Central West

Travel Guide

We spent yesterday arvo bush-bashing down to the Zig Zag Railway viaducts above Lithgow, NSW and looking around the place for a few hours. In this shot you can see the No. 1 Viaduct on the Top Road track. A little further down is the larger No. 2 Viaduct. And on the Bottom Road (which is the train line near the bottom of this pic) is the No. 3 Viaduct. Comprising rock cuttings, classical sandstone viaducts and tunnels, the Lithgow Zig Zag was, and remains to this day, a magnificent piece of engineering. Construction of this part of the rail system began in 1866 and was completed by the late 1890s. The line was decommissioned in 1910 with the construction of the Ten Tunnels deviation which is still in use today by state rail. Back in the early 1970s, volunteers worked to bring the line back into operation as an iconic tourist railway which ran for decades, bringing with it tourism dollars to the wider Lithgow area. In 2013, a huge bushfire swept through the area and destroyed a lot of the infrastructure and equipment used by the Zig Zag Railway. Since that day work has proceeded to slowly bring the tourist train line back into operation It is hoped it'll be up and running again in the next year or so. Follow @zigzagrailway on Insta and Facebook for updates. For more pics of this awesome area, check out the 4WD Swagman facebook page. #zigzagrailway #lithgow #stoneviaduct #railway #bluemountains #djimavicpro
We spent yesterday arvo bush-bashing down to the Zig Zag Railway viaducts above Lithgow, NSW and looking around the place for a few hours. In this shot you can see the No. 1 Viaduct on the Top Road track. A little further down is the larger No. 2 Viaduct. And on the Bottom Road (which is the train line near the bottom of this pic) is the No. 3 Viaduct. Comprising rock cuttings, classical sandstone viaducts and tunnels, the Lithgow Zig Zag was, and remains to this day, a magnificent piece of engineering. Construction of this part of the rail system began in 1866 and was completed by the late 1890s. The line was decommissioned in 1910 with the construction of the Ten Tunnels deviation which is still in use today by state rail. Back in the early 1970s, volunteers worked to bring the line back into operation as an iconic tourist railway which ran for decades, bringing with it tourism dollars to the wider Lithgow area. In 2013, a huge bushfire swept through the area and destroyed a lot of the infrastructure and equipment used by the Zig Zag Railway. Since that day work has proceeded to slowly bring the tourist train line back into operation It is hoped it'll be up and running again in the next year or so. Follow @zigzagrailway on Insta and Facebook for updates. For more pics of this awesome area, check out the 4WD Swagman facebook page. #zigzagrailway #lithgow #stoneviaduct #railway #bluemountains #djimavicpro
Such a different perspective watching the dawn of a new day, from a hot air balloon
Waterfalls in the Blue Mountains #nature #australia
A fantastic place to stay when visiting the Blue Mountains area in Australia. Mornings like this and almost a dark sky for night / astrophotographers you just can’t go wrong. This is the actual view from the balcony of the room.

Where to stay in Central West

Bathurst featuring fall colors and a park

Bathurst CBD

While visiting Bathurst CBD, you might make a stop by sights like Machattie Park and Bathurst War Memorial Carillon.

Bathurst CBD
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Kelso

Kelso is well-liked for its restaurants. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Bathurst area, you might plan a trip to Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum or Bathurst War Memorial Carillon.

Kelso
National Motor Racing Museum which includes interior views

Mount Panorama

Unique features of Mount Panorama include the restaurants and spas. Make a stop by Mount Panorama Winery or Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit while you're exploring the area.

Mount Panorama
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Bowenfels

Though Bowenfels might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Eskbank House and Museum and Hassans Wall Lookout.

Bowenfels
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South Bathurst

You'll enjoy the restaurants and museums in South Bathurst. You might want to make time for a stop at Ray Morcom Reserve or Chifley Home.

South Bathurst
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Gormans Hill

While Gormans Hill might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Mount Panorama Winery and Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit.

