Find out about the people and stories of the railway and how it changed the communities of Western NSW, explore the social history of Bathurst in relation to its rail past and that of the Railway Institute Building.
With a centre piece of a 20 metres by 9 metres scale model of the historic rail line between Tarana and Bathurst, the museum content focuses on the importance of the development of rail to NSW, the region and the Bathurst community.
The storyline follows personal stories of Bathurst rail workers and the impact the railway had on these people’s lives.
From early years to higher education, we offer opportunities for tours and program of exploration and discussion to enhance students’ engagement with our collections.
Catch the preschool express in a fun play based session for early learners aged 2-5.
It’s time to play, explore and enjoy Museum Playtime early learning programs designed to encourage children to explore their world, the museum collections and stories through enquiry based learning, hands-on activities, objects, storytelling and play.
How did people travel before we had trains?
Is the train used to transport anything other than people?
How have trains changed over time?
This session looks at the personal stories of people who have worked and travelled on the railway. Students will discuss how trains have be used for transport of people, goods and animals and discuss difference and similarities between their lives and the lives of their parent and grandparents.
Students participate in a timeline ‘journey’, of those who lived and worked on the railways and the impact it had on the development of Bathurst as a city. This session explores the impact of rail and how people, discoveries and innovations have shaped the cultural landscape of early New South Wales.
Learn how the railway helped build a nation, how it revolutionised lives, provided people with jobs, and provided the community with education through the Railway Institute and the Better Farming Train and transformed Western NSW with the transport of goods, stock and people.
This museum Educator-led program uses collections of objects, images and stories to help students form connections between Humanities and Social Science, Technologies and Chemical and Earth Sciences.
Follow the footsteps of Ben Chifley and learn about a young farm boy who became a train driver and then went on to become one of the most loved Prime Ministers of Australia.
Visit the Chifley Engine at the Bathurst Railway Station, the Bathurst Rail Museum housed in the Railway Institute building where he studied and taught, and Chifley Home, the home of Ben Chifley and his wife Elizabeth.
This tour covers content from Present and Past Family Life, the Past in the Present, Community and Remembrance and the Australian Colonies.
Students explore the Bathurst Rail Museum, discussing the impact of the development of rail in Australia and how it changed the nation.
They will look at the technological innovations that led to the Industrial Revolution, and the social and industrial significance of railways in the history of New South Wales. They will also look at the impact rail had on the agricultural revolution, access to raw materials, transport system, the movement of people such as migrants and soldiers, employment of women, the promotion of Australian produce and the long term impact of the industrial revolution on the Bathurst and Western NSW communities.
The session will also cover the experiences of men, women and children and their changing way of life as well as the Railway Institute building as a centre for the education and social life of railway worker.
Museums Bathurst is a suite of public museums managed by Bathurst Regional Council, located on Wiradjuri Country. Museums Bathurst acknowledges the Wiradjuri People as the Traditional Custodians of the land in the Bathurst Region. We pay respect to Elders, past, present, and emerging and acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live, work and play in the Bathurst region.
