There’s more gold to be found in Bathurst beyond its rich historical legacy.

From decadent meals to earthy spirits and liqueurs, cosy homestays that ooze grand history and townspeople with lifetimes of stories to tell, Bathurst proves itself a country-side staple in the NSW region, rife with history to share and legacies to be made.

A town for those looking for more enriching, exciting ways to unwind, Bathurst’s beauty dives deeper than what it may seem on the surface, we made extra sure of it.

For your complete guide on what to eat, sip and do in New South Wales most historical town, read our picks below.

For lovers of serene luxury and storied elegance, the Bishops Court Estate Boutique Hotel. is where heritage calls, and reawakened beauty answers. Managed by Christine and the team, the home offers 5 luxurious rooms to choose from, each centered on the estate’s ethos of tranquility and blissful relaxation.

Offering a taste of “splendid tranquility”, and backed by the over 300+ 5-star reviews to prove it, the hotel leans into it’s rich history as the former home of Bathurst’s first Anglican Bishop, and expertely refines on it’s grandiose ornate architecture both within and outside, whilst paying homage to the original owners. Upon entering, the space immediately transforms into a second-home, cosy and welcoming, with plenty of communal rooms downstairs for guests to sip local wine from the region, and explore the intricacies the home has to offer. From warm, inviting fireplaces to complimentary “Golden Hour” champagne and nibbles, it’s the hotel that’ll leave you changing your holiday plans to stay indoors and enjoy all you can.

Perhaps most unique to the estate stands it’s classic, cosy chapel, modernised for any purpose you desire, from wedding venue, to dinner party, private concert, or any occasion where you want your guests feeling mesmorised by the space it holds.

Venture outside the house and you’ll be shaded by the leaves of trees as old as the housed itself – 1870. Expertly crafted by Christine, the garden features a colourful, curated array of flowers and decorative features, from a Camellia Rhododendron Walk, to a Reflective Water Garden, mirrors panelled on wall furnishings and space to take it all in, the gardens have been recognised for their splendour in the Annual Open Gardens Festival in Bathurst.

And, if you’re lucky, take in the beauty of your surrounds and you might even catch a glimpse of the native Australian wildlife that call Bathurst home.

Modern Australian dining can only be made more exquisite with a family story to tell, and Norma Joan take the crown for both. Named after the founders grandmothers, this charming, quaint bar and eatery nestled in the town’s centre serve up food and drink recipes reminiscent of those made by Norma and Joan themselves, adding a familiar touch to the recipes we grew up with. Served with the familial love and warmth of a grandmother’s touch, Norma Joan’s classical Australian cuisine is the ideal spot for date night, casual family evening or night-out with friends.

Sipped down with a glass (or two) of warm cinnamon and orange infused mulled wine, I enjoyed a taste of freshly-shucked pacific oysters alongside an entree of roast broccoli, house-made labneh and burnt honey and hazelnuts to top-off. The food was full of soul and flavoursome with each bite, every flavour sublimely complimenting eachother on the plate as if they were grown together. Amongst the classical jazz music and noir-inspired furnishings of the eatery, every plate was served with a nod to nostalgic eats from lifetimes past – It was a privilege to dine in the recipes of a family legacy.

Their staple dish, Curly Tree Farm Steak Frites, is topped with house made butter and guarantees satisfaction with every perfectly cooked bite. Sourced locally from the Wiagdon Valley in New South Wales, the beef served at Norma Joan isn’t one to miss when choosing what to eat here. Fancy a taste of the beef alongside your wine? Don’t miss the house-made beef jerky, an expertly crafted blend of sweet and smokey beef that gets more flavoursome with every bite you take. We grabbed some for the road home and it went down an absolute treat. And, in the spirit of locally sourced produce and supporting your neighbours, all bread sold comes straight from a local Bathurst bakery.