Gormans Hill
See our Where To Stay guide
Parkview Hotel Orange

Parkview Hotel Orange

3 out of 5
281 Summer St Orange NSW
$72 nightly
The price is $80 total per night from Feb 8 to Feb 9
$80 total
Feb 8 - Feb 9
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Orange. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and air conditioning. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (825 reviews)
Good location clean room

Reviewed on Jan 8, 2026

Parkview Hotel Orange
Central Caleula Motor Lodge

Central Caleula Motor Lodge

4.5 out of 5
60 Summer Street Orange NSW
$103 nightly
The price is $114 total per night from Jan 30 to Jan 31
$114 total
Jan 30 - Jan 31
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this motel in Orange. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (934 reviews)
Everything was good, thank you!

Reviewed on Jan 13, 2026

Central Caleula Motor Lodge
Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst

Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst

4 out of 5
1 Conrod Straight Mount Panorama NSW
$119 nightly
The price is $131 total per night from Jan 26 to Jan 27
$131 total
Jan 26 - Jan 27
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Bathurst. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,910 reviews)
When we arrived it was earlier than we thought but the lovely lady on the desk found a room for us to get in straight away which was fantastic. It was a nice room which was nice and clean and would be fantastic to be there during Bathurst racing.

Reviewed on Jan 4, 2026

Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst
See all 673 properties in Central West
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst

Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst

4 out of 5
1 Conrod Straight Mount Panorama NSW
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Bathurst. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,910 reviews)
When we arrived it was earlier than we thought but the lovely lady on the desk found a room for us to get in straight away which was fantastic. It was a nice room which was nice and clean and would be fantastic to be there during Bathurst racing.

Reviewed on Jan 4, 2026

Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst
Bathurst Studio Apartments

Bathurst Studio Apartments

3.5 out of 5
44 Morrisset Street Bathurst NSW
Stay at this aparthotel in Bathurst. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum and Bathurst War Memorial ...
7.6/10 Good! (364 reviews)
The kettle was in need of a good clean or replacement as it don't look like it has ever been cleaned and not the motels fault but the dog next-door barked though the night when ever someone came or went very hard to sleep, bed was comfortably

Reviewed on Jan 4, 2026

Bathurst Studio Apartments
Apartments On The Park

Apartments On The Park

3.5 out of 5
35 Kite St Orange NSW
Stay at this apartment in Orange. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Cook Park and Orange City Centre Shopping Center are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (208 reviews)
This was a quaint little place with its own courtyard, kitchenette, skylights and comfortable bed while being in a quiet location, close to the Main Street. For my overnight work trip it was perfect and will be staying here again the next time I come through Orange.

Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026

Apartments On The Park
See all properties in Central West
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Jenolan Caves which includes caves

Jenolan Caves

5/5(11 reviews)

Descend into a world of beautiful limestone formations in this labyrinth of ancient chasms beneath a remote valley of Blue Mountains National Park.

Jenolan Caves
Mayfield Garden which includes landscape views, a small town or village and tranquil scenes

Mayfield Garden

Explore the great outdoors at Mayfield Garden, a lovely green space in Mayfield. Discover the mountain views while you're in the area.

Mayfield Garden
We spent yesterday arvo bush-bashing down to the Zig Zag Railway viaducts above Lithgow, NSW and looking around the place for a few hours. In this shot you can see the No. 1 Viaduct on the Top Road track. A little further down is the larger No. 2 Viaduct. And on the Bottom Road

Zig Zag Railway

5/5(1 review)

Enjoy an outing to Zig Zag Railway during your stay in Clarence. Wander the gardens or discover the mountain views in this relaxing area.

Zig Zag Railway
CSIRO Parkes Observatory

CSIRO Parkes Observatory

Home to an iconic landmark and fascinating educational exhibits, this attraction in Parkes makes for a fun, family-friendly day out.

CSIRO Parkes Observatory
Hassans Wall Lookout which includes a gorge or canyon and tranquil scenes

Hassans Wall Lookout

In a region of spectacular views, this lookout in the Blue Mountains offers one of the best vistas amid hiking trails and quaint towns.

Hassans Wall Lookout
Orange Botanic Gardens featuring fall colors

Orange Botanic Gardens

Stroll through a historic homestead that now operates as a beautiful botanic garden brimming with native and exotic plants and trees.

Orange Botanic Gardens

Cities near Central West

Bathurst featuring a small town or village and a park

Bathurst

Early morning views Cowra

Cowra

The New South Wales central western town of Forbes.

Forbes

Orange which includes a garden and autumn leaves

Orange

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