Sights in Central West
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Australian Fossil & Mineral Museum
See Tyrannosaurus rex, Australia's only complete skeleton. You'll also see the internationally renowned Somerville Collection and over 6000 fossils from every period of the earth's history. It's fantastic.
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Historical Museum
The courthouse (1880), on Russell St, is the most impressive of Bathurst's many interesting old buildings. Local myth has it there was a mix-up of the plans with those intended for India's magnificent Court of Appeals! The court is the central section of the building. In the east wing is the small Historical Museum . Machattie Park, behind the courthouse, was once the site of the jail and is now a pleasant formal park known for its begonias, which flower from late summer to early autumn.
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Western Plains Cultural Centre
Incorporating Dubbo Regional Museum and Gallery, the cultural centre is housed in a swanky architectural space cleverly incorporating the main hall of Dubbo's former high school. The combination befits the centre's exhibitions, both contemporary and historic. There's an innovative dedicated children's gallery, so mums and dads can wander the gallery sans sleeve-tugging.
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Japanese Garden
Built as a token of Cowra's connection with Japanese POWs (but with no overt mention of the war or the breakout), the garden and attached cultural centre, with its collection of ukiyo-e paintings depicting everyday events in pre-industrial Japan, are well worth visiting. A sakura matsuri – cherry-blossom festival – is held around September/October.
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Wellington Caves & Phosphate Mine
The Wellington Caves & Phosphate Mine was discovered in 1830 by a colonist, George Ranken, when he accidentally fell into one of the caves. These exquisite and unusual formations, subterranean waters, marsupial fossils and ‘living fossils’ are an absolute highlight. Cathedral Cave is famous for its majestic 32m-wide and 15m-high stalagmite!
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Burrendong Botanic Garden & Arboretum
Twenty minutes from town, Burrendong Botanic Garden & Arboretum is an area overlooking Lake Burrendong that has been transformed into a wonderland of native vegetation with 50,000 plants. There are self-guided walks and a picnic area, plus wallabies, kangaroos, echidnas and emus.
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Dundullimal
About 2km beyond the Western Plains Zoo, this is a National Trust timber-slab homestead built in the 1840s showcasing some of the earliest forms of permanent European housing in NSW.
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Courthouse
Dubbo has some lovely old country-town buildings such as the courthousean impressive neoclassical edifice. The visitors centre has maps for both a heritage walk and a heritage drive.
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Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens was established in 1982 to preserve the native woodlands of the area. It’s on Clover Hill (with good views between the trees), 2km north of the city.
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Old Dubbo Gaol
This is now a museum where 'Animatronic' characters tell their stories – you hear from a condemned man due for a meeting with the gallows. Creepy but authentic.
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Courthouse
This 1880 building is the most impressive of Bathurst's historical buildings and houses the small Historical Museum.
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Orange Regional Gallery
Next to the visitor centre, the gallery has an ambitious, varied program of exhibitions and some Australian masters.
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Bathurst Regional Art Gallery
The gallery has a dynamic collection of work, featuring local artists as well as exciting touring exhibitions.
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Abercrombie Caves
The famous Abercrombie Caves is south of Bathurst. The complex has one of the world’s largest natural tunnels, the Grand Arch.
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Cowra Regional Art Gallery
The gallery has a permanent collection and exhibitions. For art alfresco, take a peek beneath Lachlan River bridge to see murals painted by Aboriginal artist Kim Freeman.
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National Motor Racing Museum
Rev-heads will enjoy the 6.2km Mt Panorama Motor Racing Circuit, the venue for the Bathurst Motorsport Spectacular in October. You can drive around the circuit, but only up to an unthrilling 60km/h.
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Western Plains Zoo
With over 1500 animals, this is Dubbo's star attraction. You can walk the 6km trail, hire a bike ($15) or join the crawling line of cars. Guided walks (adult/child $10/5) start at 6.45am every weekend and Wednesday and Friday in school holidays. Book ahead (02-6881 1488) for special animal encounters: Wild Africa (adult/child $29/19, 10.45am), Big Cats ($59 per person, Thursday to Tuesday), Giraffes ($5 per person) and Meerkats ($39 per person).
Stay at a lodge within the zoo for private encounters or experience Roar & Snore camping. Book well ahead.
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Mt Canobolas
Southwest of Orange, this nature reserve forms part of an extensive volcanic chain stretching 3000km along Australia's eastern seaboard. The flora and fauna, waterfalls, views, walking trails and bike paths make this great exploratory territory. Kayaks, paddle boats and windsurfers are available for hire from Geoff at Lake Canobolas Reserve off Cargo Rd. This is also a great place for swimming, or to have a picnic – the barbecues are clean and free.
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Dubbo Observatory
Partake in a bit of stargazing. There are two sessions each evening.
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Chifley Home
Ben Chifley, prime minister from 1945 to 1949, lived in Bathurst, and the modest Chifley Home is on display. There's also a new education centre.
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Australian & Japanese War Cemeteries
About 5km south of town; many of those remembered here died very young. A nearby memorial marks the site of the breakout, and you can still see the camp foundations.
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