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 Bathurst War Memorial Carillon and Machattie Park.

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 Bathurst War Memorial Carillon or Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum.

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 Motor Racing Circuit or Mount Panorama Winery while you're exploring the area.

Mount Panorama
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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
Lake Lyell featuring a river or creek and landscape views

South Bowenfels

You'll enjoy the restaurants and spas in South Bowenfels. You might want to make time for a stop at Lake Lyell or Marrangaroo National Park.

South Bowenfels
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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
West End Motor Lodge

West End Motor Lodge

3.5 out of 5
2-6 Dalton Street Orange NSW
The price is P5,324 per night from Feb 25 to Feb 26
P5,324
P6,680 total
Feb 25 - Feb 26
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Orange. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
Reception staff were lovely. Room clean and good location. Would stay again.

Reviewed on Feb 16, 2026

West End Motor Lodge
Parkview Hotel Orange

Parkview Hotel Orange

3 out of 5
281 Summer St Orange NSW
The price is P4,380 per night from Mar 1 to Mar 2
P4,380
P4,819 total
Mar 1 - Mar 2
includes taxes & 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. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (829 reviews)
Very nice room, clean and comfortable. Amazing food. Friendly staff. Would stay again.

Reviewed on Feb 16, 2026

Parkview Hotel Orange
Central Caleula Motor Lodge

Central Caleula Motor Lodge

4.5 out of 5
60 Summer Street Orange NSW
The price is P6,301 per night from Mar 1 to Mar 2
P6,301
P6,931 total
Mar 1 - Mar 2
includes taxes & 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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (943 reviews)
Room was clean and comfortable. A toaster, some plates and cutlery would be great. No means of being able to make breakfast yourself in the morning. Staff were fantastic. Very friendly and helpful. Would definitely stay again.

Reviewed on Feb 16, 2026

Central Caleula Motor Lodge
See all 691 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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,919 reviews)
Please improve cleanliness, the room appears dusty

Reviewed on Feb 5, 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 ...
7.8/10 Good! (369 reviews)
Not clean, one bed looked unwashed sheets, smelly bathroom, improved after fan filter cleaned by us. Obviously not ever cleaned. Looked black. Also not enough utensils plates etc for 4 people as per booking.

Reviewed on Feb 10, 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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (210 reviews)
Fabulous little retreat especially as I navigated a stressful situation (attending court) Kerry was extremely efficient and easy to deal with. Lovely clean vowel appointed space. Very grateful for refund for one night as I finished early.

Reviewed on Feb 1, 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

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Jenolan Caves during your travels in Jenolan. While you're here, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

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

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

Take the family on an outing to CSIRO Parkes Observatory during your trip to Parkes. While you're here, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

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

Hassans Wall Lookout

Find out about the history of Lithgow with a stop at Hassans Wall Lookout. Wander the gardens or discover the mountain views in this relaxing area.

Hassans Wall Lookout
Bathurst Courthouse featuring heritage architecture and an administrative buidling

Bathurst Courthouse

After visiting Bathurst Courthouse, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Bathurst. Take some time to visit the spas in this walkable area.

Bathurst Courthouse
The New South Wales central western town of Forbes.

Forbes

Old sheep station in Central West NSW

Cudal

🌿 #BestOf5

Newnes