Country NSW

• Summer

  Dec—Feb

  30°C Avg. High

  25°C Avg. Low

• Winter

  Jun—Aug

  10°C Avg. High

  5°C Avg. Low

Bathurst

On the banks of the Macquarie River in the Central Tablelands of NSW, the vibrant regional centre of Bathurst is rich with history and gold rush heritage. With Mount Panorama-Whaluu rising in the distance, it’s also the home of Australian motor racing and a hotspot for motorsport enthusiasts. Bathurst is Australia’s oldest inland colonial settlement, thanks to the discovery of gold in the region during the early 1850s. The elegant architecture and historic homes are on show around town, including the grand Bathurst Courthouse and Abercrombie House, a Scottish-baronial mansion from the 1870s that offers tours, high tea and music performances. Most Australians associate Bathurst with motorsports thanks to Mount Panorama-Wahluu, one of the world’s most famous circuits. It hosts a number of international racing events, including the Bathurst 12 Hour and the Bathurst 1000. When it’s not in-use for racing, the public can take a spin around the course. Visit the National Motor Racing Museum right next to the track.

Orange

With acclaimed wineries and cellar doors, fine dining, glorious parks and gardens, fabulous shopping and charming heritage villages, Orange makes for an unforgettable country break. When you’ve had your fill of wine and food (if that’s ever possible), drive the endless rural roads to your heart’s content or take to the skies in a hot-air balloon for an altogether different perspective. From apples and berries to truffles and grass-fed beef, Orange is renowned for its bountiful produce. Enjoy local wine, beer and cider paired with contemporary cuisine at acclaimed restaurants such as Printhie Dining, The Union Bank and Sisters Rock. The eclectic Birdie Noshery & Drinking Est also has a superb craft beer and cocktail list. For gourmet delights and fresh food, visit The Agrestic Grocer and the Orange Farmers Market, or grab a gelato at the Spilt Milk Bar.

Parkes & Surrounds

There are usually two things that draw people to Parkes in the Central West region of NSW. First is ‘The Dish’, the giant radio telescope that played an integral role in the 1969 Moon landings. The second is the iconic Parkes Elvis Festival, a rollicking annual event where pompadours and pomade rule. But there’s so much more to explore here, including a world-class sculpture trail.

Cowra

Set on the banks of the Lachlan River, Cowra is a charming town surrounded by vineyards, waterways, and pretty countryside in the beautiful Lachlan Valley. It’s home to a fascinating piece of wartime history, as well as tranquil gardens and fine wines. Visit the site of the former Prisoner of War Camp Site where, in 1944, over a thousand Japanese prisoners staged a mass breakout. Learn more about this incredible story at the POW Hologram Theatre and reflect upon the lives lost at the Japanese and Australian war cemeteries. Cowra now has a special relationship with Japan, reflected in the Cowra Japanese Garden, a symbol of peace and goodwill.

Mudgee

Famed for its gourmet experiences and picturesque countryside, Mudgee is one of Australia’s great food and wine destinations. Nestled by the beautiful Cudgegong River, the town still possesses the character and charm of its 19th-century past, with something for every kind of traveller. Get your bearings with a stroll along Mudgee’s elegant tree-lined streets on the Heritage Walking Tour and discover its beautifully preserved colonial buildings, including the Mudgee Post Office designed by architect Alexander Dawson in 1862.

Armidale

This picture-postcard university town is the main hub of the wildly beautiful New England High Country. With wide leafy streets and heritage architecture, the town itself is a delight, but add in world-class rock-climbing sites, a booming wine industry, a great regional gallery and four national parks, and you’ve got a destination where you’ll feel deeply connected to the land – and yourself. The picture-postcard town of Armidale is the main hub of the New England region. It’s home to grand cathedrals and a world-class university, with wide, leafy streets lined with heritage buildings. The historic towns of Guyra, Walcha and Uralla are all an easy scenic drive from Armidale.

Glen Innes & Inverell

This is gemstone country, but they’re not the only things that gleam in this historic region of north-western NSW. A fascinating Celtic past (Glen Innes’ Standing Stones pay homage to this heritage), distinct seasons, stunning national parks marked by tracts of ancient Gondwana rainforest, and a growing contingent of artisanal producers add up to an unforgettable experience. Are you ready to shine?

Tamworth

In the heart of the New England region of NSW, Tamworth comes with plenty of country swagger. Visit at any time of year and you’ll enjoy stellar food and wine – and generous portions. And then there are the outdoor activities, with plenty of adventure on the horizon. Perhaps the main reason to visit is to immerse yourself in the world of country music, whether you’re attending the annual Country Music Festival or visiting the 12-metre-high Golden Guitar.

