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One of Australia’s oldest inland settlements, Bathurst is a gateway to former gold-rush towns, boasting colonial buildings and grand old homes built for wealthy graziers.

In recent years, this sophisticated city has become synonymous with its annual motor race, the Bathurst 1000. You can drive on Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit, but the speed limit is a mere 60 km per hour.

Neighbouring towns such as Hill End, which boomed during the gold rush, feature the remains of 1800s architecture and rusting agricultural equipment. To the south, the Abercrombie Caves form one of the most spectacular limestone cave systems in Australia.

Things to do

• Pan for gold in the Turon River at Sofala.
• Browse the Lloyd Rees collection at Bathurst’s Regional Art Gallery.
• Explore Hill End and Sofala, quaint historic towns that have been painted by the likes of Russell Drysdale and Donald Friend.

Don’t miss

• The cars, bikes and racetrack simulator at the National Motor Racing Museum at Mount Panorama.
• A tour of Abercrombie Caves, or a self-guided walk through the Arch Cave.
• Driving a lap of the Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit.
• Chifley Cottage, the former residence of Australia’s 16th prime minister, Ben Chifley.
• Australia’s only complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton at Bathurst’s Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum.
• The restored Cobb and Co coach at Bathurst Visitors Centre – the headquarters of Cobb and Co were established in Bathurst in 1862.

Photo: Jeffrey C Drewitz
Courtesy Tourism New South Wales