Head on down to Dubbo Showground for halter classes for quarter horses, appaloosa, paints, and other breeds. Performance events range from showmanship to hacking, hunter under saddle, western pleasure, trail, western riding, reining and more. There are divisions for those starting out with beginner and walk/jog events to advanced competitors. Weekends on October 14-15, 9am - 4pm. There is also an All Breeds Club Show, October 7-8. More information at www.cwphc.net/.

Western Plains Cultural Centre presents Sorry Wrong Number, Saturday, October 7, 4pm, starring Barbara Stanwyck and Burt Lancaster. An invalid woman accidentally over hears a murder plot, the introduction to a fantastic film noir, but also an insight in to how destructive forbidden knowledge can be, as she slowly descends into fear and panic, one asks is ignorance bliss? Tickets $10pp at 123tix, which includes a complimentary standard drink at the Establishment Bar Dubbo following the film.

The 15-hectare Mayfield Garden is open every day, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day, from 9am until 4.30pm. Final Garden entry is at 3pm. Your garden entry ticket is valid for the date issued only. Children aged under 5 years are admitted free of charge. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Mayfield, explore captivating gardens and create memories that will last a lifetime. Book at mayfieldgarden.com.au/book-garden.

Dubbo greyhounds in August

Rug up and enjoy the dogs racing on September - 24, from 5pm. There will be 12 races in total each night. Full bar/canteen and eftpos facilities available along with on-course TAB. Bring the family as there is a jumping castle for the kids. Entry - Adults $7.50; Pensioners $5; Children under-16 free. Dawson Park Greyhound Track.

Western Plains Cultural Centre, 10am-4pm daily. A number of exhibitions on show include: BOLD - curated by Kent Buchanan, features works from the Western Plains Cultural Centre collection, BOLD examines the ways artists express themselves using colour, and the ways we as viewers are influenced by it, until September 30; Pliable Planes: Expanded Textiles & Fibre Practices, features the work of 12 artists who reflect on the use of textiles to chart social and cultural change, until October 15; 1X4 until November 5, 2023.

On the fourth Saturday of every month at Cameron Park, Wellington, from 8am to 1pm (Sep - May) and 9am to 1pm (June - Aug). Try the best breakfast burgers in the region, sensational steak sandwiches and snags. Drop in for coffee and beverages, fresh fruit and veg, artisan soaps and beauty products, kids toys, clothing household items and collectables. Next one is on Saturday, September 23.

The Dubbo Rotunda Market showcases local and regional fresh produce and home-made arts and crafts. Food, coffee, produce, baking, condiments, handmade goods and unique recycled vintage wares. The venue is Macquarie Street, Sunday, September 24, from 8am-1pm.

Dubbo Dirt Bike Club's Motocross racing calendar fires up for Round 5: Sunday, September 24. Spectators are welcome to come and watch some exciting and adrenaline-filled racing. A full canteen, eftpos machine, covered grandstand, grassed area and amenities are available. Head to Morris Park Motorsports Complex for these all-day events.

Headspace and Dubbo Regional Council are partnering to bring an Outdoor Cinema Night to Dubbo and Wellington with Scooby Doo. On Wednesday, September 27, gates open at 5pm. There is Kids Karaoke and a free barbecue at Dubbo Showground. Then at Wellington Civic Centre, Thursday, September 28, doors open at noon. Family entry is $5.

Step behind the red velvet curtain and see what goes on behind-the-scenes at the award-winning Dubbo Regional Theatre. Explore the spaces normally hidden from the public. Led by a member of the theatre's professional team, you will experience the theatre from a different angle and gain access to backstage rooms, hidden passageways and mechanical apparatus usually reserved for performers and crew. Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre, every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am during school holidays. Tickets - adult $15, youth and concession $10, available at the DRTCC and online at drtcc.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/111658.

Hope is an all-new concert by three-time Grammy®-winning Soweto Gospel Choir - celebrating songs and anthems from the Freedom movement of Nelson Mandela's South Africa, back to the Civil Rights Movement of Martin Luther King's 1950's America. Songs include much-loved classics from legendary artists James Brown, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. Wednesday, September 27, 7.30pm, Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre. Tickets Adult $89.90; Subscriber $64.90. At the venue or online at drtcc.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/91982.

