings, many classified by the National Trust. A Historic Walking Tour is perhaps the best way to admire the many examples of 19th century town planning including the town's distinctive lamp posts and Kings Parade. Designed in traditional English style and named in honour of King Edward VIII, Kings Parade features a Boer War Memorial unveiled in 1910 by Lord Kitchener; a 35 bell, 30.5m high Carillon and the Evans Memorial that commemorates the discovery of the Bathurst Plains by G. W. Evans, Assistant Surveyor of Lands, in 1813.

Bathurst has a number of historically and architecturally significant buildings. One of the town's more notable public buildings is the Court House Complex. The Court House has two wings built as the Post and Telegraph Offices in 1877, however the main building was not completed until the original court house was demolished in 1880. Today the West Wing is occupied by a branch of the NSW Conservatorium of Music, and the East Wing houses the Museum and Visitors Information Centre.

Bathurst also has a number of delightful colonial cottages. Miss Traill's House, a Georgian cottage built in 1845, is the only domestic building of its age and style remaining in the area. Housing the history of one of the area's pioneering families, the cottage is administered by the National Trust and provides an accurate reflection of life in Bathurst's earlier days. Machattie Park Cottage, once a caretaker's cottage, is now a craft centre within Bathurst's beautiful begonia park and is a superb example of colonial architecture.

Also classified by the National Trust is Abercrombie House, a fascinating baronial Gothic mansion built in 1870s and one of few privately owned historic buildings in Bathurst open to the public. Originally the home of the Stewart family - one of Bathurst's first settlers - this magnificent home was bought by the current owners in 1969 and has undergone an extensive program of restoration and redecoration. Abercrombie House has magnificent grounds and contains a number of outstanding collections, it is open for guided tours on Wednesdays at 3pm and on selected days by notice.

Another of Bathurst's wonderful historical buildings is Old Government House, part of the original building where Governor Macquarie stayed in his farewell visit to Bathurst in 1812. Visitors to Bathurst can also visit the home of one of Australia's former Prime Ministers Ben Chifley, Prime Minister from 1945 - 1949 and life long resident of Bathurst. Chifley Engine located within Bathurst's railway station is another of the town's Chifley attractions, this steam engine was driven by Ben Chifley as an employee of the NSW Government Railways.

Natural Attractions

The area around Bathurst is a scenic wonderland and offers many beautiful picnic sites, fossicking areas, limestone caves, forest areas, mountains and farms. Visitors to the area can experience a wide variety of spectacular sights on one of many walking and driving tours. The area also has a number of beautiful parks and gardens to enjoy. The Macquarie River Bicentennial Park set on the river bank is one of Bathurst's prime picnic locations, it features a playground, picnic facilities, a number of heritage sites and the highly regarded sculpture 'Conversation'. A short drive from Bathurst is Bondurra, a fascinating garden estate with almost every kind of herb. Here visitors can discover the secret of medicinal herbs and the art of cooking with herbs, and sample unusual jams and sauces.

Mount Panorama

As well as providing an outstanding view of the valley, Mt Panorama is the site of many of Bathurst's best known attractions. The mountain is home to Australia's most famous motor racing circuit and is host to the country's most prestigious touring car races - the Tooheys 1000 and the James Hardie 12 Hour. In October each year the Mountain is the focus of attention for many Australians and comes alive with the roar of engines racing the clock. Prior to the development of Mount Panorama, Bathurst was the home of bike racing and the Old Vale Circuit that operated between 1931 to 1937 is signposted today.

Mount Panorama has a Motor Racing Museum that captures the excitement, disappointment and enjoyment that is synonymous with racing at Bathurst. As well as housing some of Australia's most famous cars and bikes, the Museum has a display of photographs and assorted memorabilia pieces that document some of the most spectacular moments in Australia's racing history. More local racing history is found in the centre of town on Victors Walk - a street of brass plaques embedded in chequered flag designed concrete celebrating the winners of Bathurst's great race.

McPhillamy Park on the mountain, provides visitors with excellent picnic areas and lookouts, while at the top of Mount Panorama is Sir Joseph Banks' Nature Park. The 41 ha Park has a number of walking trails and a number of native birds and animals wander freely through the Park. The Park has a Visitors' Centre and here visitors can view an excellent reptile collection and aquarium display, or take guided 'safari tours' through the Park.

General Attractions

Located at the top of Conrod Straight on Mount Panorama is Bathurst Gold Diggings. The Diggings were recreated to provide visitors with the opportunity to see how mining operations were carried out in the early days. Visitors can try their luck panning for gold or just absorb the history and wonderful mountain scenery.

The Bathurst Sheep and Cattle Drome captures the rural flavour of the area. Here visitors can learn about various breeds of sheep and cattle and can see demonstrations of milking, shearing and sheep dog working.

Museums & Art Gallery

Artefacts and relics from the pioneering days of Bathurst's history are displayed in Bathurst's Historical Museum. The Museum houses a spectacular photographic display and archival collection that gives visitors an insight into early times.

The Bathurst Regional Art Gallery was one of the first in rural NSW. As well as playing host to travelling exhibitions, the Gallery has an extensive collection of early 20th century Australian art and features a number of special collections including the Lloyd Rees Collection and one of the most important ceramics displays in Australia. Bathurst also has a range of specialty arts and craft stores featuring the works of local artists.

Farmstays

Tours that focus on the agricultural aspects of Bathurst are very popular amongst visitors. A number of the properties in the Bathurst area offer day trips, relaxing country holidays or the opportunity to experience life on a working country property.

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