The 20 best things to do in Orange

Orange is filled with gems you’ll want to make time for in your itinerary.

Located in NSW’s stunning Central West, Orange is as diverse as it is beautiful. With so many wonderful things to do in Orange, travelling here is a no-brainer.

Surrounded by one of the most prolific wine regions in NSW, magnificent cool-climate wines are a given, but this regional city – which was once in the running to be the capital city of Australia – has numerous other charms that beg for a place on your itinerary.

Uncover the regional city’s storytelling past: from the cultural heritage of the Traditional Owners, the Wiradjuri people, to the gold rush history of the 1800s, storytelling has always been part of the local DNA here.

Then there are the award-winning restaurants, boutique shops and the quintessential Australian countryside to explore. Get ready to soak up all this romantic region has to offer with our picks of the best things to do in Orange.

1. Explore the many Orange wineries

There are more than 40 wineries in Orange and ticking them all off is the mother of all bucket lists, but we wouldn’t recommend trying to do it all in one visit to Orange, so we’ve got a few highlights to get you started.

Borrodell Estate is a heavy hitter in the region. If you’re not already dining, sleeping or checking out the farm here, the cellar door is a must. The sparkling wine varieties are famous the world over.

Philip Shaw Wines is one of the highest vineyards in Australia and produces some memorable and very collectable wines. Philip has since transferred ownership of his eponymous winery to his sons and opened HOOSEGG, a small-scale operation utilising his six-decade experience.

Rowlee Wines finds production inspiration from the Dalmatian wine country on the Adriatic coast of Croatia; the place where the family tradition of grape growing and winemaking began. A visit today is a lesson in European heritage and new-world practice, showcased within a contemporary cellar door.

If you prefer to let someone else do the heavy lifting, opt for one of these Orange wine tours that takes all the hassle out of handling logistics.

2. Find an Orange cafe to fulfil your coffee desires

Sampling the aromatic brews and divine breakfast bites from as many Orange cafes as possible is simply a must.

With easy access to masses of fresh, local produce, and a community of locals who take their cafes seriously, Orange’s cafe scene is devouring its competition.

3. Wander through the various Orange markets

Another way to enjoy the local produce is to go straight to the source and visit the markets. The monthly Orange Farmers Market has everything from olive oil, eggs, honey and local wine, or explore a bit more of the region and head to the Millthorpe Markets or Cowra Community Markets if the dates align.

4. Embrace pub culture in Orange

Pub life is an important part of the culture in Orange and you can expect top-notch nosh and pints in just about every pub you enter.

If you like pubs the way they used to be, the Gladstone Hotel – a traditional-style watering hole – will suit you nicely. Then there is The Hotel Orange, the oldest pub in the region, located in the heart of Byng Street. Here, catch live music and conventional pub grub.

The Union Bank first opened its doors in 1858 as Orange’s first bank. Now, sip on ale or local wine at The UB Bar & Courtyard before heading for dinner at the adjoining Schoolhouse Restaurant.

5. Shop ‘til you drop

Sometimes the greatest shopping days are in regional cities where you’ll find gems in the most unexpected of places. Whether that be an unassuming thrift store or one of the boutique shops speckled around Orange, you’re bound to find a special item here. The White Place and JUMBLED are our top picks if you’re short on shopping time.

6. Take in sweeping views from the top of Gaanha-bula (Mount Canobolas)

The highest peak between the Blue Mountains and the Indian Ocean, Gaanha bula (Mount Canobolas) is a 1395-metre-high extinct volcano that features subalpine scenery and looms over Orange. Gaanha bula holds important cultural significance for the local Wiradjuri people, as a men’s initiation site and a place used for corroboree and ceremonies (burbung).

Head to the summit by car (or on foot if you’re up for a challenge) and take in the 360-degree views from the lookout platform. It’s often covered in a blanket of snow come winter and if it’s snowing, the roads up the mountain tend to close, so make sure you read the signs and always drive safely. Picnic and barbeque facilities are available in the park, but there are no toilet facilities so plan ahead.

7. Go on a scenic nature walk

The crisp morning air in Orange provides exhilarating alertness to the start of your day – all the more reason to get out there early and immerse yourself in its surrounding countryside. Start with a brisk walk along the Summit Walking Track of Gaanha bula.

There are also a number of other interconnecting longer walks if you’re up for more of a challenge. Just south of Orange, the popular Gosling Creek Reserve has walking and cycling pathways to explore and is one of the courses for the Orange Runners Club. To the north, discover The Falls Water Falls, which cascades down into Summer Hills Creek along the Central Mines trail.