Held the first and third Saturday of every month, the next is Saturday, October 7 and 21. A range of seasonal fresh produce, fresh fruit and vegetables, herbs and plants, as well as fresh bread, meats, award-winning olive oils, preserves, jams, marinates, honey, wine, nuts and more. From 8am to noon. Macquarie Lions Park.

Harness Racing in Dubbo has been running since the 1890's attracting trainers across the central west and beyond. Come and watch the horses race under the ribbon of lights on Tuesdays, September 26, from 6pm-9pm.

Brew Tunes at the Brewery: Devil's Hollow Brewery - every Friday from 6.30pm- 8.30pm. Sunday, September - 24 - Pub Rock - 3pm-5pm.

South Dubbo Tavern: 8.30pm-11.30pm Fridays, Saturdays, and 6pm - 9pm Sundays - September - 22 - Shane Riley; 23 - Paul McMillan; 24 - John Wood; 29 - Jo Hyndes. October - 1 - Paul McMillan; 6 - Shane Riley; 7 - Duncan Ferguson; 8 - Pete Riley; 13 - Jo Hyndes; 14 - Sam Coon; 15 - Paul McMillan.

The Establishment Bar: Live music Fridays. September - 15 - Elle Flanagan; 22 - Sebastian Jones; 29 - Allyn Smith. October - 14 - Dean Haitani.

The Garden Hotel: Fridays and Saturdays - 6pm-10pm - September - 22 - Duncan Ferguson; 29 - Elle Flanagan; 30 - Sam Coon. October - 7 - Sam Coon.

Dubbo Classic Cars and Coffee is a casual get together on the first Sunday of every month (next event October 1) for local car enthusiasts and owners of special interest cars, hot rods, classics, customs, restored, vintage, muscle cars, street machines, exotics, etc. Classic and custom Bikes are also welcome. Victoria Park, 8am-noon. Mobile cafe supplies coffee, donuts and hot food. Entry by gold coin donation, money donated to Make a Wish Foundation. Entry via Talbragar Street.

The Geurie Lions Market is only on four times a year, so don't miss out on grabbing a bargain or a unique, special gift. Over 60 stalls offering arts, crafts and home-made goodies. Held at Wise Park on the last Saturday of every third month between 8am - 1pm. Next one September 30.

Barney Ellaga was the 'Tjungayi' or cultural policeman for the Alawa people of Central Arnhem Land.In a society with no written records, cultural information was handed down verbally to an appropriate recipient. With his sons predeceasing him and with no one achieving an appropriate level of initiation to receive this information, the line of succession, after many tens of thousands of years, stopped with him. Enjoy this wonderful exhibition at the Orange Regional Gallery, supported by Mitchell Fine Art Brisbane, from September 22 until October 2, 10am-4pm.

Regular reconnection with nature is essential to Jane Tonks' physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. This exhibition of paintings represent places of refuge where the artist re-charges, recovers and reconnects. The Corner Street Gallery presents a collection of nature's beauty inspired by her time spent bushwalking and forest bathing Shinrin-yoku. At the gallery until September 23.

Admire the work of 40 artists, artisans, and craftspeople from the region. You are bound to take home something from this unique collection of beautifully handcrafted pieces on display at Milthorpe's The tin Shed. September 22-24, 28-30, October 1, 10am-3pm.

The Summer Kitchen and Pool Club is back for the season. Enjoy wood fired tapas and pizza, ribs and barbecue favourites from the summer kitchen and summer cocktails, draught beers and wines from the pool club. September 22-30, noon-8pm weekends, 4pm-8pm Fridays. Reserve your table and relax in the luxury accommodation at bookings.nowbookit.com.

Boot scoot down to The Blind Pig for a cracking night of the best of country music. September 23, 7pm-10pm. Tickets $30 at the venue.

You can't go past a country show for a family outing. Get along to the Canowindra Show on September 22-23, 9am-8pm, for all the excitement of rides, animal nursery, stalls, food, bar, showbags, ute show, tractor pull, horses, dogs, woodchop, shearing, showgirls, jillaroos and jackaroos, arts and craft, photography, cooking and more.

Enjoy Orange's best rock musicians, fronted by hand-picked local and national artists, delivering themed music nights. The beautifully restored small hall in the foothills of Mount Canobolas is transformed into a vibrant music venue for the Handpicked events on the last Thursday of every month. The Handpicked House Band features Matt Arthur on guitar, Kyle Manning on keyboard, Luke Ferguson on bass and Dave Egan on drums. Dual Aria Award winning artist Mike Carr joins the band for a Neil Diamond vs James Taylor selection including I'm a Believer, Sweet Caroline, Fire and Rain and You've Got a Friend on September 28, from 6pm. Tickets $28-$42 at trybooking.com.

