Morning

Time to soak in a little country scenery. At 1,390m, Mount Canobolas’ subalpine environment isn’t something most Australians would encounter every day – in the early morning, you might see wombat trails in the frost. Walk the short but scenic Summits Walking Track, which connects to longer walks if you’re feeling particularly energetic.

Gaanha bula Mountain, Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area - Credit: Simone Cottrell/DPE

Mt Canobolas’ volcanic soils allow grapes to thrive, and you’ll find several cellar doors with gorgeous views at the foot of this extinct volcano. Try Rowlee Wines for its small-batch sustainable wines, De Salis Wines for classical French varietals and Cargo Road Wines for big reds perfect for the winter months. Call to book cellar door tours in advance. Macquariedale Organic Wines is the highest vineyard above sea level in Australia. Visit the family-run property for organic, low-preservative, vegan-friendly wines and book in for a fireside picnic experience. Afterwards, call in to Small Acres Cyder to discover how traditional cider is made. There’s no better time to be there than apple harvest season.

If you’re visiting during the 10-day Orange Food Week in autumn, be sure to check special events at both vineyards and restaurants in town. During an August trip, check out the Orange Region Fire Festival which celebrates local artists, musicians and producers over a 10-day program.

Rowlee Wines, Nashdale

Afternoon

Lunch at SkyBar among pinot noir-producing vines at Borrodell Estate is a lovely option with views over the rolling valley and delightful vineyards. The award-winning Printhie Dining at the eponymous winery is also a delicious lunch option.

Printhie Dining, Nashdale - Credit: Kirsten Cunningham

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Copyright: Printhie Wines

Take an afternoon drive through quintessentially country-Australian landscapes. You could head 20km northeast to Ophir, where the NSW gold rush began in 1851, or west to Verandah Cave, where a walking track will lead you to pools sheltered by limestone overhangs. Approach quietly and you might spot a platypus.

Alternatively, hit the course at the championship 18-hole Duntryleague Golf Club, where the trees are a magnificent multi-coloured treat at this time of year.

Duntryleague Golf Club, Orange

Evening

With that bracing autumn chill in the evening air, get cosy over a hearty local shiraz at The Schoolhouse Restaurant at Union Bank, an award-winning bistro delivering bold, modern flavours and located in a former 1857 bank building.

The Schoolhouse Restaurant at Union Bank, Orange - Credit: The Schoolhouse Restaurant

Morning

Though an à la carte breakfast might be part of your hotel stay, save space for a hot chocolate or bacon-and-egg roll at Orange Farmers Market. Held on the second Saturday of every month, the locals-favourite sells only produce from the Central West. Pumpkins, apples, rhubarb, chestnuts and walnuts make great seasonal stock for your larder. Join the people watchers tucking into refined Australian breakfast classics on the verandah of Byng Street Local Store. For serious coffee-lovers, try Good Eddy, a family-run spot in a former printing factory.

Orange Farmers Market, Orange

Get an overview of Orange by hitting the 90min Orange Heritage Trail, which takes you past key historical sights and buildings. You won’t want to miss Orange Botanic Gardens and Cook Park, whose towering European trees explode into colour this time of year. Seven Miles Coffee Roasters will fuel you with coffee and a light lunch.

Cook Park, Orange

Afternoon

After perusing the outstanding Orange Regional Gallery, hit town's the boutiques, where you’ll find art, jewellery, leather goods, clothing and deli products handcrafted in the region. Don’t miss Jumbled for fashion and homewares. The team also runs Sona, a luxury accommodation for design-lovers in nearby Molong. Then familiarise yourself with more local wines at Ferment, a wine centre and bar which represents 19 cellar doors and offers various tasting experiences.

Ferment The Orange Wine Centre, Orange - Credit: Ferment the Orange Wine Centre

For lunch and a drink, sample the smorgasbord of regional produce and the cellar door of Badlands Brewery, or make a meal of pizza and hand-crafted gins at Parrot Distilling.

Parrot Distilling Co., Orange - Credit: Parrot Distilling Co

Keen for an aerial view of Orange’s stunning landscape? Book a tour with Orange Helicopters, 15 minutes from town. A flying experience takes in views of the Central West, touching down at a local winery to sample wines and regional snacks.

Orange Helicopters, Huntley - Credit: Orange Helicopters

Evening

Head to Lucetta Dining for an authentic Italian meal in a warm, intimate setting. The wine list features lots of local drops as well as Italian bottles. For a lighter option, order from the small plates menu at Hey Rosey, a charming 20-seat wine bar in the centre of town. The wine list features international drops as well as experimental and up-and-coming local producers. If you want to extend your night, the speakeasy-style Washington & Co offers great whiskey and bourbon in a spot that hums on the weekend.

Lucetta Dining - Credit: Steve Brown | Copyright Francesco Zarrella

Morning

Start your morning in Borenore, just 15 minutes from Orange, to visit Hillside Harvest to pick your own produce. Picking season is between November and June, and depending on the time of year, stone fruit like cherries and peaches, blackberries, figs, pears and apples are available. If your trip falls outside picking season, stock your pantry with local honey, preserves and olive oils as well as baked goods and sweets from the farm store.

From the farm it’s just 30 minutes to Millthorpe, a pretty, heritage-listed village lined with cottages and former hotels and banks from gold-rush days. Learn more of the story at the Golden Memories Museum. Then browse Millthorpe’s boutiques for antiques, art, curios, ceramics and homewares.

Milthorpe Markets, Milthorpe - Credit:: Orange 360

Afternoon

Have lunch at the lauded Tonic Restaurant for your final taste of the region. The elegant menu showcases seasonal Central West produce such as Cowra lamb and Millthorpe truffles. Then pop into the town-centre cellar doors of Millthorpe wineries such as Slow Wine Co and Tamburlaine, which specialises in organic wine. The cellar door of Angullong Wines is housed in a late-1800s bluestone stable.

By now it will be late afternoon, but you’ll shortly be back on the road that brings you east towards Sydney and home.

Tonic Restaurant, Millthorpe

Where to stay

Filtered light pours in the windows of the wood stove-warmed lounge at Yallungah Boutique Hotel, which brings designer style to heritage-heavy Orange. Set inside a stately family home built around 1896, each of the 22 rooms and suites is unique, blending original features with contemporary cool. For larger groups, book a three-bedroom apartment at the elegant de Russie Boutique Hotel in the centre of Orange.

Just 11 minutes out of town, Basalt Luxury Accommodation offers three studio-style spaces on a 30-hectare, premium cherry orchard. Massive windows frame a glorious view of rolling farmland, and each studio features a king-sized bed, a stone tub and telescope for stargazing.

Yallungah Boutique Hotel, Byng Street in Orange - Credit: Aaron Evans

 Getting there

While you could leave Sydney after breakfast and be in Orange for lunch (it’s just 250km, or about 3.5 hours), the route across the Blue Mountains and through Bathurst invites a slow approach for those who appreciate World Heritage views or country towns.