Here are five things you can do if you don’t mind taking a drive:

Bathurst Aqua Park will be open for its first Australia Day. Sessions on the inflatable park will be running every hour from 10am to 4pm. People can also hire paddle boards from the kiosk and take them out on the water. To help enjoy the day, people can bring a picnic lunch and set themselves up on the bank.

Location: Chifley Dam

Time: 10am to 4pm

The Rockley Village Community Australia Day celebration will include a barbecue at Stevens Park. The Mill and Stables Museum will also be open. 

Location: Stevens Park, Budden Street

Time: 11am 

The Bridge Hotel at Perthville has invited people to come along for the afternoon to celebrate Australia Day. There will be a barbecue lunch and live music in the afternoon, with the bistro open for dinner in the evening. Misguided Missiles will provide music.

Location: 8 Bridge Street

Time: Barbecue lunch, 12pm | Live music, 2.30pm | Dinner, from 6pm

As they say, it’s ‘Mate against mate. Steak against steak’. It's time for the Great Sofala 'Jerk Off'. The Royal Hotel Sofala will host a beef, kangaroo, goat and sheep jerky competition. There will also be live music at the venue later in the evening, with Casey McFarlane set to perform. 

Location: Royal Hotel Sofala, Denison Street

Time: Jerky Competition, 2pm | Live music, 6pm to 10pm

Abercrombie House is well-known for its afternoon teas. To celebrate Australia Day, a high tea will be held at the property and feature an "Aussie twist". There will be sweet and savory treats, as well as leaf teas, ground plunger coffee and music. Tickets are available from the Bathurst Visitor Information Centre. 

Location: Abercrombie House, 311 Ophir Road

Time: From 2.30pm

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