Local History
The Bathurst region has been inhabited by the Wiradjuri people for over 60,000 years.
The Wiradjuri people are the people of the three rivers – the Wambool (Macquarie), the Calare (Lachlan) and the Murrumbidgee. The Bathurst Wiradjuri were the most easterly grouping of the Wiradjuri nation. Their totem is the goanna.
Today there are many Australian First Nations people who have relocated here and actively contribute to the economic, social, cultural and political life of the region.
Bathurst is the oldest European inland settlement in New South Wales.
Discover more about Australian First Nations history and culture
Bathurst Library's Local History collection contains resources relating to the rich history, geography and environment of the region.
We have books, journals, newspapers dating back to the 1840s, topographic and parish maps, plans and unique photographs.
Gregory Photographic Collection
A collection of contact prints made from glass-plate negatives that are in the custody of the Bathurst District Historical Society. These images date from the 1890s to the 1920s and originate from the studio of Albert Gregory. Low resolution copies are available to search on the Bathurst Library catalogue.
Main Street Study Photographs
William and George Streets, Bathurst: the collection is an invaluable photographic record of the buildings of major historical significance in the Bathurst CBD, including those which have been demolished. There are approximately 1,000 images, sourced mainly from the Bathurst District Historical Society.
Bathurst Newspapers
Bathurst Library has local newspapers on microfilm that you can view in the library. These include Bathurst Advocate, Bathurst Daily Argus, Bathurst Free Press, Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal, Bathurst Post, Bathurst Times, National Advocate, Western Independent, Western Times and Western Advocate.
Access Bathurst Newspapers online
Bathurst Recollections
Share your recollections, anecdotes and stories of Bathurst to preserve in our Local History Collection. The library wants to preserve stories from all parts of the community so our record of history reflects the increasing diversity of the Bathurst region.
Submit you Recollection
You can also pick up a hardcopy form from the library.
‘Manly Beach’ on the river
This digital display features historical photos and newspaper articles about the Macquarie-Wambuul River, particularly the swimming spot nicknamed ‘Manly Beach’.
Watch ‘Manly Beach’ on the River
From Coal to Gold
From coal to gold is the result of a project which brought together a team from Lithgow and Bathurst Libraries aiming to enhance our local history collections.