Travel
A weekend away in Orange
Caves, vineyards and walks-a-plenty - Orange is the perfect spot for a relaxing weekend away.
By Seana Smith
With the Central West town of Orange recently being named Citro’s #1 retirement location for 2025, now is officially the time to spend a weekend getting to know this laid back wine and food lover’s promised land.
Orange lies just a 3-4 hour drive west of Sydney. As well as having a unique viticulture and foodie delights, this town makes a wonderful place to explore for those who love bush walking, cycling, swimming and chasing the glittering history of the Australian goldrush.
Here’s a wide-ranging guide that will help you plan a visit, at any time of year.
The Journey to Orange
I often enjoy driving over the Bells Line of Road from Richmond to Lithgow and stopping off at one of the cafes or restaurants or picking apples on the way. A visit to the botanic gardens at Mt Tomah also makes a handy stop.
Otherwise drive over the Blue Mountains on the A32 and choose from Glenbrook, Leura, Katoomba, Medlow bath or Blackheath for a stop.
Once you descend the hairpin bends of Mount Victoria, you drive over rolling plains. A stop in Bathurst can be fun, or enjoy food, drinks and fresh honey at the Beehive Inn on the road to Orange.
Travelling by train from Sydney Central to Orange takes around four hours too, the scenery on the route is stunning.
Best Time of Year To Visit Orange
Visit in autumn for the beautiful russet and golden colours of the trees and for the FOOD Week Festival in April. Spring is great for wildflowers; in October there is a famous Wine Festival. Winter is wonderful for cosy cottage stays and delicious dining. Summer works for early morning bush walks and swimming in lakes, rivers and the classic outdoor pool.
The First Thing To Do in Orange
Get yourself along to the Orange Visitor Information Centre in the centre of town. It is in a very interesting building with a turfed roof. There’s a cafe here, the Orange Regional Museum, the Art Gallery, the Library plus cool sculptures and fountains.
Outdoor Activities in Orange
Fruit Picking
All around Orange you will find rich orchards and farmland providing a great variety of produce which you can pick yourself. Most farms also have farm gate sales; some even have cafes too.
November-December
Cherries
January-February
Nectarines
Apricots
Peaches
Plums
Blackberries
Boysenberries
Figs
March- May
Apples
Pears
Download your copy or read it right here:
Visiting Vineyards
Mount Canobolas is an extinct volcano which peaks at 1395 metres above sea level. Lava from the volcano created the basalt soils which make Orange a thriving centre for high altitude wines. There are 30 cellar doors near Orange. The Visitor Information Centre can provide you with maps and suggested routes. To read up before you go, click through to the Orange 360 Wine Region web page here.
Love Aussie food and wine festivals?
Lake Canobolas
A ten minute drive from the centre of Orange brings you to Lake Canobolas, a pretty recreation area where you can take a 2 km walk around the lake, seeing all sorts of bird life. In summer many people swim in the lake. Fishing and boating are also popular here; there is a kiosk and café here too.
Love birdwatching? Check out these hotspots
Mount Canobolas (Gaanha-bula)
Taking a drive to the summit of Mount Canobolas is recommended; there are information boards explaining the history of the mountain and its significance to the local indigenous community. The views are worth driving up the windy roads.
Check out these 9 awe-inspiring First Nations travel experiences.
You can do short walks from the summit, but one of the best walks is better started lower down at the Federal Falls campsite. Find information on the walk to Federal Falls here. More walks can be found on the Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area section of the NPWS website here.
Visit Borenore Caves
Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve is around 17 km from the centre of Orange. The limestone caves here and wide grassy areas make for a lovely picnic and walking experience. The vast Arch Cave is just a short walk away from the car park. Walking 3.5 km past the Tunnel Cave brings you to the beautiful Verandah Cave which has a river running through it. That makes for a good 7 km walk.
Ophir Goldfields Reserve
Ophir Goldfield Reserve is 30 km north east of Orange and makes an excellent half day trip. Park by the river and walk along old gold mining tracks where the excavated caves and mine workings can still clearly be seen. Information boards tell the whole story in fascinating detail. There are also longer walks that can be done and sitting by the river here is delightfully relaxing.
Brush up on your gold rush history.
Cook Park + Robertson Park
A walk around Cook Park amongst the towering trees and Victorian buildings, glasshouses and fountains is a must-do in Orange. You might hear a brass band playing in the rotunda, see birds in the pond or just enjoy the peace and quiet.
