10 of the most charming Bathurst accommodations

Jessica Humphries Jessica Humphries
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From historic hotels to cosy farmstays, Bathurst offers a diverse smorgasbord of accommodation options to charm any traveller.

When it comes to finding the best Bathurst accommodation, there really is something for everyone. Whether you’re a lover of luxury or you’re in search of the cheerful and cheap, there’s something to suit every traveller’s needs.

The town’s rich history, stunning natural beauty and salt-of-the-earth locals make it an inviting and memorable destination. So, pack your bags and get ready to explore some of the best Bathurst stays on offer.

1. Wilga Station

Price: $$$ – $$$$

Boasting a new kind of luxury, Wilga Station is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. If a quaint countryside retreat tickles your fancy, there are two charming accommodation options on the working sheep farm: the Farmer’s Hut (sleeps two) and the Shearer’s Hall (sleeps 10).

Farmers Hut Wilga Station
Escape to the quaint countryside retreat at Wilga Station.

For those who prefer to stay close to the town centre, the Wool Shed boasts five apartments in Bathurst that combine country charm with New York chic (the owners lived in New York for five years before returning to the family farm – and you can tell).

the bed view at the Farmer’s Hut in Wilga Station
Sleep with a view in the Farmer’s Hut.

Your stay on the farm comes with a complimentary breakfast hamper made of seasonal ingredients to cook up a gourmet hot breakfast on the barbeque, ideal for a romantic or indulgent group getaway.

chic and rustic interior at Shearer's Shed in Wilga Station
Shearer’s Shed is a mix of country charm and New York chic.

2. Bishop’s Court Estate Boutique Hotel

Price: $$$$

Nestled in the heart of Bathurst, Bishop’s Court Estate Boutique Hotel is a true gem. From the moment you step inside the historic hotel, its unique charm captivates and inspires. Each room is meticulously adorned with antique furnishings and luxurious bedding, creating a sense of elegant nostalgia.

an elegant bedroom at Bishop’s Court Estate Boutique Hotel, Bathurst
Elegant furnishings at Bishop’s Court Estate Boutique Hotel.

The beautifully landscaped garden is a local attraction in itself. The warmth extends beyond the accommodation, with the welcoming hosts going above and beyond with thoughtful indulgences like wine, chocolates and a decadent breakfast served in the dining room.

a vibrant and rustic dining setup at Bishop’s Court Estate Boutique Hotel
Bishop’s Court Estate Boutique Hotel is adorned with antique decors.

3. Lochinvar Luxury Cottages

Price: $$$

Located five minutes from town on the slopes of Mount Panorama, Lochinvar Luxury Cottages are delightfully cosy, making you feel right at home the moment you step inside.

There are three self-contained cottages to choose from, and each come stocked with plentiful breakfast provisions, immaculate gardens and lovely views across Macquarie Valley. The cottages are nostalgically traditional in design and offer everything you need for a luxurious stay.

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4. Rydges Mount Panorama

Price: $$

Perched on the summit of the famous car racing track, Rydges Mount Panorama is an ideal location to soak up the spirit of the region. With stunning views of the surrounding area and perfectly appointed rooms, the motel is modern and convenient.

There’s an onsite restaurant, bar and outdoor swimming pool, as well as a range of amenities and mod-cons in each room. Be sure to check out Mount Panorama – it’s known as one of the best things to do in Bathurst for a reason.

5. Avonview Cottage – Mount Panorama

Price: $$$ – $$$$

Another Mount Panorama beauty, Avonview Cottage is an Airbnb that boasts 180-degree, uninterrupted views over Bathurst and the surrounding mountains.

a modern living room with window at Avonview Cottage – Mount Panorama
Take in breathtaking sights from your window at Avonview Cottage.

The stylish space offers two king bedrooms and bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and laundry, plus an outdoor firepit to soak up the ambiance. It’s a lovely option for couples seeking privacy, picturesque views and five-star modern comfort and style.

the bedroom at Avonview Cottage – Mount Panorama, Bathurst
Wake up next to scenic views of Bathurst and the surrounding mountains.

6. The Convent, O’Connell

Price: $$$ – $$$$

The Convent O’Connell Circa 1867 is a four-bedroom Airbnb perfect for groups wanting to enjoy the romance of the surrounding area, away from bustling Bathurst. Located a 15-minute drive from the city, the cottage oozes country charm. With a rich history, the space has been lovingly restored to delight with the perfect combination of old and new.

a beautiful country estate cottage at The Convent, O’Connell
Check into the country estate cottage at The Convent, O’Connell.

