Saturday 18 February 2023

Discover Heritage in Bathurst NSW Australia

Abercrombie House. Credit: Visit NSW
As a town that proudly preserves its rich and fascinating heritage, visitors are welcome to embrace it too. There are several National Trust listed buildings, homes and gardens to explore throughout the region to appreciate the grand architecture and gain an understanding of what life was like on the plains before the thriving regional centre Bathurst has become today.

Abercrombie House, a 52 room Scottish baronial mansion meticulously restored to its original condition over several generations, is open year-round for the public to take self-guided tours of the house and its expansive grounds. The house regularly hosts special events like high teas, traditional luncheons and local Shakespeare in the Garden productions.

Miss Trails House and Old Government Cottage are often open for public tours on weekends.

In the villages, Rockley Mill and Stables Museum is a rare, three-story Victorian era flour mill with an interesting collection of public artifacts including clothing and personal items, machinery and police records. Hill End Heritage site also has plenty of opportunities to tour historic homes and buildings.

Take a self-guided tour of the beautiful, established Machatti Park through the Bathurst Step Beyond App. Bathurst's town square oasis is stunning at any time of the year and boasts picturesque features like the Band Rotunda, and Fernery.

Bathurst. Credit: Visit NSW
The Milltown Precinct in South Bathurst encompasses historic homes and buildings representing Bathurst's history as a railway town, including the former home of the late Prime Minister and his wife, Ben and Elizabeth Chifley. Chiefly Home is now a public house museum displaying original furnishings in situ that give a fascinating insight into life in regional Australia during the depression until after the Second World War.

In more recent history, many immigrants are the late 1940s early 1950s made the Bathurst migrant camp their temporary homes on the site of the former Bathurst Army Camp on Limekilns Rd.

Autumn is traditionally the time when Bathurst celebrates its heritage, hosting special events and tours with the Autumn Colors Program and Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail.

For anyone searching for more in-depth history about the Bathurst region, the Bathurst district Historical Society Museum is the place to go and speak with a local expert.

What the locals love - Sister Alice Sullivan, Perthville Convent Heritage Centre

"Bathurst has some of the loveliest old buildings that can be found anywhere in NSW. I enjoy walking around the old part of the town and seeing so much variety. Take time to enjoy a coffee in one of the many delightful cafes or enjoy a picnic in the peaceful local park by the Macquarie river or spectacular Machatti Park in the centre of town. Don't miss the Begonia House and Fernery in autumn."

A drive around legendary Mount Panorama / Wahluu is a highlight and a must on your itinerary.

Visit the newly renovated Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint John with its beautiful grounds and life-sized statue of Saint Mary MacKillop who is known to have prayed in this Cathedral.

Perthville Convent Heritage Centre
Following the Bathurst story of Saint Mary MacKillop by booking a tour at the Perthville Convert Heritage Centre which in 2022 celebrated 150 years since its founding. The first building's date from 1872, and inside tell the story of Saint Mary MacKillop and the early Sisters who came to the Diocese of Bathurst. Learn how the Sisters provided education for children in small country towns throughout the Central West.

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