The Bathurst region rests within the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people. In 1813 the government surveyor, George Evans first sighted the Bathurst plains following the first successful European crossing of the Blue Mountains in the same year. The road from Emu plains to Bathurst plains was completed in April 1815.  On 7 May 1815, Governor Macquarie proclaimed and named the future town of Bathurst after the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, Henry Bathurst, 3rd Earl Bathurst. 

In the 1860s Bathurst would see a boom as a result of gold being discovered in 1851 and saw the town expand with development including various hotels and inns. Bathurst is the oldest inland colonial settlement and still today has some fascinating historic buildings and sites. 

Bathurst was the birthplace of the 16th Prime Minister of Australia Ben Chifley, and his former home is now a museum, providing a glimpse into how the Chifley’s lived, and offers an experience of everyday life in the 1940’s.

Bathurst is a vibrant regional centre and home to some historical buildings, first class museums and a thriving arts community. Featuring a bustling food and wine scene, Bathurst has some amazing restaurants, cafes and nightlife. Surrounding villages are a great place to get a look back to colonial times with historic sites such as Sofala and Hill End.  

Bathurst is probably most well known for it’s motor racing heritage, being the home of Mount Panorama, the Bathurst 1000 car race and the Bathurst 12 Hour event. Bathurst has a long history with motor racing srarting with motorcycle racing from 1911, then conducted at the Old Vale Circuit.  

Sitting on the banks of the Macquarie River, Bathurst is in Australia’s cool temperate climate zone which is defined as having mild to warm summers and cool to cold winters with the occasional snow fall. 

Bathurst’s economy is broad based with a manufacturing industry, large education sector (including agricultural) and government service sectors.