The annual program, featuring eight weeks of heritage and cultural events, was launched on Tuesday ahead of the first event this weekend.

Despite still being in COVID times, the program is just as full as in previous years.

Bathurst Regional Council's tourism and visitor services manager Dan Cove said the program will feature tours and activities that give people a unique insight into the Bathurst region.

"The tour program itself, the intent of that is behind the scenes stories, as much as anything else, that have built the Bathurst region," he said.

"A couple of highlights are the cemetery wander, which is always very popular; there's a huge range of activities at Abercrombie House - the night tours, kids tours, the high teas as well out there; and then there's a couple of tours around the CBD."

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While the program always appeals to locals, council won't overlook the opportunity to use the program to capitalise on the increased visitor interest in Bathurst.

Mr Cove said council is embarking on a diverse marketing campaign to promote aspects of the program to people outside of Bathurst.

"The Autumn Colours tours, the majority of that is local based ... but the bigger events, the trades trail and the Festival of Bells, we are aggressively promoting those to the Sydney market and the broader Central West," he said.

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Promotion is more important than ever, after the tourism and events industries took a massive hit in 2020.

"In 2020, COVID hit right at the start of the Autumn Colours Program, so effectively it was cancelled and the signature events, like the Heritage Trades Trail, didn't go ahead last year," Mr Cove said.

"It's a sign of the vitality of the industry that it is back, events are happening again, tickets are selling quickly, so people are excited to do these things again.

"As a region, it's important that we show we are open for business and everything is being done in a COVID-safe way.

"... The message is we're back and we're celebrating those aspects of the Bathurst region that are most important."

Hard copies of the Autumn Colours Program are at the visitor information centre or it can be found online. Tickets to events can be booked at bathurstregion.com.au.

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