Big, beautiful gardens surround the property, and it’s close to the popular Mayfield Garden and local cafe. It can also be pet-friendly by arrangement, making it ideal for those travelling with their fury friends.

the property exterior amidst lush greenery at The Convent, O’Connell
The beautiful cottage is surrounded by lush greenery.

7. Bathurst Heritage Motor Inn

Price: $$$

Conveniently located a short walk from Bathurst’s city centre, and even closer to the RSL, one of Bathurst’s best clubs, the Bathurst Heritage Motor Inn offers comfy and affordable accommodation. The motel provides spacious rooms with TVs, aircon and all the essentials, making it ideal for a short stay.

With plenty of rooms to choose from, friendly staff, continental breakfast and a simple but serene ambiance – it’s a great option for travellers who want to be close to town.

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8. The Victoria Hotel

Price: $$

A great Bathurst accommodation option for travellers who want to be amongst it, The Victoria hotel is upstairs from one of Bathurst’s best local pubs, offering basic but stylish rooms with everything you need.

outside the Victoria Building in Bathurst
The Victoria Hotel is one of the oldest buildings in Bathurst. (Image: Nicola Bailey)

The downstairs restaurant boasts a mouth-watering menu of modern cuisine and classic counter-meal favourites, and there’s often an array of vibrant events on the calendar – usually held in the big, bustling beer garden.

an ensuite accommodation at The Victoria Hotel, Bathurst
The ensuite room at The Victoria Hotel is equipped with modern comforts. (Image: Trent Cash)

9. Bathurst Explorers Motel

Price: $

The Bathurst Explorers Motel is a perfect option for travellers who want cheap, cheerful and comfortable accommodation that’s just a half-hour stroll, or a short drive, to the centre of town. It’s especially loved by pet-owners as you can bring your dog along for the stay. This no-frills motel is basic but clean and cosy.

the property exterior of Bathurst Explorers Motel
Crash for the night at Bathurst Explorers Motel.

10. Rest at BoxGrove

Price: $$$$

Located on family-run cattle farm BoxGrove, Rest is the perfect off-grid retreat for solo travellers and couples looking for a romantic getaway. The stay is made up of six luxurious eco-studios, two of which are designed specifically for those with accessibility needs.

Rest at BoxGrove in Bathurst, NSW
Soak in the stand-alone tub with views across the paddock and plains.

Out here, it’s all about disconnecting to reconnect, whether that be with nature, your travel companion or your favourite hobby. Unwind with local wine on the deck or by your own fire pit with views of black Angus cows grazing in the paddock beyond your fence. Or opt for a dip in your private outdoor spa.

Rest | Private Escape in Bathurst, NSW
Sit by the fire pit or enjoy an outdoor spa.
If adventurous travel in the great outdoors is more your style, there are a handful of comfortable caravan parks and campgrounds in and around Bathurst to tickle your fancy.

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Jessica Humphries
Jessica Humphries is a travel and wellbeing writer, with a passion for slow travel, nature, and exploring the world mindfully. Formerly the editor of Australian Yoga Journal and a current contributor to a number of well-being publications, Jessica's writing is inspired by her love for yoga, wellness and sustainable living. Her work is a celebration of the beauty of the world and the joys of gentle travel. She is based in the Northern Rivers of NSW and loves to explore her local area too!
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3 vintage train journeys to step back in time and explore NSW

(Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

    Elizabeth Whitehead Elizabeth Whitehead
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    From country landscapes to the coast, Vintage Rail Journeys blends the grandeur of the golden age of rail travel with immersive local experiences.

    Travelling aboard the historic Southern Aurora train is the ultimate scenic journey through regional NSW. Operated by Vintage Rail Journeys, the former Southern Aurora is a step back in time, from the lovingly restored carriages to the Off Train Experiences that spotlight local history, artisanal crafts and regional producers.

    Once the overnight express that ferried passengers between Sydney and Melbourne throughout the 1960s, this train has been revived to its former mid-century glory, from the cabin layouts to the original lettering. Today, the train takes passengers on scenic and historic five-day journeys – starting and ending in Sydney – through three distinct regions of NSW: The Riverina, Golden West and North Coast.

