Want to discover somewhere new on your next couples escape? Bathurst is a charming – yet underrated – romantic getaway destination. From wandering heritage streets to sharing a glass at a local winery, this is a great place to slow down and reconnect.
- 3 min read
Where to order a coffee
Enjoy a coffee date over a locally roasted brew by Fish River Roasters at The Hub. Enjoy a sweet and savoury breakfast of Sri Lankan fried eggs, buttermilk pancakes, smashed avocado and more. Best of all, enjoy it guilt-free as The Hub uses biodegradable and recyclable materials where possible to minimise their environmental footprint.
Where to get a dose of arts and culture
Pop into Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) and stroll the light-filled rooms while you check out the latest exhibitions and projects by local artists. Find an artwork from the permanent collection you both love – maybe one of Australian landscape artist Lloyd Rees’ sublime drawings, or one of the machinery-inspired monuments by pioneering sculptor, Robert Klippel.
Where to fall in love with history
There’s nothing quite like a high tea in gorgeous surrounds to up the romance quotient. Head to Abercrombie House, a grand 52-room country mansion dating back to the 1870s. Built as an ode to the great Scottish homes early pioneers left behind on their journey to Australia, it’s been lovingly restored to its original condition over several generations. High tea is served in the elegant surrounds of the ballroom. Savour loose-leaf teas and plunger coffee as well as sweet and savoury treats, serenaded by live music.
Abercrombie House, Bathurst
Where to go wine tasting
What’s a romantic break without a jaunt around a region’s cellar doors to discover a new favourite drop or two? With an elevation of 650 metres above sea level, the Bathurst region produces small-batch wines of great character. Make an appointment for a tasting at Renzaglia Wines, overlooking the O’Connell Valley, and meet winemakers Mark Renzaglia and his son Sam as you sip your way through their offerings.
Renzaglia Wines, Bathurst - Credit: Renzaglia Wines
Where to sample local whisky
Set on a heritage estate and working farm, drop by Bathurst Grange Distillery. Book in for a tasting and tour, during which you’ll sample whisky and gin infused with mint and rosemary grown right on site in the old tin shed (that’s also serves as the tasting room). See the century-old graveyard that is the final resting place of the property's original owners and gaze at the Blue Mountains from the distillery window.
Bathurst Grange Distillery, Bathurst
Where to have elevated pub fare
Enjoy a short drive to the picturesque village of Rockley with its quaint 19th-century period buildings. Lunch at The Rockley Pub is a must-do, but book ahead for a weekend table as word is out that celebrity chef owner, Matt Moran, is dishing out top-notch pub fare.
Where to order a cocktail
Find your new favourite cocktail or nightcap at the saloon-style Dogwood, BX. Owner Evan Stanley has been awarded Australian Bartender of the Year in the past, and perfected his craft over 15 years of working in hospitality venues across Melbourne, including the popular Black Pearl Fitzroy and Le Bon Ton. The Bloody Mary is a popular order here.
Dogwood, BX, Bathurst - Credit: Dogwood, BX
Where to have a romantic dinner date
Kick back in a picturesque beer garden with a woodfired pizza, ice-cold beer or the signature espresso martini at Church Bar + Woodfired Pizza. The leafy courtyard is a secluded oasis tucked away from the main streets, while indoors offers quiet candle-lit corners.
Church Bar + Woodfire Pizza, Bathurst - Credit: Church Bar + Woodfire PIzza
Where to catch a show
When the sun goes down, Bathurst’s city centre turns on the charm. Check Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre’s events calendar and time your visit to coincide with a show you’ll both love. The performing arts centre hosts everything from comedy to classical music, opera to theatre, as well as contemporary touring music; pop legend Amy Shark and award-winning First Nations singer songwriter Archie Roach have both graced this stage.
Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, Bathurst - Credit: Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre
Where to stay in town
Enjoy a romantic weekend away at Littlebourne. Built in 1830, the boutique stay has since been transformed into one of the oldest (but luxurious) guesthouses in NSW. With nearly 100 varieties of roses and heritage shrubs in their extensive garden, explore the estate before soaking in a bubble bath.
Littlebourne Guest House, Bathurst - Credit: Littlebourne Guest House
Where to go off-grid
Disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature at Glasshouse Cabins. Situated within a vast 3000-acre farm on Oakhill Estate, these ultra-luxury glass cabins allow guests to sleep under the stars and enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding mountainous countryside. A conservation-based retreat, enjoy a sustainable getaway complete with an outdoor fire pit to roast marshmallows over.
Oakhill Estate Glasshouse Cabins, Clear Creek - Credit: Oakhill Estate
