Road trip: Sydney to Dubbo

If you’re on the road in early spring, fields of canola provide a brilliant yellow welcome mat for Bathurst, Australia’s oldest inland city and the place where gold was first discovered in 1823. History buffs have to head to the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, home of the world renowned Somerville Collection of fossils (including a full size T. rex skeleton) and rare gems and minerals. 

The NRMA Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park is a fabulous place for families and couples alike to rest up after a long day, with a heated pool with waterslide. You can choose from cosy, gold rush inspired cabins, too. There’s also a camp kitchen for self-caterers.

Swing off the main shopping streets and grab a coffee at Hawkes General Store while browsing the range of eclectic wares in a reworked Federation home. Then pick up a heavenly sandwich, sausage roll or pastry at Racine Bakery, head to the 4.5ha Cook Park and find a spot by the rose garden – just mind the ducks don’t steal your lunch. Afterwards, take your pick of myriad award winning wineries, from Brangayne and Bloodwood to Ross Hill and Printhie, which recently won Best Australian Sparkling.

When evening arrives, treat yourself to an award winning meal at Lolli Redini or sip on the local wines at the Union Bank Bar and Dining. The Overlander also does some of the best Indian fare in regional Australia.

To truly steep yourself in the wine region, book a luxury Safari tent among the vines of Nashdale Lane. They feature a custom made kitchen, bathroom, four poster bed, dining table and barbecue and have gorgeous views of nearby vineyards. In town, the Central Caleula Motor Lodge is conveniently located with tasteful rooms and in house dining.

From here you can go direct to Dubbo on the Newell Highway, but for something a little different, head towards Yeoval, where you can peruse the creative efforts of local artists who have turned found objects into a sculpture trail of over 100 Animals on Bikes (the route starts just outside of Molong).

Next to Dubbo, you’ll find the famous Taronga Western Plains Zoo. The 6km circuit is perfect for cycling around (flat enough for even the most inexperienced riders) and seeing everything from the wild dogs and lions to hippos and meerkats in wide open surrounds. The daily talks are worth getting along to and, even if you miss some exhibits, the tickets are valid for two days so you can always visit in the morning.

But Dubbo is more than just the zoo so leave time at the end of the trip to take in some local history at the Old Dubbo Goal (there are nightly ghost tours), marvel at local art at the Western Plains Cultural Centre or just cool off at the local water park in Elston Park.

At the end of the day, put up your feet at the recently upgraded Dubbo City Holiday Park. Relax in the heated pool, let the kids burn off some energy in the covered playground or get the barbecue going before relaxing into one of the restful cabins or self contained units.