Live Music Saturdays are on every weekend this Spring and Summer. Enjoy local musicians with views of the vineyard hills, delicious food and drinks in the most relaxed country setting in Orange at Stockman's Ridge Wines from 1pm - 5pm, and children and dogs are welcome and free to enter. Numbers are limited so book your $5 spot early at stockmansridge.com.au/products/live-music. Wine Tastings are not included with your booking but can be booked separately, as can delicious grazing boards, at the Cellar Door.

In 1923, Dubbo businessman, Laurence Astley, donated a cup to promote sporting competition between Dubbo High School and Sacred Heart College. The schools were mismatched and just two years later competition was formalised between the three state schools - Bathurst, Orange, and Dubbo High. The Astley Cup is a one of the longest-running sporting competitions in public school education. This exhibition at the Orange Regional Museum celebrates 100 years of sports, scoreboards and school spirit. Until October 18.

Here/Now is Orange Regional Gallery's annual open community exhibition presenting the work of artists from across the Central West of New South Wales until October 8. With over 160 local artists represented, the works celebrate the breadth and diversity of the creative spirit in our region. Each year the Gallery invites artists at all stages of their art practice to submit up to two recent artworks, with the guarantee that at least one work will be exhibited. This ensures that local artists have an opportunity every year to exhibit their work as part of the Gallery's exhibition program.

Enjoy seven wines from Ross Hill Wines' Pinnacle Series perfectly matched with delicious dishes for the perfect food & wine experience. Upcoming dates: September 16, 30, October 1, 28. From noon - 2pm, tickets $120pp at www.rosshillwines.com.au/cart/events/.

The Orange Region Farmers Market is held on the second Saturday of every month and showcases local produce strictly from the Orange region. Next event October 14. Meet the producers and taste their fresh seasonal produce. Over 60 stalls featuring flowers and plants, fruit and vegetables, artisan bread, cheeses, meats, olives and olive oil, gourmet preserves, free-range eggs, and more! Quality breakfast and hot food stalls and locally roasted coffee available. See the list of produce at orangefarmersmarket.org.au/visit-the-market/#autumn. Gold coin entry funding Rotary Daybreak community projects. Northcourt, behind the Orange Art Gallery, 8.30am-noon.

The experience starts at 11am with a guided tasting of selected Printhie wines from the Cellar Door at Nashdale. At the end of the tasting you'll select your favourite wine from the Topography range (included in the price). You'll then be handed your picnic ready for you to find your favourite spot on the estate. Reserve your spot for $95pp at printhiewines.rezdy.com/398972/printhie-picnic.

You can enjoy High Tea with a delicious selection of sweets, savouries, scones, tea and a glass of award-winning Storm Sparkling each first Saturday of the month until November 4, noon-6pm. Booking start times from 1pm and are for 1.5hrs, minimum two people per booking at $60pp at stockmansridge.com.au/.

Everything you have e30-$35ver wanted to know about agricultural shows in the region from the very beginning. Orange and the Central West have a long tradition of agricultural shows. From dressage to dog trials, sponge cakes to sideshows, and prize-winning poultry to pickles and preserves, this hands-on exhibition has something for everyone. Until October 15, 9am-4pm. For more information visit www.orange.nsw.gov.au/orange-regional-museum/whats-on/.

On Saturday, September 23, at 8pm, Australian music icon Marcia Hines takes to the stage at the Ian Macintosh Theatre to mark her 50^th anniversary of performing in her adopted country. Balcony seats are still available - tickets $70. Bookings at www.bmec.com.au/marcia-hines-still-shining.html

Generate some noise at a free music-making workshop for 12-17-year-olds at Clubhouse Bathurst, Level One, 203-209 Russell Street. Play around with beat making programs, write and record lyrics, and play guitars, drums, and electric keyboard. Come for one or both days (September 25-26) 11am-2pm, to hone your music producing skills or just bang on the drums. Lunch is provided. See more at socialfutures.org.au/service/clubhouse/.

