Perched on the western edge of the Greater Blue Mountains, Oberon is a peaceful town surrounded by dense pine forests and tracts of wilderness. It’s clustered with heritage buildings, renowned for its cool climate gardens and features several museums detailing the town’s agricultural and wartime history.
Things to do in Oberon
Discover the people, industries and events that have shaped the town at the Oberon & District Museum, which features a period-furnished settler’s house dating back to the 19th century and a blacksmith’s shop with a fully functioning forge. Browse the historic artefacts and model pottery town on display before wandering between the vintage farm equipment dotting the surrounding land.
Also not to miss is the Oberon Military Museum, which houses weapons and artefacts dating from the Boer War to the present day. Get up close to wartime medals and trophies and hear stories of the young, local men who left Oberon to fight. The Oberon Military Museum is located opposite the RSL Club and surrounded by a peaceful memorial garden.
On the edge of Oberon is the Gairloch Garden, an elegant country estate specialising in cool climate plant species. Hedging and trellises are used to divide the garden into several themed areas that include a sunken garden, a fernery and a fairy garden. Also in Oberon is Australia’s largest cool-climate garden, Mayfield, which features a large maze, a fragrant rose garden and a Chinese-inspired pagoda.
Getting around Oberon
Oberon is around three hours’ drive from the centre of Sydney and Sydney Airport while Bathurst is just 40 minutes away. Buses travel to Bathurst and the Mount Victoria railway station, which connects along the Blue Mountains Line. The centre of Oberon is compact enough to explore on foot.