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Do you love foraging for food, meeting talented artisans, or exploring historic castles? Take a road trip to Central NSW in early 2020 for some incredible events from Oberon’s Field to Forest Festival, Bathurst’s Heritage Trades Trail and Orange’s Food Week.

Events are the best time to visit and discover the big heart and legendary characters in the towns and villages of this region, which begins just two hours’ drive West from Sydney, as you descend the Blue Mountains. Coming up in early 2020:

  • Parkes Elvis Festival, Parkes (8 – 12 January) – Shake, rattle and roll your way to the 2020 Parkes Elvis Festival, where we’ll celebrate Elvis’ 1966 musical film, Frankie and Johnny. https://www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au/
  • Elton John Concert, Carrington Park, Bathurst (22 January) – Elton John picked Bathurst for his world famous ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour’. We’re rolling out the yellow brick road and look forward to celebrating together as a city. https://www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/summer/elton-john-yellow-brick-road-tour.html
  • Liqui-Moly 12 Hour, Bathurst (31 January – 2 February) – a race for GT3, GT4 and invited production-based or specialised endurance vehicles at Mount Panorama, this race is recognised around the world as one of the most significant races for GT vehicles on the calendar. bathurst12hour.com.au
  • Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival, Orange (17-24 February) – held in various locations around Orange with bush poetry, school performances, entertainment, markets and camp oven cooking to celebrate the Australian legend who was born here. visitorange.com.au/whats-on/festivals/banjo-paterson-australian-poetry-festival
  • Inland Sea of Sound, Bathurst (28-29 February) – A major festival of music, arts and culture staged in the iconic location of Wahluu, Mount Panorama. An outstanding line-up in 2020 includes Missy Higgins, Killing Heidi, Moju Juju, Lah Lah’s Big Band (for the kids) and many more as well as artists, local food stalls, bars and amazing kite flying.  https://www.inlandseaofsound.com.au/
  • Spartan Race, Oberon (7-8 March 2020) Spartan Race Australia will bring the Spartan Race series to Oberon for the first time in March 2020. With more than 250 events across more than 40 countries on six continents, Spartan is the world’s largest obstacle race and endurance brand. spartanrace.com.au
  • Heritage Trades Trail, Bathurst (28-29 March) – a cultural and educational journey around significant heritage sites in Bathurst, Australia’s oldest inland European settlement. The Trail features events and activates heritage places to showcase artisans practicing rare trades with demonstrations and exhibitions to celebrate the cultural, natural and built heritage. bathurstregion.com.au/bathurstheritagetradestrail
  • Cowra Festival of Understanding (3-5 April) – a unique event that celebrates diversity, 2020 will see Cowra celebrate one of Australia’s closest, neighbouring countries for the Festival of International Understanding, New Zealand. The weekend program includes a Festival dinner, street parade, sporting day and carnival. https://visitcowra.com.au/the-festival-of-international-understanding
  • Field to Forest Festival, Oberon (1- 30 April) – The Field to Forest Festival (F2F) returns for its second year and is a month-long array of activities in and around Oberon that explores the delicacies and rare finds that one can forage and discover. The activities include wild mushroom foraging tours with Detour Adventures, workshops and pine-forest lunches with Diego Bonetto, truffle hunts, a newly launched wine trail and producer events at The Long Arm Farm cafe. visitoberon.com
  • Iandra Castle Open Day, Weddin (12 April) – a magical piece of history, Iandra Castle is a heritage-listed homestead and a must-visit for its open days in October and April. It was established by George Henry Greene from 1878-1911 and represents a rare example of complete feudal-like estate, modelled on the English Manor System. iandracastle.com.au
  • Orange Food Week, Orange (5-27 April) – ‘The Food Basket of NSW’ comes alive to showcase the finest fresh produce and cool climate wines. Book in early for signature events including FORAGE, F.O.O.D Train and the 100 Mile Dinner. https://orangefoodweek.com.au/
  • Canowindra International Balloon Challenge (19-28 April) – each year the skies above Canowindra come alive with the roar of the burners and a visual spectacular provided when masses of hot air balloons take flight in competition, joy and commercial flying. During the Canowindra Balloon Challenge the town receives over 10,000 visitors. canowindrachallenge.org.au
  • Rainbow City Festival, Orange, (22-24 May) – Orange’s inaugural LGBTQI+ festival celebrating inclusion and diversity across the full spectrum of colour, gender and sexual orientation. Signature events and festival program announced soon.

Central NSW includes Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin. Unearth your Central NSW experience at www.visitcentralnsw.com.au