Fact Sheets & Video - Bathurst Area

To Bathurst and Beyond

A discovery drive through the central tablelands of western NSW reveals some natural, artistic and historical wonders beyond the Blue Mountains. Visitors may begin their trail at Australia's first inland settlement, Bathurst.

The original home of Cobb & Co, today Bathurst is renowned for Mt Panorama and car racing and like all Aussie towns that have their big icons, the Gold Panner statue. "The Man" as the locals like to call him, stands at the outer boundary of the Gold Panner Motor Inn before entering the main drag. He is reputed to have a change of attire to suit an occasion and even wears a red nose on Red Nose Day.

Around 45 kilometres north of Bathurst is the township of Sofala. Although the heady gold rush days are long gone from the district, the Turon River continues to wend its way through the area, making it the ideal locale to try your hand at some gold prospecting. This is best enjoyed under the guidance of local bush poet Mike Cody, who has been reciting well-versed poetry for a number of decades.

Mike and his wife Jan run Chesleigh Homestead. Their property is ideal for family-based accommodation and in-house activities, including horse riding, guided bush walks and gold panning. This can be done from the creek or from the two kilometre section of the Turon River that runs through their 3,000 acre property. This is where an endless source of gold skerricks, flakes, rattlers and nuggets can be struck upon.

For something totally unexpected, drive from Sofala to Capertee via Sofala Road and then the Castlereagh Highway, to pick up the trail that traverses the World Heritage-listed Capertee Valley. This is the largest and longest enclosed valley in the southern hemisphere and a significant runner-up to the stupendous and much deeper Grand Canyon! For a phenomenal outlook, Pearson's Lookout, located on the Mudgee Road just outside of the Capertee village, is a prominent position to reveal the valley's remarkable magnitude.

But to fully immerse yourself in the captivating escarpment and valley, visitors may elect to stay at the historically charming, art-deco and recently refurbished Glen Davis Boutique Hotel. Built in 1939, it was described as the finest hotel west of the Blue Mountains. Many dignitaries and past Prime Ministers have reputedly stayed there and it's been said that even the Queen Mother once paid a visit. Today, the 22-metre salt water swimming pool offers world-class views and each of the 16 rooms (ranging in size from double to queen) capture mesmerising outlooks over the valley.

The town of Glen Davis constituted the only attempt to commercially produce petrol from shale oil in Australia. In its heyday about 2,500 people lived in the township, however, after the closing of the shale oil mine, it literally became a ghost town overnight. From Glen Davis, continue on a profoundly scenic yet relatively unknown drive to Gulgong via Rylstone. Depicted as part of a montage on Australia's original $10 dollar note, the nostalgic township of Gulgong is now world-famous for its white gold - more specifically kaolin clay - and has become a haven for potters and artisans.

About 130 of the town's buildings are registered with the National Trust, with many dating back to the 1870s. The Cudgegong Gallery is a newly completed contemporary exhibition space situated in the heritage section of a building and specialises in showing ceramics and presenting quality works from artists of high standing in their field. This includes local artist Sue Bridgford, who, literally, likes to dig up and utilise red clay from the side of the road to create her own works of art prior to placing them in the gallery.

Further Information:

Bathurst and Beyond, NSW

Chesleigh Homestead

For farmstays and in-house family fun activities such as gold panning and horse riding at Sofala contact:

(02) 6337 7077

www.sofala.com.au

The Glen Davis Boutique Hotel

Prices start from $275 per couple per night and include bed, breakfast and dinner. Couples, groups and conferences are possible.

(02) 63-797-372

www.glendavishotel.com.au

Cudgegong Gallery

(02) 6374 1630

Herbert Street

Gulgong NSW Australia 2852

www.cudgegonggallery.com.au