Bathurst located on the banks of the Macquarie River was proclaimed a town in 1815, then with the discovery of gold, it experienced rapid growth in the 1850s and '60s. Today one of Australia's fastest-growing modern regional cities it is just two and a half hours drive from Sydney.
Bathurst and its surrounding areas saw much of the beginnings of Australian colonial settlement - being, Australia's first inland settlement with Bathurst Australia's oldest inland city.
Once the explorers had conquered the mountains, Australia's future was ensured and so began the natural route to the west.
Once the explorers had conquered the mountains, Australia's future was ensured and so began the natural route to the west.
