Two hundred kilometers from Sydney, in Australia, is the city of Bathurst, New South Wales. In 2006 a population census was conducted which established that there were 28,992 residents. The area was originally inhabited by the Aboriginal Wiradjuri tribe.

Anyone planning to visit this city will find outstanding shopping centers, a vibrant business sector, excellent restaurants and  entertainment facilities and great Bathurst nsw hotels. Bathurst is well known for its warm hospitality. It is the oldest inland city in Australia and was already in existence when the first colonial settlers arrived.

During 1815, it was granted status as a town. Following the discovery of gold, the area experienced an extremely prosperous and rapid growth between the 1850s and the 1860s. It is currently one of Australia’s fastest developing cities and can be easily accessed by plane, train or car. Its fascinating history and heritage has made it a popular tourist destination.

An old 1876 school building, which underwent a major refurbishment, is home to the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. It houses an internationally acclaimed collection of minerals and fossils. The biggest attention-grabber is an imposing Tyrannosaurus Rex which has a length of 10 meters.

You can also see dinosaur eggs and a 40 million year old lizard. The museum has over 2,000 displays which are exhibited in two sections. The one section is known as the Minerals Gallery which houses rare and beautiful minerals; the other is called the MasterFoods Fossil Gallery.

Train enthusiasts will be intrigued with the Bathurst Miniature Railway at the John Matthews Sporting Complex. It features 600 meters of track and visitors are able to take train rides on certain days if the weather permits. If you fancy a ride, be sure to wear covered shoes or you will not be permitted on the train.

The acclaimed Mount Panorama Racing Track is just outside the city. It was established in 1938 and was named the Mount Panorama Scenic Drive. Later, it became the bona fide home of Australian motor racing. What started out as a dusty country road has become one of the world’s leading motor racing circuits. It is 6.2 kilometers long and is situated almost 2800 feet above sea level.

A Bathurst attraction that you must not miss is the Jenolan Caves. Here, you will see the most wonderful formations in colors like pink, milk white, brown and orange. There is a total of 9 show caves plus 4 adventure caves, all of which are open to the public. Guided tours take place every day of the year. You can also take a night tour, a theme or specialty tour, or try your hand at adventure caving. You can choose a beginner adventure where you will be helped by a guide all the time.