The Central West is where you can see Australian history come alive right before your eyes. The area gradually changes from rolling agricultural land in to the harsh, roughness of the western region of New South Wales. The region holds some of the earliest inland towns in Australia and many significant historic places.

The area covers a wide diversity of Australian history from the historical towns and architecture as well as Australia’s pioneering past in places such as Bathurst, Gulgong and Sofala to the food, wine and hospitality areas of Cowra, Orange and Mudgee. In between you will find fascinating attractions like the Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo and the Radio Telescope in Parkes, which was used when man first walked on the moon.

Bathurst was Australia's first major inland city and was the focus of the first Gold Rush in 1851. Today Bathurst is best known for Mt Panorama motor racing circuit, which holds a big race each year in October. Around the area of Bathurst you will also find many interesting places like the magnificent Abercrombie Caves and the historic town of Sofala.

The town of Mudgee is located around 125km north of Bathurst and is famous for its wineries and honey production. Mudgee is rapidly growing the reputation as a centre for gourmet food and wine. The old gold town of Gulgong is also found in the area around Mudgee and was the hometown of well known author Henry Lawson.

The city of Dubbo is a large agricultural town surrounded by sheep stations and cattle country. The biggest attraction to this area is the Western Plain Zoo, which is the largest open range zoo in Australia. Here you can see rare and exotic animals as well as Australian native animal roam the zoo freely.

Orange is a prosperous old city set in rich red volcanic soil. Set on the slopes of Mt Canobolas, the area is famous for its fruit. Surprisingly the area does not grow oranges and it is mostly known for growing apples. Mt Canobolas has a 2400ha park and flora and fauna sanctuary with many walking tracks.

Parkes is a commercial and industrial centre of an important agricultural area. On the outskirts of town is Kelly Reserve, with a lovely bush setting for picnics. The Shrine of Remembrance offers vies of the country centre. Here you will also find the Radio Telescope used when man landed on the moon. The Australian Film made "The Dish the town famous "The Dish".

New South Wales lies in the temperate zone and the climate is generally free from extremes of heat and cold. The greatest heat is usually experienced in the north west and out back regions of NSW. The coldest region is the Snowy Mountains, where winter frosts and snow are experienced over long periods. Rainfall varies widely over the state, gradually diminishing to an annual average of 180 mm in the far north west.

The climate along the coast is temperate and slightly humid in NSW and the temperatures get cooler the further south you travel along the coast. The deserts of the outback regions experience hot days and cold nights. Irregular floods and droughts occur in the north and western regions, some times due to the El Nino effect.