Bathurst: 5 things to do on your next trip to the Central Tablelands

Bathurst is a gem of a destination in the Central Tablelands region of New South Wales. Many Australians head to New South Wales for Sydney and the beaches but fewer travellers venture west of the coast. As you'll discover with Bathurst, there are historical sites, breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders hidden in this part of the state.

All you need to do is check out the DriveNow website for a cheap car hire deal from Sydney Airport. Drive about 200km west and you'll reach your destination.

Here are five things to do when you're there.

Abercrombie House (pictured)

You can explore one of the region's heritage treasures with a tour guide or at your own pace.This Scottish-baronial mansion, which was build in the 1870s, features 50 rooms, exhibitions and displays. There's also 18 hectares of gardens with walking trails through beautiful landscapes.

National Motor Racing Museum

Mount Panorama is the scene of one of the world's most famous motor races. Right alongside it is the National Motor Racing Museum, perfect for car enthusiasts who aren't visiting in when the Bathurst 1000 is on. This way you can visit at any time of the year and still experience the best of Bathurst 1000 and the speedway's history.

Bald Hill Tourist Mine

Here you can learn about what life would have been like for a goldminer in the 1870s. Join a guided tour where you can step back in time and experience the challenges of working in an underground gold mine. You'll walk down original mine shafts, tunnels and even get to see the tools and techniques that miners would have used.

Bathurst Farm Experience

Now, this is one experience you wouldn't come across if you're living in the city! The Bathurst Farm Experience lets you see how a real farm operates, and it's very popular with children. They'll have the change to feed the chickens, join a pony ride and cuddle up to lambs. Bookings for the farm experience are essential.

Jenolan Caves

This is one of the oldest and most spectacular cave systems in the world. The Jenolan Caves are about an hour from Bathurst and the site is open every day of the year, so local tour guides can teach you about the underground rivers and formations that make up this intriguing world under the ground. Thrill seekers can even join night tours or go adventure caving.