    Vintage Rail Journeys Southern Aurora train carriage
    Be transported into the golden age of travel. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

    One of the most magical parts of travelling with Vintage Rail Journeys is waking up on the train. Each night, the train stables at a station so guests can enjoy a restful night’s sleep in stillness, before departing again at dawn. Passengers awake to the gentle motion of the carriage, flicking open the blinds to watch the landscape unfold at sunrise. There is no better way to start the day.

    The onboard experience come evening time is just as picturesque. Guests enjoy the all-inclusive food and beverages, nursing cocktails in the Art Deco-inspired lounge carriage or lingering over a three-course dinner in the dining carriage. Outside the window, Eastern grey kangaroos bound across open plains and flocks of cockatoos scatter from the gumtrees. It’s an old-world way of travelling, a slower pace that’s increasingly rare amid the frenzy of modern life. From coastal sojourns to adventures through agrarian landscapes, these are the multi-day Vintage Rail Journeys itineraries transporting guests back in time.

    The Riverina

    Vintage Rail Journeys Southern Aurora train travelling through nsw
    Travel through the agricultural heartland of NSW. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

    The Riverina is the agricultural heartland of NSW. Over five days, Vintage Rail Journeys takes passengers through the region to experience its celebrated produce, wines and local history. Travelling in a loop through the Central West, guests can sample sweets at the Junee Liquorice & Chocolate Factory, housed inside a former flour mill, tour an olive grove alongside a second-generation olive farmer, and enjoy tastings at family-owned wineries where the grapes are harvested mere metres away.

    The Riverina is also a region shaped by passionate local historians. The Fairground Follies museum in Bowral houses one of the world’s largest collections of mechanical music and carnival memorabilia – a riot of colour and nostalgia tucked away where you’d least expect it. Meanwhile, Temora Rural Museum offers a glimpse into the history of everyday life in rural NSW. It’s home to the NSW & ACT Ambulance Museum (yes, a museum within a museum), packed with ambulances that span the past 120 years (including horse-drawn!). And seeing it all aboard a vintage train makes it feel not just like you’re visiting history, but living inside of it.

    North Coast

    Forest Sky Pier
    Take in the views from Forest Sky Pier. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    This five-day journey is all about ocean views and slowing down in tune with the rhythm of coastal life. As you make your way north from Sydney, the water is never too far from sight, whether Vintage Rail Journeys is tracing the Gloucester River or travelling alongside sweeping stretches of coastline. You’ll want to sit by a window as the train passes through the Coffs Harbour region – it’s one of the most scenic stretches of the whole journey.

    Guests can also disembark at Coffs Harbour to take in the beauty of the Great Dividing Range at the Forest Sky Pier – a surreal lookout point that looks like a runway disappearing into the sky. The train continues onward to Byron Bay, where guests can disembark to explore the iconic beach town at their own pace. And on the return journey to Sydney, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins – they’re known to frequent the Kooragang Wetlands near Newcastle, which guests visit on a lunch cruise on the final day.

    Golden West

    winery experience in new south wales
    Jump off the train for a winery experience. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

    Travelling through the Golden West by rail is like stepping into a Frederick McCubbin painting – a nod to the golden era of rail travel. This five-day journey evokes the era of Australian Impressionism, passing through some of the country’s most painterly landscapes while tracing a path through history.

    Starting in Sydney, the train makes its way to the Hawkesbury River, where the train crosses a historic rail bridge over the bronze, glassy waters below. Guests disembark here to cruise the brackish inlet aboard a historic postal boat before returning to the train to continue into Gold Rush country. Ahead lie grand heritage towns and historic estates, including the 1870s Abercrombie House in Bathurst.

    Special event journeys

    meal onboard Vintage Rail Journeys Southern Aurora train
    Enjoy all-inclusive dining and beverages on the way to special events. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)

    Regional NSW is home to some truly one-of-a-kind events, and Vintage Rail Journeys offers a memorable way to get there. Planning a trip to the Bathurst Repco 1000? Vintage Rail Journeys’ special itinerary combines accommodation, dining and transport into one seamless experience. Guests take the scenic route to Bathurst, where the train becomes a unique home base for the event, complete with transfers, all-inclusive dining and beverages, and three days of reserved grandstand seating before returning to Sydney Central Station.

    For something a little more playful, guests can also join fellow Elvis enthusiasts on a special overnight journey to Parkes for the town’s iconic annual Elvis Festival. It’s a vintage rail journey – with a little added rock ‘n’ roll.

    Step back into the golden age of rail travel at vintagerailjourneys.com.au.