Every Saturday, in September and October, you can take a free guided tour of the Dobell Drawing Prize #23. The Dobell Drawing Prize is Australia's leading prize for drawing, an unparalleled celebration of technique, innovation, and expanded approaches to drawing by acclaimed and emerging drawing practitioners. The biennial prize began 30 years ago at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The Dobell Drawing Prize #23 touring exhibition showcases over 45 finalist artworks that respond to the Prize's fundamental question: what is drawing? The museum is open from 8am-5pm. Reserve your free place in a tour at eventbrite.

Horse, harness and driver will show their skills on September 27. So get along to Bathurst Harness Racing Club for some great harness action in the beautiful grounds. Enjoy a great meal from the bistro and a cold beverage from the bar and have a flutter at the on-course TAB facility. Racing from 5.30pm-9pm.

Old Government Cottage is a rare, intact example of an early Bathurst home. This historic building is at 16 Stanley Street on the western side of the Macquarie River in the area of the old government settlement. It was re-opened after a refurbishment in July 2012 - the first major work on the building since the mid 1960s. An interpretive display from Bathurst's earliest history has been set up within the building. Volunteers open this cottage on the fourth Sunday of each month from noon until 4pm. Entry is $4 for adults and $2 per child. Group bookings and guided tours are available. Contact the Bathurst District Historical Society Museum on 6332 2522 or email info@bathursthistory.org.au for details and rates.

Experience the underground world of a gold mining at Bald Hill tourist mine. A short walk or drive from Hill End, this guided tour is ideal for families and school groups. Walk 80 metres into the tunnel and see quartz reefs. At 80 metres a vertical shaft may be climbed via 10 ladders and 10 platforms to exit the mine. The shaft climb is not compulsory. Open most weekends, and weekday tours can be arranged. Open seven days during school holidays: Monday to Saturday 1.30pm and Sunday 11am. Bookings essential at Northey's Store, Clarke Street or call Kerrie on 0427 301 189. Final bookings 1/2 hour prior to tour time. Fees apply.

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate - it's up to you! Please register before you first come along. Only ever register with parkrun once and don't forget to bring a scannable copy of your barcode (request a reminder). If you forget it, you won't get a time. www.facebook.com/Bathurstparkrun. Next runs on September 23, 30.

Every first Sunday of the month, from 9am until 1pm, head to Logan Brae Village, 34 Busby Street, Bathurst, for fresh, locally grown and locally made quality produce and goods from the Bathurst, Central West & Blue Mountains regions. Next event October 8.

Bathurst Farmers' Market is a Lions Club of Bathurst Project on every fourth Sunday of the month. Wander through the pavilions and sample or buy fresh regional produce. The market aims to encourage stalls with goods that are grown and/or produced within the Bathurst and Central West Regions. Locally Community Groups are often on hand with information, entertainment and much, much more. Next event Saturday, September 23, Bathurst Showground, 8am-noon, entry by gold coin donation.

Come and explore the stalls under the trees beside the Macquarie River in Berry Park, with a kids' playground and Lions Club barbecue offering drinks and hot food. A wide range of interesting stalls are on hand on the first Saturday of the month - next one is October 7, 9am-1pm.

On October 1, enjoy a delicious High Tea at 2.30pm. Tickets are adult $55, senior $50, child under 14 $40. Explore the home and its gardens and grounds, and experience one of the greatest heritage and architectural treasures in our region - a living historic house museum and home of the Morgan family. Tickets for all events available at Bathurst Visitor Information Centre, 6332 1444 and Abercrombie House - Xanthe 0417 258 318 or https://bathurstregion.com.au/events/.

The Bathurst Arts Trail is a collective of artists throughout the Bathurst region who open their galleries to visitors on each Art's Trail Open Weekend. This occurs on the first weekend of each month - next dates October 7-8. All artists are happy to have visitors to their galleries by appointment. Painters, potters, glass artists, sculptors and printmakers showcase their talents in town and country studios and galleries. Golden Bali flags indicate an artist nearby. Visit bathurstartstrail.com.

Visit Bathurst Grange Distillery producer of outstanding gin and whiskey all located at one of Bathurst's heritage farmstead estates established in 1823. Then, tour, taste and lunch at Bathurst's newest independent craft brewery, Reckless Brewing Co. located at The Crago Mill, founded in 1906 by Francis Crago. Every Friday 4pm - 5pm, and every Saturday 11am, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm, join a $20 tour. Bookings at www.bathurstgrange.com.au

Bathurst's historic Showground holds fascinating stories of the structures and people associated with the ground and the importance of the annual Show. The first Show at this site was in 1878. The Showground has been described as probably the finest group of traditional rural showground pavilions and ancillary buildings in Australia. Discover some of the stories during this tour of the site. Meet in front of the Howard Pavilion, Bathurst Showground. $10 per person - bookings essential at Bathurst Visitor Information Centre 1800 68 1000 or online at bathurstregion.com.au/autumn-colours.

