13 things to do in Bathurst (other than the races)

Jessica Humphries Jessica Humphries
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Bathurst is known for motor racing, but if you’re looking for less adrenaline, here are the best things to do at your own speed.

Discover Bathurst’s surprising historic charm beyond its famous Mount Panorama and motor races. Explore the gold rush history and iconic scenery, tour museums, taste the region’s famous wine and soak up the relaxed atmosphere of this picturesque city.

With endless options for history buffs, foodies and nature lovers, Bathurst is a treasure trove of hidden gems. Take a break from the race circuit and discover the best things to do in this down-to-earth town.

1. Bathurst Regional Art Gallery

With a permanent collection of more than 2000 works by Australian artists, the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) displays curated exhibitions plus a diverse range of touring exhibitions. The gallery’s collection was established in 1955 and is now run by the Regional Council, which welcomes 30,000 visitors each year.

BRAG stages a variety of annual exhibitions, including touring, specially curated and local artist exhibits, as well as exhibitions curated from the permanent collection and the work of Hill End artists produced as part of the gallery’s artist residency program.

Address: 70–78 Keppel St, Bathurst

a couple strolling around Bathurst Regional Art Gallery
Marvel at the curated displays inside Bathurst Regional Art Gallery. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Webb & Co Beverage Emporium

Tucked at the back of the Webb Chambers heritage building, Webb & Co Beverage Emporium is a great place for a pre-dinner cocktail, craft beer or local wine. Don’t let the small-scale fool you, this local haunt goes big on grandeur. Think classic cocktails, locally grown wines and craft beer, all in a historical setting.

Address: 175 George St, Bathurst

3. National Motor Racing Museum

Because you can’t come to Bathurst and ignore it! The National Motor Racing Museum displays some 50 cars and bikes, images and racing memorabilia, celebrating the history, personalities and achievements of Australian Motor Sports.

While the local Mount Panorama and Bathurst 1000 is at the heart of the displays, attention is paid to the history of speedway, solar, drag, open-wheeler, sports car, rallying and plenty more across the spectrum of Australian Motor Racing.

Address: 400 Panorama Ave, Bathurst

a display of motorcycles inside the National Motor Racing Museum, Bathurst
Find over 110 racing bikes and cars on display. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Abercrombie House

It’s hard to plan a trip to Bathurst without the mention of Abercrombie House. Put simply, this place is a national heritage treasure built in 1878, now open for public tours and special events – including regular high teas, night tours for the kids, Christmas in July and more.

Take a guided (or self-guided) tour through the 50-room Scottish-baronial mansion taking in the exhibitions, displays, collections, grounds and gardens, outbuildings and property walks throughout the 18 hectares.

Address: 311 Ophir Rd, Bathurst

External view of Abercrombie House in Bathurst
Abercrombie House is a grand heritage treasure in Bathurst. (Image: Destination NSW)

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5. Mayfield Garden

Located a 30-minute drive from Bathurst, Mayfield Garden is the perfect stopover for Sydneysiders on the way to/from town. This breathtaking 64-hectare property is one of the world’s largest privately owned cool-climate gardens and is inspired by an English country estate.

Beautiful in every season, Mayfield Garden is open 363 days. The extensive array of pathways are designed to be explored, with many nooks-and-crannies to discover and the mobility-friendly Camellia Walk. They also offer delicious, seasonal meals at the quaint onsite cafe – or you can order a picnic.

Address: 530 Mayfield Road, Oberon

Couple enjoying the spring blooms at Mayfield Garden near Bathurst
Wander around the grounds of Mayfield Garden for some truly spectacular sights. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Reckless Brewing

Owned by two friends with a passion for creating craft beers from natural ingredients, Reckless Brewing is a must-visit for beer lovers and foodies. The building is a heritage-listed ex-flour mill which gives the space rustic country vibes and a certain hillbilly charm. It’s fun and friendly, with plenty of mouth-watering street-style food and events to keep you entertained.

Address: 2A Piper St, Bathurst

the exterior of Reckless Brewing at Bathurst's historic Crago Mill site
Stop by Reckless Brewing for a top-notch meal.

7. Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum

The Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum is a great place to take the family and displays a range of historically significant and irreplaceable heritage items – including a T-Rex centrepiece that the kids will love!

Address: 224 Howick St, Bathurst

a dinosaur fossil display at Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum
Kids will go wild when they witness T-Rex on display. (Image: Destination NSW/Australian Mineral and Fossil Museum)

8. Bathurst Rail Museum

One of the best things to do in Bathurst with kids, the Bathurst Rail Museum is housed in the historic Railway Institute building and boasts a model railway the size of a tennis court. There’s also a dedicated kids’ space with plenty of engaging activities.

Address: 126 Havannah St, Bathurst

a train carriage at Bathurst Rail Museum in Bathurst
Bathurst Rail Museum is located next to the city’s train station. (Image: Destination NSW)

9. Miss Traill’s House

History buffs, antique lovers and gardeners will all delight in the charming simplicity of Miss Traill’s House, a Victorian-era bungalow and garden that boasts old furniture, art collections and a beautiful heritage garden. Weekly tours are run on Sundays by friendly and knowledgeable volunteers.

Address: 321 Russell St, Bathurst

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10. Japanese Bath House

Perfect for Sydney dwellers travelling to the region, the traditional Japanese Bath House is located at the edge of the Blue Mountains, about an hour’s drive from Bathurst – and totally worth it for health and wellness lovers. Nestled on 300 hectares of farmland and overlooking Lake Lyell, the bath house offers mineral-rich hot springs, a steam room and peaceful zen gardens.

Address: 259 Sir Thomas Mitchell Dr, Lithgow

11. The Rockley Pub

Well worth the half-hour drive from Bathurst, The Rockley Pub offers the perfect quintessential Aussie pub experience, making it a must-add to your list of things to do in the region.

Revamped by Australian food icon and owner Matt Moran, expect great pub grub with fresh, local produce, all your favourite boozy beverages and a buzzing vibe amidst the peaceful landscape of a country town.

Address: 2 Budden St, Rockley

food and wine at The Rockley Pub
Chill out at The Rockley Pub with a drink in hand. (Image: Destination NSW)

12. Bathurst Winter Festival

If you’re looking for something to do during the cooler months, the Bathurst Winter Festival is a must. If you’ve been to the region during winter, you’ll know it gets really cold – making it the perfect destination for some wintery wonder.

For two weeks in July, Bathurst is transformed into a winter wonderland of art, markets, ice-skating, food, music and light installations that illuminate Bathurst’s beauty.

the annual Bathurst Winter Festival in 2016
Time your visit with the annual Bathurst Winter Festival. (Image: David Roma)

13. Hill End Historic Town

 If you’re up for a bit of a road trip, the historic town of Hill End is a scenic, one-hour drive from Bathurst and is an absolute delight for history buffs and lovers of Australian culture. Exploring the town’s iconic buildings and historic sites invites you to step back in time and glimpse Australia’s fascinating gold-rush history.

the Hill End Historic Town
Hill End is a heritage-listed gold rush boom town. (Image: David Ireland/Tourism Australia Copyright)

Megan Arkinstall contributed entries one to five of this article.

Read our Bathurst travel guide for more insider tips and travel secrets.

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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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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.