Orange

Foodie experiences

From apples and berries to truffles and grass-fed beef, Orange is renowned for its bountiful produce. Sample it all at one of the town's acclaimed restaurants, like The Schoolhouse Restaurant at The Union Bank, Lucetta Dining and the tiny, food-focused wine bar Hey Rosey. If you like to dine amongst the vines, visit Printhie Dining, Rowlee Dining and Ross Hill Wines for their famed Lunch@The Pantry, held on selected Saturdays. Don't miss a gelato at local favourite Spilt Milk.

Ross Hill Winery, Orange

For gourmet delights and fresh food, visit The Agrestic Grocer or meet the makers at the Orange Farmers Market, held on the second Saturday of the month. If you like to get your hands dirty, join a cooking class at Barrel & Larder School of Wine & Food, part of Ross Hill Wines. In the winter, Borrodell Estate runs regular truffle hunts paired with a gourmet lunch and a famed annual dinner. For more special events, time your visit with Orange FOOD Week in April or the Orange Wine Festival in October.

Borrodell Vineyard, Canobolas

Sip & savour

Set aside a few days to visit some of the 80 vineyards and 30 cellar doors that dot the surrounding countryside, producing some of the country's best cool climate wines. High altitude, volcanic soils and a crop of passionate winemakers create magic in a glass every day. Try Rowlee Wines, De Salis, Philip Shaw, Nashdale Lane, Ross Hill and Swinging Bridge.

Rowlee Wines & Guesthouse, Orange

If you can't make it to the cellar doors, sample them all at the sleek Ferment the Orange Wine Centre, which serves up the best bottles from many smaller vineyards around the area vineyards. Explore further with a guided wine tour. Country Food Trails tour has five itineraries to choose from, or you can have the team customise one just for you.

Beer more your thing? Badlands Brewery has a buzzing taphouse in the centre of town with an ever-changing lineup of boutique brews on top. For gin, head to Parrot Distilling Co for a gin flight or colourful cocktail, paired with delicious wood-fired pizzas.

Parrot Distilling Co, Orange - Credit: Parrot Distilling Co

Walks & trails

A great way to learn about the history and heritage of Orange is to explore the self-guided Orange Heritage Trail. Head to the Visitor Information Centre to pick up a brochure, which details more than 40 places of historical interest and beauty. The 90-minute you down some of Orange's prettiest streets and past its finest buildings. For a different perspective on the region and its history, join Indigenous Cultural Adventures for a fascinating guided tour.

Indigenous Cultural Adventures, Orange - Credit: Orange360

You don't have to travel far to find yourself surrounded by spectacular nature. Lake Canobolas Reserve is the town's most famous outdoor playground, offering walking trails, swimming kayaking and more, Visit Pinnacle Reserve and Lookout, where you will find picnic shelters near a trail that climbs to beautiful views of Towac Valley, especially at sunset. Mount Canobolas, an ancient volcano, has a variety of walks, such as the Spring Glade walking track. Further west is Nangar National Park, where you can admire breathtaking views from the lookout.

Pinnacle Lookout, Canobolas

Galleries & gardens

There's a good reason that Orange is known as the Colour City – the autumn foliage is unmatched. You'll want to linger in the Orange Botanic Gardens, where the four distinct seasons paint flora in broad brushstrokes of colour. It's a similar story at Cook Park – like an artwork in its own right.

Orange Botanic Gardens, Orange - Credit: Orange City Council

Orange naturally attracts creative locals, and they show off their talent at the town's many gift shops, boutiques and galleries. A highlight is the Orange Regional Gallery, home to an impressive of modern, contemporary and public art. Established in 2014, the Corner Store Boutique Gallery is an independent space with diverse works from emerging and established artists and designers, set within a heritage building. Look out for its pop-up events and workshops.

The Corner Store Gallery, Orange - Credit: The Corner Store Gallery, Orange NSW

Keen to take some unique pieces home with you? You'll also find works from local artists at the eclectic lifestyle emporium Jumbled and the chic The White Place. Dirty Janes Orange is the place to find antiques, collectables, records, jewellery and much more.

Jumbled, Orange

Where to stay

There's a huge range of accommodation in Orange, from boutique hotels to luxury cabins, glamping tents and budget-friendly motels. In the centre of town, Yallungah Boutique Hotel is set inside a restored 1896 homestead, with 22 rooms creating a chic old-meets-new stay. De Russie Boutique Hotel has stylish five-star apartments that work for families while the 18-room Duntryleague Guest House is a piece of local history.

Yallungah Boutique Hotel, Orange - Credit: Monique Lovick | Yallungah Boutique Hotel

Just outside of town, you can sleep among the vines. Basalt Luxury Accommodation is the highest vineyard stay in the area, with two architecturally designed studios perched 1,100m above sea level. Rowlee Wines has one cosy guesthouse on-site, glamp under canvas at Nashdale Lane or take in the views from Borrodell Estate's Cider Suites, all glass walls and uninterrupted vistas. For something a bit different, bed down in the converted train carriage that is Loco at Ross Hill Wines.

Basalt Luxury Accomodation, Canobolas

Getting there

The drive west from Sydney to Orange winds through the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains and takes around 3.5 hours. You can also catch a train direct from Central Station, which takes just under five hours. Or fly to Orange Airport, which is 15 kilometres from the centre of town, and hire a car to explore the region.