New South Wales · Attraction
Machattie Park
Victorian grandeur in the city
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Machattie Park is one of Australia's most intact Victorian-era public parks, opened in 1890 on the site of the former Bathurst Gaol. Free to enter and open daily, it anchors the city centre with formal gardens, a cast-iron bandstand, a duck pond, a fernery and the ornate Crago Fountain. Each season brings a different spectacle, from cherry blossoms in spring to golden autumn foliage.
The park was named in honour of local physician Richard Machattie and laid out following the demolition of the old gaol in 1888. Its design retains all the principal elements of Victorian civic landscaping: symmetrical paths, a fernery and glasshouse, the Caretaker's Cottage, and Lake Spencer at its heart. The grand Crago Fountain and the smaller Monro drinking fountain were both installed in 1891 and remain in working order.
The bandstand hosts community concerts and events throughout the year, making the park a living part of Bathurst's social calendar. Picnic areas, shaded lawns and accessible pathways make it a natural meeting place for residents and a relaxing stop for visitors exploring the city centre on foot.
Machattie Park sits within easy walking distance of the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, the Bathurst Courthouse and the main shopping strip, making it a natural centrepiece for a half-day heritage walk.
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