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Central West (New South Wales)

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Overview

The Central West is a region in central New South Wales, Australia. The region stretches from Lithgow in the east and to as far west as Lake Cargelligo, on the Lachlan River. The Central West is known for its attractions such as the Jenolan Caves, near Oberon and also wineries, as well as rural farmland and natural landscapes. The region includes major towns like Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee, Lithgow, Parkes and Cowra. It has an area of 63,262 square kilometres (24,426 sq mi). The region also includes the sub-region known as the Central Tablelands, located in the eastern part of the region. The region known as the Orana, which includes the area surrounding Dubbo is typically classed as being a part of the Central West also.

Major population and service centres in the Central West include Bathurst, Cowra, Lithgow, Mudgee, Orange, and Parkes. Bathurst and Orange are home to campuses of Charles Sturt University, and Lithgow housing the University of Notre Dame Regional Clinical School.

Facts

Rank

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Coordinates

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

From Wikipedia740 words

WBP editorial3

Road‑trip rhythm between towns

The Central West’s real charm emerges when you swap the air‑conditioned comfort of a tour bus for a rented car and let the landscape dictate the itinerary. Start in Bathurst, where the historic motor racing circuit offers a glimpse into Australia’s automotive heritage, then roll westward along the Mitchell Highway. The stretch between Orange and Mudgee rewards you with rolling vineyards that are surprisingly cool‑climate, producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay rivaling those of the Yarra Valley. A detour to the small settlement of Canowindra, famed for its quirky antique shops, adds an unexpected pause. Finish at Parkes, where the iconic radio telescope pierces the night sky, and you’ll have a cross‑section of the region’s agricultural, industrial and scientific facets, each linked by a road that feels more like a ribbon of discovery than a transit route.

Seasonal subtleties for outdoor pursuits

While the Central West enjoys a temperate climate overall, the timing of your visit can tilt the balance between crisp bushwalks and relaxed vineyard tours. Autumn, from late April to early May, brings a gentle cooling and a burst of ochre foliage that deepens the visual impact of the Jenolan Caves’ limestone formations. Winter mornings, though brisk, are ideal for low‑crowd visits to the region’s historic homesteads, where the stone walls retain a quiet warmth. Spring sees the Lachlan River swell, creating fertile floodplains that attract birdwatchers eager for migratory flocks. Summer, despite higher temperatures, offers extended daylight for cyclists tackling the scenic routes between Lithgow’s escarpments and the open plains near Lake Cargelligo. Adjusting your itinerary to these micro‑seasonal shifts ensures a more nuanced experience.

Beyond the vineyards: food culture rooted in the land

Food lovers often skim past the Central West’s culinary narrative, assuming it mirrors the broader NSW scene. In fact, the region’s isolation from coastal influences has fostered a distinctive palate anchored in hearty, farm‑sourced fare. Look beyond the cellar doors: small towns host pop‑up markets where local dairy farms showcase artisanal cheeses aged in cool, limestone cellars, echoing the nearby cave systems. The sheep and beef stations surrounding Cowra supply robust roasts that, when paired with a glass of cool‑climate Shiraz, reveal a harmony absent in urban eateries. Seasonal bush tucker—pepperberries, warrigal greens, and native quandongs—makes regular appearances in menus, offering visitors a taste of the land’s wild bounty. Engaging with these culinary practices provides insight into the region’s self‑reliant identity.

