Cherry blossoms flower over Bathurst's town centre — Photograph: Supplied

A weekend in Bathurst

A relaxed, rural uni town that's fast emerging as a proper food and wine destination. Plus: Australia's very own dinosaur!

Written by

Time Out editors

Wednesday 13 January 2016

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This regional NSW city is 200km from Sydney and it's beautiful all year round. Plan your trip with our guide to where to eat, drink, stay and play in Bathurst.

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Eat

Photograph: Sourced

Bathurst Farmer's Market

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Start your adventure at the local farmers markets in the historic Bathurst Showgrounds (held on the fourth Saturday of the month from January to November), where you can meet and chat with friendly locals peddling fresh regional produce.

Photograph: Legall Patisserie Cafe

Legall Patisserie Cafe

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Head on to downtown Keppel Street and right into Legall's Patisserie, where the small bakery is earning a reputation as a little slice of France in regional NSW – and there's a local, cult-like fervor around its lemon tarts and vanilla slices.

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Photograph: Cargo Mill Bathurst

Crago Mill Emporium and Heritage Centre

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This World Heritage building is home to shops selling all manners of gifts, antiques and collectables, but still retains the character and charm of its former flour-mill days. Renovations are ongoing and there are big plans for this building, though it still retains the charm and character of its long-ago existence as a flour mill. Pop in to the adjoining café, which is lovingly run by local Glenn and his wife, who are all about providing customers homegrown meals in cosy surrounds.

Photograph: Church Bar + Woodfired Pizza

Church Bar + Woodfired Pizza

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Housed in a former 1850s church school, this deceptively cosy and cavernous space has punters coming from afar to enjoy the creative pizze toppings. Think kangaroo fillet marinated in shiraz and peppercorn with chilli and jalapeños, or saltwater crocodile marinated with lime and ginger marinade.

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Photograph: Cobblestone Lane

Cobblestone Lane

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If you’re looking for something a little more refined, make tracks to Cobblestone Lane where they’re delighting in modern Australian fare made from local produce like Smoked Mandagery creek venison and rabbit terrine & grilled Moreton Bay Bug tail, accompanied by regional wines.

Drink

Photograph: Webb&Co.

Webb&Co.

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Cobblestone Lane's neighbouring Webb&Co, has set up shop in a former department store and is making a name for itself as Bathurst's hippest drinking hole.

Stay

Photograph: Bathurst Heritage Apartments

Bathurst Heritage Apartments

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Nestled right in the heart of town of Williams Street inside the historic Royal Hotel Building, the Bathurst Heritage Apartments offers large one- or two-bedroom units with themed rooms spanning art and music. The self-contained apartments offer a comfortable gateway in the heart of downtown Bathurst with sensational balcony views of the morning mist rising over the distant valley.

Play

Photograph: Sourced

Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum

Travel

As one of New South Wales' oldest towns, there's an abundance of colonial architecture to explore. Begin at the Australian Fossil Museum, a treasure chest of historical artefacts that boasts natural minerals, an extremely rare lizard embedded in amber, and an unmissable standout – a 360 million year old fossil known as T-rex, the only one of its kind in Australia.

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Need another dose of culture? The Bathurst Regional Art Gallery features a dynamic collection of work from local artists.

And don't forget...

Photograph: Supplied

No visit to Bathurst is really complete without a trip around Mount Panorama. Despite a very pedestrian speed limit of 60 kms, the steep turns and uphill climb should evoke unease in even the most experienced drivers. Hold tight and grit your teeth – it's worth it for the impressive outlook from the top. For a drive that's a little less thrill-seeking, the roads surrounding the city offer panoramic country views of endless rolling hills and mountainsides in the surrounding regions.

Time Out visited Bathurst as a guest of CentralNSW Tourism.

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