Regional Road Trip
Make the most of your Winter School Holidays with a regional road trip the family will never forget!
Enjoy picturesque landscapes, easy driving distances between your destinations and experiences to delight the whole family as you follow our ultimate guide to discovering everything Bathurst and Dubbo have to offer.
Your Ideal Itinerary
Day One
Watch the views change from city streets, to mountain vistas and then wide open plains as you commence your regional road trip!
Kick off your trip in style with a world of affordable fun and excitement at the highly anticipated Bathurst Winter Festival. With as little as $5, you can hop on thrilling carnival rides, glide on the outdoor ice rink or completely lose yourself in the mind-bending Kaleidoscope mirror maze for just $12. Make the most of your trip and enjoy Brew & Bite on Friday 7 July and be treated to over 65 free activities, entertainment, installations, performances and acts, supported by slow cooked meats and delicious regional brews.
As night falls, the Bathurst cityscape will be transformed into a breathtaking display of colour and lights. Buildings will shine in stunning hues, creating a mesmerising ambiance. While strolling through the streets, visitors can unleash their inner gamer with an interactive multi-player arcade game hung along Court House Lane. It's a true delight for gaming enthusiasts of all ages.
Day Two
Awaken bright and early, grab a coffee and treat from a local favourite and hit the road to the Dubbo Region. Less than 2 hours drive from Bathurst is the charming town of Wellington – home to the astounding Wellington Caves and the expansive Burrendong Arboretum and Botanic Garden.
After you discover the underground, stop in town for a replenishing (and tasty) lunch and burn off some energy at the playground in Cameron Park, before you continue on to Dubbo. Head back in time for an afternoon stroll at the heritage listed Old Dubbo Gaol – or for the bravest visitors, take a twilight or night tour and experience the Gaol at its eerie best!
Day Three
Time for an unforgettable safari adventure at Taronga Western Plains Zoo! See hundreds of rare and endangered animals exploring by car, on foot or ride around on hired bikes or carts. Don’t miss the new Wildlife Hospital where you can discover first-hand how the Zoo's expert team heals the wild. Be sure to see the King of the Jungle at the amazing Lion Pride Lands precinct or make a splash and hire a pedal boat to explore the Savannah Lake, home to the Spider Monkeys and Lemurs. After your wild zoo adventure, spend your afternoon deep in the rich history of the beloved Flying Doctor at the immersive Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Experience.
Top tip: Looking for a great time AND great value? What if you could buy one ticket, in one transaction that gave you entry to four unforgettable experiences? Holidays should be enjoyable, so turn off the stress and dial up the fun with the Dubbo Region Great Big Adventure Pass! The Great Big Adventure Pass is a multi-ticket to Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Old Dubbo Gaol, the Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Experience and the Wellington Caves – and best of all the Pass gets you 20% off your entry to all four attractions!
Day Four
As you make your way home, don’t forget to do a hot lap around Mount Panorama, visit the Motor Racing Museum and get up close to forgotten Fossils at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. The best part – show your Dubbo Region Great Big Adventure Pass and receive 10% off your entry!
And if you’re still hungry for more, skip back through the winter festival and celebrate artistic and cultural diversity with sculptures standing, hanging and hidden through Machattie Park.
As you make your way out of the mountains and back into the city, share you Regional Road Trip with us by tagging @BathurstWinterFestival and @DubboCity and #WinterRegionalRoadTrip and go in the draw to win a thank you pack from Dubbo and Bathurst!
Start planning adventure to regional New South Wales this Winter School Holidays and get ready to unwind as the views change from city streets, to mountain vistas and then wide open plains - Bathurst to Dubbo - the ultimate Winter regional road trip!
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