Moree & Narrabri

Since 1895, Moree’s hot springs have drawn visitors to the region on the state’s Western Slopes. When you’re not soaking your cares away in the artesian springs, revel in the area’s rich Indigenous culture – a quarter of Moree’s population identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander – great galleries, art deco architecture and fabulous produce (pecans, anyone?).

Dubbo

You might come for the Taronga Western Plains Zoo and its 4,000 lovable residents, but there are plenty of reasons you’ll want to linger longer in the Dubbo region. Like the world-class stargazing, the stunning caves, the watery wonderland that is Lake Burrendong – or just the old-fashioned country welcome you’ll receive in the ‘City of Smiles’.

Warrumbungle

Think you’ve seen the sky? You ain’t seen nothing until you visit the Warrumbungle region, home of Australia’s first Dark Sky Park (an honour bestowed on only 13 places in the world) – where zero light pollution means the night sky is beyond vivid. Add in the jagged volcanic landscapes of Warrumbungle National Park, and you have Mother Nature at her very best. Created over millions of years from an extinct shield volcano, the jagged volcanic silhouette of the Warrumbungles rises sharply from eucalypt-dotted ridges amid surrounding plains. Free from artificial light, the national park offers fantastic bushwalking and stargazing opportunities.

Young & Hilltops

You’ll find endless epicurean delights and equally endless country charm in the Young region, located on the south-west slopes of the Great Dividing Range. Come for the cherries and the fabulous fields of golden canola around Hilltops, then follow food trails, discover colonial history and relish events that celebrate everything from kites to wool. The nation’s first commercial cherry orchard was planted in Young in 1878 and it’s been the cherry capital of Australia ever since. In Spring the sea of pink and white cherry blossoms is simply stunning. The main cherry-picking season runs from late October to late January.

Queanbeyan

It’s only a hop, skip and jump to the national capital, but Queanbeyan is more than a stopping-off point en route to Canberra and beyond. Linger a little longer here and uncover its charms – wander along the Queanbeyan River, take in the grand heritage architecture (some now home to cool eateries and hip boutiques) and discover stunning attractions like Molonglo Gorge, Deua National Park and the Googong Foreshores. In riverside Queanbeyan, you will find fascinating museums, heritage walks and a vibrant arts program at The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre. Follow the walking and cycling trails through town, learn about local history at the Queanbeyan Museum and enjoy the vibrant Multicultural Festival in February.

Southern Highlands

The Highlands have been a magnet for travellers for more than a century, drawn to the lush landscapes, bucolic charm and a slew of pretty villages. A new generation of food-makers, wineries, retailers and hoteliers continue to make the region the ideal destination to rewind, refresh and rejuvenate. Home to beautifully preserved colonial architecture, colourful gardens and manicured estates, the towns of the Southern Highlands offer a definitive touch of class. Bowral is the largest, famed for elegant boutiques, acclaimed restaurants and the colourful Tulip Time Festival. You’ll also find the legendary Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame.

Yass

This is cool climate wine country, so expect awe-inspiring vino experiences at every corner in this fertile region of southwest NSW. Where there’s good wine, delicious food and artisan producers follow; and so, apparently, do alpacas (four farms and counting) and artists, whom you can encounter at the myriad galleries and design studios. This kind of goodness is just a hop, skip and a jump away. You’ll find a wealth of history and heritage throughout the region. Begin your discovery on the Yass Town Walk and visit explorer Hamilton Hume’s former residence, Cooma Cottage, now a National Trust museum. The historic main street of Gundaroo is also an outdoor heritage museum, 40 mins southeast of Yass.

Goulburn

Within easy reach of Sydney, Goulburn’s motto is “country life with a city heartbeat”. The town’s broad, classic-country-town main street features colonial architecture and great shopping, but beyond, the region exudes country charm, with historic towns and villages ripe to be explored, and stunning rural landscapes to get lost in. One of the earliest inland settlements in NSW and Australia’s first inland city, Goulburn has long been the historic heart of this country region. Discover its rich history and grand colonial architecture on a self-guided heritage tour, and take a selfie with the Big Merino, which celebrates the region’s fine wool industry.

Canberra

Australia’s national capital is an exciting meeting point of world-class art, awe-inspiring nature and acclaimed food and wine sourced from the surrounding wine region. The added bonus? It’s just a hop, skip and a jump away from Sydney and many other NSW regions. Find day trips, road trips and much more below.