The park
Bathurst is less than three hours’ drive from Sydney, just an hour away from the Blue Mountains and less than an hour from Orange. The park is quietly situated a 10 minute drive east of Bathurst city centre and just five minutes’ drive from Bathurst Regional Airport, where vehicle hire is available. On site, you’ll find a great mix of recreational and practical amenities, including a well stocked kiosk/store, a solar heated swimming pool, a movie room with a huge screen and modern laundry facilities. Kids, in particular, will love the holiday park. There’s a water slide, toddler pool, two playgrounds and a giant jumping pillow, plus spacious grounds to explore.
The accommodation
The park offers a wide range of accommodation options, including grassy unpowered sites for tents, concrete slab sites with power and water for caravans and motorhomes, plus powered ensuite sites for visitors who’d prefer private bathroom facilities. Or choose between five handsome cabin types, all set among lush gardens and all equipped with essentials including heating, TVs and private bathrooms. The prospector and fossicker cabins sleep up to four people each and are ideal for young families or overnight visitors. The spacious miners hut and settlers cottage sleep up to six apiece and include extras such as air conditioning and verandahs with outdoor furniture. Larger groups can book a homestead cabin, which sleeps up to six.
The neighbourhood
Mount Panorama Racing Circuit hosts high energy events throughout the year, but if you happen to visit town on a non race day, go instead to the National Motor Racing Museum, which is situated adjacent to the track and offers plenty of thrills and spills in its own right. If you’re travelling with kids, check out the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum to view T rex bones and plenty of other fascinating specimens. Afterwards, treat the kids at Annie’s Ice Cream Parlour, a ‘50s diner style establishment with a jukebox and incredible ice cream sundaes. For a quick car trip, visit the historic gold mining town Hill End where you can explore heritage buildings and mine relics; or stop at Mayfield, the world famous European inspired garden where you can forage in a 1.2ha kitchen garden, row across the lake or play croquet. Bathurst is full of great places to eat and drink. Visit The Hub for reliably good coffee (or a turmeric latte, if you’re inclined), vibrant cafe meals and occasional live music; splash out at 9inety 2wo, which serves modern Australian cuisine in an 1877 heritage building; or discover Dogwood, BX, an American late night saloon with great cocktails and US comfort food.