Pack a picnic lunch and take the kids down to the miniature railway to enjoy a few rides on working scale model trains, just across the road from the Adventure Playground. Covered shoes must be worn. Trains run the third Sunday of the month (next is October 15), weather permitting. Rides are $2.

Join a choir

Macquarie Male Singers meets every Tuesday, from 7.15pm at the Catholic Parish Centre, behind the Cathedral, cnr William and Keppell Sts, Bathurst. We are an all-male choir, with a singing strength around two dozen members of all ages, and new members would be most welcome. For more information, please contact John Kendall, on 0427410625.

The inaugural Blayney Art Prize is an art exhibition showcasing the talent of young artists aged 5-19 years. With more than $1000 in prizes awarded, the theme for 2023 is True Colours. See what the youth of today imagine in painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking and photography - on show from September 23 until October 8 (Wednesday - Sunday), 10am-5pm. Entry is free.

Come down to Club Millthorpe and check out some live tunes. For nearly 15 years from May to October the club has put on a monthly afternoon of high quality original acoustic music. The concerts are carefully curated to provide a wonderful listening experience for the audience and a respectful space for performers to share their work. This year's line-up will be: October 15 - Prine: The Songs of John Prine (various artists). Follow Acoustic Sunday Millthorpe on Facebook for updates.

Old Errowanbang Woolshed will be holding a pair of open days, with all funds raised going towards the ongoing restoration of the structure. The days will feature tours and a barbecue. Drop by for a visit at Lot 64, Old Errowanbang Road, Carcoar, between 10am and 3pm on September 23 or 24. Entry is $10 and children under 12 are free. For more information and updates, follow Old Errowanbang Woolshed on Facebook.

The Olde Bridge Gallery at 1 Caloola Street in Newbridge will complement the open gardens, live music and Back Creek Art Show of the Spring into Art weekend with an exhibition titled "Botanical Beauty" from October 14 to 28. Artists are being invited to submit work with a botanical theme for the exhibition. Further information from Olde Bridge Gallery. Entries for all sections of the Back Creek Art Show will close on October 8. Entry forms at www.newbridgensw.com.au.

The Cowra Japanese Garden covers five hectares - the largest in the southern hemisphere! It was built here because of Cowra's special significance to the Japanese. The unique relationship of Cowra and Japan originated on a cold night in August 1944, when more than a thousand Japanese prisoners of war broke out of the prison camp. The 231 Japanese soldiers who died in the escape were buried nearby and local members of the RSL tended their graves. As mutual respect grew over the years between Japan and the citizens of Cowra, the idea of a garden arose. The Cowra Japanese Garden & Cultural Centre is open every day except Christmas Day. Adults - $18, Seniors - $15, Students - $15, Children (5-12 years) - $9.

Saturday October 7, will see local produce and products on sale at the monthly Farmers Market. Located at the Oberon Showground, the event features stalls from local businesses where you can buy plants, food, craft items and lots of other surprises. Buy a coffee or a snack, meet your neighbours from around the Oberon community and support your local small and micro businesses. The markets are on the first Saturday of every month.

The markets are on at the Tarana Fire Shed on the fourth Sunday of every month, from 9am to 1pm, with the next one on Sunday, September 24 . The regular stalls will be there and you can select from the great food offerings, have some wine or beer from the licensed outlets, and listen to some great music.

Oberon has a long history and some of it has been collected in the museum at the corner of Lowes Mount Road and Scotia Avenue. As well as artifacts and photographs from Oberon's past, the museum has a 3D model of what the town looked like in the 1930s. Of particular interest is the recently opened Forest and Timber display which tells the story of the local timber industry. The museum is open on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am till 12.30pm. Admission is $5 or $15 for a family.

Held in the CWA rooms from 11am, at 48 Market Street each first Friday of the month. Upcoming dates for the Mudgee CWA Day Branch meetings: October 6. Visitors and new members are always welcome. For more information, contact Genevieve on 0411 574 611.