13 kids’ activities in Bathurst, NSW
1. Explore Bathurst Adventure Playground
Address: Durham St & Hope Street, Bathurst NSW 2795
Bathurst Adventure Playground is an easy and exhilarating outdoor activity for kids big and small. Nestled in Victoria Park, just a short walk from the city centre, this large outdoor play space gives children plenty of room to climb, run, swing, slide and explore.
The playground has a fun dinosaur theme, with sculptures, footprints and sound-activated dinosaur noises to discover. Kids can dig and play in the large sandpit, test their balance in the stockyard maze, race down the slides, climb the rock wall or take a turn on the dual flying fox.
It’s also a practical choice for families, with picnic tables, BBQ facilities, shaded areas, seating, walking paths and public toilets nearby. It includes accessible features too, welcoming children with different mobility and play needs.
A tip for parents: Pack snacks or lunch and make it a picnic stop. There’s enough play equipment here to keep kids busy for a while, especially if they love dinosaurs, climbing or flying foxes.
2. Marvel at dinosaur fossils and sparkling crystals
Address: 224 Howick St, Bathurst NSW 2795
The Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum is one of the best things to do in Bathurst with kids, especially for children who love dinosaurs, gemstones, science or natural history.
Tucked away in a restored 1876 school building, this museum is home to the internationally recognised Somerville Collection, featuring thousands of fossils, minerals and crystals from Australia and around the world.
The biggest highlight for most kids is the towering T. rex skeleton. It’s hard to miss and makes a great first stop before exploring the rest of the fossil gallery. Families can also look for dinosaur eggs, fossils preserved in amber, opalised fossils, ancient fish fossils and a sabre-tooth cat skull.
The mineral gallery is just as impressive, with colourful crystals, raw gemstones, crystallised gold and specimens from more than 100 Australian mine sites. Even kids who aren’t usually interested in rocks will be drawn in by this glistening rainbow of a collection.
This museum is educational without feeling too heavy. The displays are easy to follow, visually engaging and well suited to visitors of all ages.
3. Watch tiny trains at the Bathurst Rail Museum
Address: 126 Havannah St, Bathurst NSW 2795
The Bathurst Rail Museum is one of the best things to do in Bathurst with kids, especially if your little ones love trains, history or hands-on play.
Housed inside the Railway Institute building, this museum brings Bathurst’s railway past to life through interactive displays, local stories and a mesmerising model railway.
This model recreates the Main West line between Tarana and Bathurst during the 1950s and 1960s. Kids can watch working miniature trains travel past teensy towns, people, vehicles and countryside scenes.
Younger children will love Kids Central, a dedicated play space featuring one of the world’s largest permanent BRIO train layouts. There’s also a cute cubby house inspired by Bathurst Railway Station, giving little ones plenty of room to play, build and imagine.
Grab a drink or snack from the Refreshment Room café and take a look at the historic red rail carriage outside before you go.
4. Savour a scoop at Annie’s Ice Cream Parlour
Address: 82/86 George St, Bathurst NSW 2795
Annie’s Ice Cream Parlour is a favourite Bathurst stop for families, especially after a morning of sightseeing or outdoor play.
Perched on George Street near the heart of town, this old-fashioned ice cream shop serves a wide range of flavours, from classic favourites to locally inspired options like Sofala Gold honeycomb.
Step inside and you’ll find a bright parlour with booth seating, retro décor and plenty of delights to choose from. Along with scoops and cones, Annie’s also offers yummy desserts like pancakes, waffles, milkshakes and thickshakes.
Once everyone has chosen their sweet treat, take a short stroll through Bathurst’s town centre. You can wander past the gardens at nearby Machattie Park or explore one of Bathurst’s prettiest historic precincts.
5. Pan for gold
Gold fossicking is one of the most memorable things to do with kids near Bathurst, especially for families who love outdoor adventures.
The Bathurst region played an important role in Australia’s gold rush history, with early gold discoveries recorded near the Fish River in the 1820s.
