The men, aged 35 and 50, were travelling along Burrendong Way when they were stopped at 10.40pm on Monday by police who had received an anonymous tip-off.

The Canobolas Highway Patrol officers searched the car and found drugs and an explosive device.

The bomb is described as the size of a tennis ball, covered in electrical tape with a fuse.

A bomb technician from Bathurst Police Station was called in, who confirmed the device was an improvised explosive device.

Police do not believe it was a terrorist plot.

The 35-year-old was charged with possession of prohibited drugs and possession of explosives and will appear in Orange Local Court on Tuesday, while the 50-year-old was charged with drug offences and will appear in court on October 30.