Introduction

For other uses, see Central West. Region in New South Wales, AustraliaRegion in New South Wales, AustraliaCentral WestRegionThe CSIRO Radio Telescope at ParkesCentral WestCoordinates: 33°14′S 149°11′E / 33.233°S 149.183°E / -33.233; 149.183CountryAustraliaStateNew South WalesLGA Bathurst Regional Council Blayney Shire Cabonne Shire Cowra Shire Forbes Shire Lachlan Shire City of Lithgow Mid-Western Regional Council Oberon Shire City of Orange Parkes Shire Weddin Shire Location 200 km (120 mi) W of Sydney Government • State electoratesBathurstCootamundraDubboOrangeBarwon • Federal divisionsCalareRiverinaParkesArea • Total55,754 km2 (21,527 sq mi)Population • Total212,962 (2021 census) • Density3.81967/km2 (9.89291/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+10 (AEST) • Summer (DST)UTC+11 (AEDT) Regions around Central West Orana Upper Hunter Hunter Orana Central West Blue Mountains (Greater Sydney) South West Slopes Riverina Southern Tablelands The Central West is a region in central New South Wales, Australia. The region stretches from Lithgow in the east and to as far west as Lake Cargelligo, on the Lachlan River. The Central West is known for its attractions such as the Jenolan Caves, near Oberon and also wineries, as well as rural farmland and natural landscapes. The region includes major towns like Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee, Lithgow, Parkes and Cowra. It has an area of 63,262 square kilometres (24,426 sq mi). The region also includes the sub-region known as the Central Tablelands, located in the eastern part of the region. The region known as the Orana, which includes the area surrounding Dubbo is typically classed as being a part of the Central West also. Major population and service centres in the Central West include Bathurst, Cowra, Lithgow, Mudgee, Orange, and Parkes. Bathurst and Orange are home to campuses of Charles Sturt University, and Lithgow housing the University of Notre Dame Regional Clinical School.

Cities and towns

[edit] The Central West includes the large regional centres of Bathurst and Orange; the towns of Cowra, Mudgee, Lithgow and Parkes; and smaller centres, such as Blayney, Canowindra, Condobolin, Eugowra, Forbes, Grenfell, Gulgong, Kandos, Lake Cargelligo, Millthorpe, Molong, Oberon, Peak Hill, Portland, Rylstone, and Wallerawang. Demography and area[edit] The following local government areas are contained within the region: Population by Local Government Area Central West rank Local Government Area Population as of 30 June 2016 10 year growth rate Population density (people/km2) 1 Bathurst Regional 42,389 14.8 11.1 2 Orange City 41,384 13.8 145.6 3 Mid-Western Regional 24,569 13.5 2.8 4 Lithgow City 21,524 6.6 4.8 5 Parkes Shire 14,946 2.4 2.5 6 Cabonne Shire 13,625 7.8 2.3 7 Cowra Shire 12,673 -0.6 4.5 8 Forbes Shire 9,808 2.8 2.1 9 Blayney Shire 7,418 10.0 4.9 10 Lachlan Shire 6,352 -7.0 0.4 11 Oberon Shire 5,399 4.2 1.5 12 Weddin Shire 3,692 -0.8 1.1 Central West 209,810 8.5 3.0

Media

[edit] The Central West has several radio stations, including ABC Central West, 2BS 95.1FM, B-Rock FM, Life Radio AM 1629khz, 97.9 2LVR (a community radio station), 105.1 2GZFM, 105.9 Star FM, Radio 2LT, 107.9 Move FM, 95.5 ROK FM, 107.5 Community Radio, 103.5 Rhema FM and 1089AM — a commercial station that gets most of its programming from 2SM in Sydney. Other electronic media are represented by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation with both television and radio broadcasting; and by television stations Prime7, Nine, and Southern Cross 10. Two major newspapers are published in the region, the Central Western Daily newspaper is published in Orange and the Western Advocate in Bathurst. Numerous other local papers serve the remaining large towns.

History

[edit] The Central West area was originally inhabited by the Wiradjuri people. The first British explorer, George Wilson Evans, entered the Lachlan Valley in 1815. He named the area the Oxley Plains after his superior the surveyor-general, John Oxley. In 1817 he deemed the area unfit for settlement. A Military Depot was established not long after at Soldiers Flat near present-day Billimari. Arthur Ranken and James Sloan, from Bathurst, were amongst the first European settlers on the Lachlan. They moved to the area in 1831. In the 1850s many gold prospectors passed through headed for gold fields at Lambing Flat (Young) and Grenfell.