Today, families can still try their luck at approved fossicking areas around the region. Tambaroora Fossicking Area, just north of Hill End, is a popular spot for beginners and day trippers, giving kids the chance to pan for small flecks of gold in a real goldfields setting.
Hill End and Sofala are also worth exploring if you want to turn the experience into a full day out, with historic streets, old mining stories and plenty of gold rush charm.
For first-timers, a guided gold panning tour is usually the easiest option. A local guide can show kids how to use a pan, where to look, what gold actually looks like and how to fossick safely without damaging the environment.
A tip for parents: Start with the Bathurst Visitor Information Centre for current advice on where to fossick, whether you need permission or a permit, and where to find gold pans and equipment.
6. Take a night tour of Abercrombie House
Address: 311 Ophir Rd, Bathurst NSW 2795
Abercrombie House is one of Bathurst’s most memorable family attractions, and is sure to be a stand out for kids who love a slightly spooky adventure.
Built in the 1870s by the Stewart family, this grand Scottish-baronial mansion is now cared for by the Morgan family, who have spent decades restoring the house, gardens and surrounding grounds.
Inside, families can explore reception rooms, bedrooms, corridors, staircases, collections and the impressive ballroom. With dozens of rooms and stories from different eras, this home feels more like stepping into a real-life time capsule than walking through a typical museum.
For something extra special, check whether a children’s night tour is running during your visit. These torchlight tours are designed for school-aged kids and give families a fun, atmospheric way to experience the house after dark.
On selected dates, Abercrombie House also hosts high tea, where families can enjoy sweet and savoury treats in a grand heritage building.
7. Brave the underground mine at History Hill
Address: 3458 Hill End Road, Hill End NSW 2850
History Hill is a gold rush museum and underground mine near Hill End Historic Site, making it a great day trip for families in Bathurst. Located about an hour away, this attraction gives kids a real sense of what life was like during the 1870s gold rush.
The highlight is the underground mine experience, where you can walk through 175 metres of mine tunnels and see the conditions miners once worked in. It’s a memorable way for kids to learn about gold mining on the ground.
Above ground, the History Hill Museum is packed with more than 10,000 gold rush and colonial-era artefacts, including mining tools, historic photos, gold scales, steam engines, geology displays and everyday objects from the goldfields.
It’s also an easy stop before or after exploring Hill End, the historic village just a stone’s throw from where the world’s biggest gold nugget was discovered!
8. Get behind the wheel at the National Motor Racing Museum
Address: 400 Panorama Ave, Bathurst NSW 2795
Nestled beside the 6.2 km Mount Panorama racing circuit, the National Motor Racing Museum is a must-visit for families with car lovers, racing fans or curious kids who enjoy seeing real machines up close.
Inside, you’ll find a vast collection of racing cars, motorbikes, trophies, race suits, photographs and memorabilia celebrating the rich history of Australian motorsport. While the Bathurst 1000 is a major focus, the museum also explores other forms of racing, including touring cars, motorcycles, speedway, rallying and open-wheel racing.
Kids will love spotting famous race cars, watching historic racing footage and learning why Mount Panorama is such a big part of Australian sports.
For a more interactive experience, head to the Immersive Room, where the sights and sounds of motorsport give visitors a taste of the speed, noise and atmosphere of racing at Bathurst.
After your visit, you can also drive around the race track, as it operates as a public road outside race events. Just follow the posted speed limits.
9. Visit a gold rush era village
Address: Denison St., Sofala NSW 2795
About a 40-minute drive north of Bathurst, Sofala is wonderful for families who want to explore gold rush history without stepping inside a museum.
Often described as Australia’s oldest surviving gold-rush town, Sofala is a small historic village with weathered shopfronts, old cottages, country streets and plenty of 1850s character.
Start with a wander along Denison Street, where kids can imagine what the town looked like when thousands of gold seekers arrived during the rush. It feels like a step back in time, with enough space to explore at an easy family pace.
