Littlebourne Guest House is reason enough to make a beeline for this underrated country city.
Bathurst might be known for supercars and gold mining, but there’s a gentler side to the regional city that makes it one of the most underrated destinations in New South Wales. I recently visited on a weekend away with my sister, and we were both pleasantly surprised by how lovely it was. Why aren’t more people talking about it? Bucolic rolling hills, fantastic produce and laidback charm make it an idyllic destination for a relaxing sojourn. And the place to stay? Undoubtedly, Littlebourne Guest House, located a five-minute drive from the city centre.
Bathurst is no stranger to historic buildings. But when we enter the circular driveway, I see a centaur sculpture by Nicole O’Regan and the home’s bright white facade with a scalloped veranda and I can’t wait to discover what lies within. The property was built in 1830 as a wedding gift for 17-year-old Mary-Jane Hawkins when she was married off to Lieutenant Thomas Evernden, who led Australia’s first Mounted Police unit. The house was extended using gold rush money in 1885, and again in the 1930s, before being majorly refurbished from 2020. Today, it stands as a high-end historic guesthouse with six suites sleeping up to 14 people. The gardens were restored and designed by Hugh Main of Spirit Designs.
The historic home features a wraparound veranda. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)
A centaur Sculpture by Nicole O'Regan. (Credit: Ishita Moghex)
Our host Annabelle greets us warmly before leading us through the property, sharing the history and design choices behind each room with a passion and understanding that reveals her years of dedication to its restoration. “Inspiration was drawn from the story of Mary Jane Hawkins – a pioneering young woman who hosted family and friends in a loving household while also entertaining some of the most influential dignitaries who visited the inland areas," she shares. “To me, Mary Jane was young and energetic, with a spirit of adventure and love of light and laughter. That is the soul of Littlebourne."
The accommodation is spread across the original 1830 house, the 1885 Webb wing, the 1930s rear additions, plus the new dining room and the contemporary Pavilion. It features soaring ceilings across a library, billiards room (with the largest pool table I have ever seen) and an open-plan kitchen and living area.
The home is filled with antique finds. (Credit: Rachael Thompson
The elegant reception room features painting by Margaret Hogan of Winburndale Rivulet. (Credit: Ishita Moghex)
Annabelle worked with Source Architects in Orange and renowned Australian designer Sibella Court on the refurbishment. It’s all so perfectly curated with an eclectic mix of pieces from friends, family and “fossicking adventures" including sumptuous lounges, contemporary artworks evocative of the surrounding countryside (from local artists Gabrielle Hegyes, Steven Hogan and Margaret Hogan), antique candelabras and dark timber furniture. Each guestroom is unique, from the Darwin Suite – a nod to the naturalist and biologist who made a curious detour to Bathurst in 1836 – to the Mary Jane Suite – which is swathed in delicate pink and purple tones and overlooks a vegetable patch – to the charming Convict Cookhouse Suite – tucked into the former servant’s kitchen.
I’m staying in the stately Chifley Suite. This room pays homage to Ben Chifley, a Bathurst train driver who became Prime Minister from 1945 to 1949, and features a fireplace, writing desk with rose garden views and a freestanding bath (bath salts supplied).
The Webb Suite features a bath and fireplace. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)
Suites are spacious and calming. (Credit: Ishita Moghex).
The Darwin Suite pays homage to the botanist and naturalist. (Credit: Ishita Moghex)
We share a glass of local Rock Forest sauvignon blanc (I implore you to try this, especially if this isn’t your normal varietal of choice!) in the modern country-style kitchen, which opens onto a large living room with a fireplace – the perfect spot to curl up with one of the books from the library. The accommodation feels like your own home, a place to host friends and family, where you can cook feasts in the kitchen, fire up the pizza oven and spill out into the garden with a glass of local wine from the fridge. English garden beds full of roses and a diverse array of Australian natives fill the landscape, with an incredible 200-year-old rose bush stealing the show.
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Guests can cook up a feast in the country-style kitchen. (Credit: Ishita Moghex)
The dining room is an idyllic spot for breakfast. (Credit: Ishita Moghex)
A farmhouse-style breakfast is served each morning with coffee, juice, eggs, fresh bread, yoghurt, homemade granola and berries. We enjoyed this sitting in the dining room, and I almost felt as though I was in a Jane Austen novel.
Littlebourne is luxurious yet homely and transports you back in time while catering to your modern sensibilities. You will walk away with an overall sense of calm and some guaranteed design inspiration. “Littlebourne is an adventure that unfolds. From the quiet country-style entrance, to the journey through soaring rooms and light-filled spaces. You are a friend visiting a country home, not a guest in a hotel, and all your friends are full of stories to share."
Details
The modern, sun-lit living area. (Credit: Ishita Moghex)
Best for: Family or friends getaways, romantic weekends away and those looking for a serene getaway.
Extras: This is a hosted stay and you will be offered ideas for the best things to do in the region. Special services, including catering, yoga, musicians, or micro weddings can be arranged onsite, so you don’t need to leave.
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Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and Hotel Addict. She's responsible for the foundational content on AustralianTraveller.com, helping to manage and grow the brand’s destination guides. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love and Bed Threads. When she's not writing, editing or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list is Lord Howe Island.
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