At the other end of Summer Street, the main thoroughfare in Orange, is the smaller Robertson Park where you will find war memorials and the pretty little Country Womens’ Association building.
Cycling around town
There are many options for cycling in Orange, starting with well signed routes through the gracious streets and parks of the city itself. You can also cycle out into the countryside and see alpacas, even camels, and beautiful orchards and vineyards.
The Visitor Information Centre can give you maps showing all of the cycling options.
Taking a dip in Orange
Orange Aquatic Centre has indoor pools and a 50 metre outdoor pool, open in summer only.
You can swim at Lake Canobolas and the waterfalls in the Mullion Range State Conservation.
The area known as The Falls is also fun for a dip!
Love getting off the beaten track? Check out Australia’s best adventure holidays.
Shopping galore
A browse around some of Orange’s shops will not disappoint. Try Jumbled at Sonic for homewares and upmarket clothing, Hawkes General Store for gifts and homewares, Blowes Clothing and the Lucknow Skin Shop and Boot Store for the best of country attire, Dirty Janes Orange for vintage treasures and Frockwork Orange for top quality second hand fashion.
Tours From Orange
Let someone else do the planning for you when you join a tour. There are a few different options to explore.
Country Food Trails offers a variety of different food and wine experiences as well as custom tours.
Orange Wine Tours has half day and full day tours.
Indigenous Cultural Adventures offers custom tours for groups, taking visitors to places of significance for Wiradjuri people, with bush tucker food.
Eating and Drinking in Orange
The coffee and café scene in Orange is thriving. Check out Bills Beans and the delightful Nile Street Café in East Orange, then try Byng Street Local Store, and Good Eddy and Crema in Lords Place. Anything Grows on Summer Street is a pretty café within a garden centre, its fountain with goldfish and koi is always a hit with children. These cafes all do breakfasts and lunches. Scrumptious on Summer is a much-loved Orange eatery which stays open to serve a hearty dinner too.
If you are looking for a lovely lunch, check out the Lakeside Café and Kiosk at Lake Canobolas which serves delicious lunches in the café, plus snacks from the kiosk. Printhie Dining at the Printhie vineyard is a hatted restaurant serving four course lunches from Thursday to Sunday, a very special treat. Rowlee Wines has Rowleee Dining and Bar serves lunches and dinners on the weekend. Sisters Rock at Borrodell Vineyard is another fine dining option, enjoying glorious views over the vineyards and orchards of Nashdale.
The Agrestic Grocer on the west side of town is a café and grocery shopping destination with excellent breakfasts and lunches on offer plus the range of local foods sold in the shop. Check out the website ahead of your visit to find evenings of food and music from the best Central West musicians.x
Favourite dinner spots
The dinner options in Orange will leave you feeling spoiled for choice. Here are some of my favourites:
The Union Bank Orange, with The Schoolhouse offering fine dining in a delightful historic building and the courtyard and bar serving lighter options.
Hotel Canobolas, for top end, wholesome and hearty pub grub in a historic venue.
Raku Izakaya, delicious Japanese food in the centre of town.
The Greenhouse of Orange has a cocktail bar and an extensive menu of locally produced dishes.
The Peacock Room at the Oriana Hotel, a luxurious restaurant in a timeless hotel.
Mr Lim, Asian fusion dining with a focus on Korean and Chinese traditions.
Tonic in nearby Millthorpe, fine dining from renowned chef Tony Worland.
Bars and Breweries
The Hotel Canobolas is the epitome of a large country pub, and just across the road is Hey Rosey, a tiny wine bar with an eclectic wine list and some yummy small meals too. In summer the gardens and pool at the Oriana Hotel are a lovely spot to relax with a drink and simple meals.
Badlands Brewery has the Taproom in central Orange, offering its own range of beers in a large room, find live music there too. Parrot Distilling Co in East Orange has a Cellar Door where you can sit and enjoy the range of gins, rum and whisky.
Check out Australia’s best distilleries next.
Finish off your evening with a gelato at the ever-popular Spilt Milk Bar.
Don’t miss the wonder Racine Bakery for melt in the mouth pastries, extra special breads plus takeaway meals and catering.
Enjoy your weekend, or even a week, exploring Orange and its surrounding areas, and whilst you’re there, have a think about whether it could be the very place to retire. It’s a popular choice!
Feature image: All Seana Smith
Articles we think you’ll like: