Temper your touring of Orange’s viticultural delights with a stay amid the great outdoors.
While wine touring may be the big drawcard for Orange and her surrounds, the region is also enrobed with naturally stunning landscapes from idyllic rolling hills planted with vineyards and orchards, to native bushlands and the impressive Gaanha bula (Mount Canobolas). Stay close to the action of Orange, but closer to the great outdoors at these beautiful campsites, cabins and caravan parks. Whether you’re all in for a barebones experience, looking for a budget stay with handy amenities or after something a little more luxe, you’ll find it in this round-up.
1. Colour City Caravan Park
For easy digs right in town, you can park it or pitch it at the Colour City Caravan Park right in the centre of things and next to the Showgrounds.
Sleep close to nature on the camping sites.
There are unpowered and powered sites, budget and standard cabins, and a three-bedroom, self-contained heritage cottage if you’d prefer a softer entry to a budget escape.
Bring your four-legged friends and your family and settle in for a self-catered stay in the tidy park, which includes a camp kitchen, laundry, linen hire for a small fee, wi-fi and dump station.
Bed down in the cosy cabins.
Cost: unpowered sites from $15
2. Canobolas Caravan Park
The cosy and quaint 3.5-star Canobolas Caravan Park is just 2.5 kilometres from the Orange CBD, ensuring the town’s incredible dining and attractions are easily accessible. Keep it simple and opt for one of the 22 unpowered sites, level up at one of the 51 powered sites, or go (relatively) luxe in one of the 14 ensuite cabins. There are large sites that can accommodate motor homes or RVs, and you’ll also find laundry facilities, barbecue and picnic areas, dump sites, gas bottle exchange and disabled amenities.
Cost: unpowered sites from $15
3. Blayney and Villages Caravan Park
Set an equal half-an-hour’s drive between Orange and Bathurst is quaint Blayney, making it the perfect perch for those keen to explore these two hubs of the central west. Hemmed by lush pastoral land, the quiet Blayney and Villages Caravan Park is a genuine treasure for the travel-weary. From here, explore the historic village of Millthorpe, Gaanha bula, Mount Panorama and Jenolan Caves. This dog-friendly park has unpowered and powered sites, cabins and all the usual amenities of showers, camp kitchen, wi-fi, barbecue facilities and potable water, as well as a few handy extras, such as a guest herb garden, play equipment and RV and van car wash.
Cost: unpowered sites from $30
4. Towac Valley Cabins
You’re just a 10-minute drive from Orange at the beautifully bucolic property of Towac Valley Cabins. It spoils guests with sweeping views of vineyards and orchards. With just three dwellings, the one-bedroom Country Cabin and Modern Cabin, and the two-bedroom Hamptons House, the maximum occupancy in the property is eight, so you can be sure of serenity. Each is self-contained with a fireplace for cosy relaxation and verandahs angled to absorb those rolling vistas. There are also sweet extras, such as a complimentary continental breakfast, a bottle of local wine, chocolates, snacks and a small gift.
The self-contained cabins feature rooms designed with comfort in mind.
Cost: from $165, two-night minimum
5. Bakers Shaft Reserve
The Belubula River provides your soundtrack and backdrop at the pretty Bakers Shaft Reserve camping spot. It may be no-frills, but there are plenty of thrills to be had by immersing in nature here.
Less than 50 minutes from Orange and 20 minutes from the village of Mandurama, this peaceful spot is barebones with only a barbecue area and public toilet in terms of facilities, but if you’re handy with a rod you’ll be able to catch your own dinner. Caravans, tents, camper trailers and campervan sites are available and free.
Take in the beauty of your location alongside the Belubula River. (Image: Destination NSW)
Cost: free
6. Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park
For sojourns through the central west of New South Wales that can afford to take their time, spend a night or two on your way to Orange at the Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park. There are unpowered and powered sites, pet-friendly sites, caravan sites (some with ensuite), and cabins that sleep up to eight people. Kids will be well-entertained with a swimming pool and waterslide, games room, playground, indoor cinema and mini golf. As far as more rudimentary facilities go, you’ll find barbecues, a camp kitchen, a kiosk and laundry all onsite.
Cost: unpowered sites from $32
7. Nashdale Lane Glamping
If your idea of camping is a little more luxe without the less, then navigate to the elegant Nashdale Lane Glamping escape set in the vines of Nashdale Lane’s vineyard.
Stay alongside the vines of Nashdale Lane’s vineyard. (Image: Liam Foster)
Creature comforts are all accounted for here, from the wood-burning fireplace to solid hardwood floors, four-poster bed, custom kitchen and private bath and shower.
The glamping tents feature hardwood floors and all the comforts you require. (Image: Liam Foster)
Watch dusk descend over the vines from your deck with a glass of Nashdale Lane pinot noir. The glampsites are adults-only and require a two-night stay between Friday and Sunday, so you can really sink into the tranquillity.
Soak up the serenity of your location on the deck. (Image: Destination NSW)
Cost: from $315 per night (plus cleaning and Airbnb fees)
8. Orange Showground
For those driving nomadic abodes on a tour of the state, take advantage of the one-night-free policy for self-contained RVs at the Orange Showground. Ideal for visits during a festival or for special occasions, if your RV has a toilet, shower and can function without connection to a power source, there are spaces here for you. However, tents and caravans or any non-self-contained vehicles will need to stay next door at Colour City Caravan Park.
Self-contained RVs can be set up at the Orange Showground.
Cost: free
9. Bissy’s Permaculture Eco Retreat
Take in the dramatic views and stillness of the bush at Bissy’s Permaculture Eco Retreat, a sprawling 39-hectare property not far from Orange. Wander the food forests and market garden of this permaculture-led farm, where wildlife, birdsong and the gentle ripple of a creek are often the only sounds. Relish the rare pleasure of isolation here, but be prepared to bring everything you need for your stay. The owners run Bissy’s Permaculture Café in Orange and you’ll be treated to one free coffee per person when you spend the night.
For a real escape to the bush book a stay at Bissy’s Permaculture Eco Retreat.
Cost: $20
10. Federal Falls Campground
Hikers and nature lovers will enjoy waking up to the sounds of the bush at the Federal Falls Campground in Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area near Orange. Sites are not marked and you’ll need to walk in with all your gear, including drinking water and firewood, but there are barbecue facilities and toilets to make life a little easier. It gets cold here and can snow, so be sure to bring everything you need to keep warm and cosy and check the weather before you depart as roads can be closed and gates locked if there’s snowfall.
Cost: free with a $6 booking fee
11. Macquarie Woods Campground
This little buried gem lies between Bathurst and Orange in the Vittoria State Forest, where the whisper of pine plantations and the rustle of native bush collide to create an atmosphere of serenity and peace. Your neighbours will be the native wildlife as they scamper between the yellow box, red gums and stringybark and the conifers that were planted in the 1980s as a demonstration forest. There is a picnic and camping area, public toilets, campfires, caravan and camper van access.
Cost: free
For more places to bed down near Orange, read our pick of top Airbnbs in Orange and our guide to luxury accommodation in Orange.
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