And to top it off? A trip down memory lane with ‘Joan’s Golden Syrup Dumplings’ and house made vanilla ice-cream, a sweet, sticky embrace of childhood comfort and old-school charm in a golden crisp shell – Ideal for sharing with your partner, family, or to enjoy all to yourself.

Until you’ve tried 100% natural beer, you haven’t experienced the purest flavour only nature can craft, and Reckless Brewing Co. take you right to the heart of natural beer. A preloved distillery turned familial and cosy, the space boasts an impressive in-house brewing facility and taproom, who manufacture the brand’s house beer right on location – Talk about on-tap, we’re bringing you right to the source!

After years chasing only the best, freshest ingredients the local region has to offer, the team behind Reckless Brewing Co. made the move into full-time beer manufacturing, dedicated to filling the space with character, bold craftsmanship, and a beer experience that you can’t help but take home with you (and we did!). The venue hosts live music and trivia specials throughout the year, so you can come assured that your group, whether a family gathering, or a night out with mates, you are going to be well taken care of during your visit.

Our favourite? Sipping back a can of the iconic Pale Ale with our mates – light-bodied and perfectly balanced with Citra and Galaxy hop flavours, it’s got a slight hint of that classic crisp bitterness with a fruity, smooth undertone.

Fancy a nibble? There’s plenty to choose from on ‘The Roadhouse’ menu. We enjoyed Memphis BBQ style Chicken Wings prepared in-house with a secret spice blend, topped off with a classic Falafel and dip it’s the perfect blend of rich, wholesome flavour and filling comfort foods with just enough spice to keep it interesting.

Reckless Brewing Co. release limited edition cans in seasonal drops – Now’s the time to make the switch to natural, hand-crafted beer, we promise you, you won’t look back. Shop more here.

Nestled in the outskirts of Bathurst and deep in the country sits Bathurst Grange Distillery, a quaint, inviting space that’s been with the same family since 1972, the Jones. Originally established in 1823, the once Colonial Home blends a hearty mix of passion for the craft with a lifetime of hardworking Aussie spirit to craft what it’s known for today – A tranquil blend of soulful Gin’s and Whiskey’s straight from earth to bottle.

Here, i discovered my love for baked Camembert, enjoying a honey and spiced roasted batch alongside a class of their classic Rose Garden Gin, a match made in heaven (though I do believe cheese can go with everything). The Gin range boasts ingredients hand-picked from the local gardens, and blends inspired by Australian native botanicals, well and truly engulfing you in the spirit of the region you’re drinking in, and around. The distillery is home to a wide blend of Cocktails and mixers, so you can rest assured there’ll be a spritz for whatever mood you’re in, from tangy passionfruit martini to bubbly Blue Mountain Mist, the menu goes above and beyond to cater to your palette – Discover more here.

As well as manufacturing their spirits, the site acts as a working sheep farm of over 400 acres along the Fish River, serving up incredible landscape views of the space alongside it’s rich history to tell, and in-house distillery. Not to brag, but we secured the best seat in the house, a floor to ceiling window that instantly transported us from city-life right into the heart of the countryside, and with bites and sips to compliment, it was an afternoon of pure bliss.

The space offers up tasting for both drinks and food from Friday to Sunday, so you can try before you fall in love with your perfect Bathurst Blend. If you’re keen to explore the distillery itself and learn the process of Whiskey and Gin manufacturing, tours are open to the public starting from just $20 a head, and $35 for tasting included. Need we say more? Book your tour here.

To share…or not to share? It’s a hard choice when the food hits this good.

A rich dynamic blend of Modern Australian flavours and local regional produce, Bootleg Dining is tucked away above William St in Bathursts’s Town Hall, and is the finer dining venue of choice for those looking to end a day in Bathurst with a bang. The restaurant’s repertoire of esteemed, well-travelled Chef’s, who’ve worked from Paris to Galway before finding their heart’s way to Bathurst, is a true testimony to the menu’s impeccable eye to detail, and considered ingredients list. Spanning a dynamic blend of meats, wines, fruits, vegetables, desserts, and so much more.

Oysters from Sydney were first up on the menu. Salty and firm, they instantly transported me back to the shores of Sydney, and felt like a true testimony to the best that New South Wales has to offer. What better to top it off than a hearty roast pumpkin and sweet, soft burrata baked to perfection. Each meal oozed pure earthy, rich local flavour from the region that proved Country-side dining is anything but ordinary.

We made sure to save room for dessert, and sure enough, it delivered. Rhubarb Cheesecake was first up on the menu, a firm, fresh Rhubarb and glossy sauce on the side of vanilla bean cheesecake. It’s airy, almost cloud-like texture packed a serious flavour punch when combined with Rhubarb sauce, and finished with just the right tart-sweet balance to leave you chasing the last spoonful and licking the plate clean (we certainly did!).

Chocolate mousse quickly followed, topped with a glazed banana to garnish and enjoy, and with a foundation of rich, crumbling chocolate biscuit, it was easy to see why these were on almost every patron’s plate. Needless to say, we absolutely cleaned the plates, and as we looked around, it seemed so did everyone else.

But get in quick! Bootleg Dining’s commitment to only the freshest seasonal product and premium ingredients mean the menu varies depending on what time of year you go. But one thing’s for sure, whatever’s cooking will leave your bellies (and camera roll!) satisfied.

And for a post Dinner pint? Check out Bathurst’s classic pub The Oxford Hotel, a vibrant, bustling after dinner drinks spot where all the locals are heading out to.

With a play area for children, footy on the TV and bar snacks a plenty, it’s no wonder The Oxford becomes the life of the town after dark. Us, amongst the townspeople, will be downing a pint of Reckless Brewing Co’s BX Lager, a popular choice amongst the locals, and for good reason too.

The Rockley Pub is a hidden gem of New South Wales regional dining experience that sits in the small town of Rockley. With a population of just 180 people, it’s a quiet, peaceful space to slow down, sip something local, and enjoy pub dining done properly.

Reimagined by Chef Matt Moran, the Rockley Pub blends charming old-school heritage with a vibrant modern flair for a truly varied, all-Aussie menu. Delivering right off the farm and straight to the kitchen, every item on it’s carefully considered menu hosts a dynamic blend of seasonally fresh, flavoursome feasts and warm hospitality, drawing in families, locals and weekend dreamers alike.

As passionate about using the flavours of local produce and drawing inspiration from them as they come, it’s little wonder Australian icon Chef Matt Moran chose The Rockley Pub as a bustling, flourishing venue to reimagine modern country cuisine – after all, Rockley is where the esteemed chef’s childhood family farm was.

As for the food, a classic pub lunch on an Aussie sunday arvo is always a welcomed way to round off a full week, and when the food is prepared with this much flair? It’s easy to see why all the tables were booked when we were in town. Here, we enjoyed a hearty rump steak, cooked medium rare and smokey in flavour, alongside a filling chicken parmigiana, crisp, golden and topped off with perfectly melted molten cheese and sauce for that all-Australian flavour thatinstantly transports us to the country. If you’re looking for a real heart pub treat, be sure to order from the ‘Chef’s Menu’, a mighty selection of meats and fish, delicately prepared and rich in flavour for those looking to get the best that Rockley has to offer.

With a long drive ahead of us, this was the perfect afternoon meal to keep us fuelled for the drive ahead, savouring every moment along with the afternoon sun. After a self-guided Rockley tour through historical banks turned Bnb’s, chapels, schools and acres of farmland to admire, it’s clear there’s much more to this little town than meets the eye.

After 3 blissful days in Bathurst, I came to see Bathurst isn’t just a place of history, it’s a gold rush of excitement just waiting for memories to happen. It is the soul of it’s people, it’s culture, it’s food and it’s antiquities, all with storybooks to tell not just of lives past lived, but lifetimes to go.

Bathurst, i’ll be back soon. Hungry, for more.