You can also make a bigger day of it by visiting nearby Wattle Flat. The Buurree Walking Trail is a marked circular bushwalk through open woodland, with yellow trail markers and views across the Turon Valley.
10. Enjoy a picnic in Mayfield Garden
Address: 530 Mayfield Road, Oberon NSW 2787
Mayfield Garden is a beautiful child-friendly destination, with tree-lined paths, open spaces and seasonal blooms around every turn. Located near Oberon, this European-inspired garden spans 65 hectares, including a hedge maze, and gives families plenty of room to wander, play and enjoy a slower day outdoors.
Kids can have fun navigating the maze, spotting ducks on the lake, and crossing stone bridges, while parents can enjoy the scenery, fresh air and changing colours throughout the year.
It’s also a great spot for a family picnic. You can bring your own food or stop at the on-site café for breakfast, lunch, coffee or something sweet before heading back into the gardens.
11. Adventure through Abercrombie Caves
Address: Caves Road, Abercrombie River NSW 2795
Set to reopen in mid 2026, Abercrombie Caves is one of the most impressive natural attractions near Bathurst. You’ll find them within Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve, an area known for its limestone caves, bushwalking trails, and waterfalls.
The highlight is Archway Cave, home to the largest natural arch in the southern hemisphere. Families can explore vast limestone chambers, dramatic rock formations and cave walkways that make the experience feel exciting without being too overwhelming for kids.
A guided cave experience is a great way to help children understand how stalactites, stalagmites and limestone formations are created over thousands of years.
The reserve also offers plenty to enjoy above ground, including walking trails, picnic spots and views across the surrounding bushland.
A tip for parents: Check the NSW National Parks website before you visit, as Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve has been closed for flood repairs. Once reopened, book tours in advance where required and bring sturdy shoes, water and a jumper, as caves can feel a little chilly!
12. Take a dip at Wallaby Rocks Crossing
Address: 557 Hill End Rd, Crudine NSW 2795
Take a trip to Wallaby Rocks Crossing, a peaceful spot set on the Turon River. It has shady riverbanks, rocky scenery and calm sections of water where kids can cool off on a warm day. You can also enjoy a picnic by the river, look for smooth stones, watch the water flow past or try a quiet afternoon of fishing.
This is a simple, back-to-nature stop rather than a built-up attraction, so come prepared. Bring towels, water shoes, sunscreen, drinking water, snacks and anything else you need for the day.
Wallaby Rocks is also close to Sofala, so you can pair your river visit with a wander through the historic town. It’s a good option if you want to break up a day of sightseeing with something relaxed and outdoorsy.
13. Wander through Bathurst Regional Art Gallery
Address: 70/78 Keppel St, Bathurst NSW 2795
For a calm indoor activity away from the heat, head to Bathurst Regional Art Gallery on Keppel Street. While younger children may prefer a shorter visit, older kids and teenagers can enjoy exploring the different exhibition spaces, spotting unusual artworks and talking about what they see.
The gallery’s collection includes paintings, sculpture, works on paper, photography and ceramics by a wide range of Australian artists, making it a strong choice for creative families or anyone wanting a break from outdoor attractions.
Because exhibitions change throughout the year, every visit can feel different. You might find bold contemporary installations, works from well-known Australian artists, or historical exhibitions connected to the nearby goldfields village of Hill End.
A tip for parents: Pair your visit with Bathurst Library next door if younger children need a little downtime.
Find high-quality childcare near Bathurst
Bathurst is jam-packed with fun, family-friendly places to explore, from caves and creeks to museums and mansions. No matter what your child enjoys, there are plenty of ways to keep them active, curious and entertained.
For families looking for trusted childcare near Bathurst, Juniors Journey is only a short drive away in Eglinton. Our early learning centre welcomes children from 6 weeks to 6 years old, providing long daycare and a government-approved preschool program from Monday to Friday, 7 am to 6 pm.
Led by qualified early childhood educators, our play-based learning approach helps children build confidence, develop new skills and grow at their own pace in a supportive space.
Book a tour, enrol your child or speak with our team to find out more.