8. Discover the art scene at Orange Regional Gallery

Located in the Orange Cultural Precinct, the Orange Regional Gallery has an eclectic mix of art on display, from the permanent collection of over 1500 pieces of Australian art from the 1920s to today to the ever-evolving exhibitions that highlight the gallery’s role in exploring and presenting new art, ensuring a fresh experience every time you visit.

9. Go fruit picking at Orange’s orchards

It takes very little effort to sink your teeth into some of the regional city’s best produce. You’re likely to stumble across roadside farm gates and boutique producers without even trying. But there are a handful of producers you won’t want to miss.

Visit Huntley Berry Farm from November to March with the kids and a basket in tow to pick your own strawberries, raspberries and blueberries or go the extra mile and pick peas, beans, cucumber, zucchinis and sunflowers as well! Take some extra time to meet the farm’s goats, rabbits and chickens on the way.

Hillside Harvest is the place for farm-fresh apples, plums, cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, berries, pears and figs. Their pick-your-own season generally runs from November to early May but check their website before you go to make sure.

10. Have a picnic at Cook Park in Orange

Found in the heart of town, Cook Park is a vibrant 4.5-hectare park that changes beautifully with the seasons. In summer, the sunken rose garden comes alive in a sea of colours, autumn brings a bloom of begonias in the Blowes Conservatory and spring welcomes masses of tulips and daffodils.

Bring a picnic blanket and find a shady spot near the duck pond to while away the hours in this peaceful pocket.

11. See Orange through the eyes of its Traditional Owners

Founded by local Indigenous man Gerald Power, Indigenous Cultural Adventures operates a range of cultural tours exploring the rich and vibrant culture of the Wiradjuri nation, all hosted and guided by local Elders.

Small to large groups will be guided through significant sites, ending with a meal from Bush Tucka – the other part of Gerald’s business.

“We wish to take the public on a journey about the First Nations people. It’s about sharing our culture and heritage through [the] experience of our Country and the food that we have consumed and survived on for 50,000 years,” Gerald says.

12. Dine at the best restaurants in Orange

The region’s rich agricultural land yields an abundance of fresh produce, meat and dairy products, which Orange’s best restaurants use to create phenomenal dishes. Known as a popular food and wine destination, Orange attracts visitors who are specifically looking for unique and high-quality dining experiences.

13. Go on an Orange brewery and distillery crawl

We weren’t kidding – Orange is a gastronome’s heaven. Visitors who want to enjoy local drops will not be left short of options thanks to some specialty breweries and distilleries around town.

Badlands Brewery should be your first stop. This award-winning microbrewery pours dangerously drinkable beers. Jones and Smith Distillery is a family-owned craft distillery found in Lucknow, between Orange and Millthorpe. Spirits (boutique gin and whisky) are 100 per cent authentically crafted and aged in the heart of the Central West.

14. Devote your evenings to stargazing in Orange

Turn your eyes towards the night skies in Orange and you’ll spot a pretty spectacular sight. According to John Sarkissian, operations scientist at CSIRO Parkes Observatory and a founding member of the Central West Astronomical Society, “the Central West boasts some of the darkest skies in Australia and is a wonderful place to appreciate the marvels of the night sky.”

In Orange, the skies are clearest between March and October. To make a weekend of it, grab tickets to the Orange Winter Fire Festival with a whole swag of events, including an Astro Photography Workshop to learn tips and tricks for capturing night sky images.

In January 2024, work began on the new $33.5 million Orange Regional Conservatorium and Planetarium, which will feature a 65-seat planetarium auditorium once completed.

15. Explore historic towns and villages near Orange

Orange and its surrounding towns are filled with a host of experiences you won’t find anywhere else. The birthplace of Banjo Patterson, the fertile soil and undulating hills all make for such an inspiring setting that you will be penning sonnets in no time.

Canowindra sits beside the Belubula River in the beautiful red-earth countryside.

Well known for hot air ballooning and fish fossil discoveries (the town became famous in 1955 when a 360-million-year-old fossil was found), today it is also an arts and tourism hub.

One-street towns aren’t usually graced with a hatted restaurant, but Millthorpe in central New South Wales is not your run-of-the-mill country town. This heritage town is classified by the National Trust and nestled in a cool-climate wine region. The hatted Tonic is a Millthorpe icon and a trip to Orange isn’t complete without a dinner cooked by Chef Tony Worland.

Also sitting on the Belubula River, Carcoar is a historic village and the third-oldest settlement west of the Blue Mountains. Take a walk down its main street and marvel at the Victorian buildings, century-old courthouse, convict-built stables of Stoke House and St Paul’s Anglican Church. Carcoar was awarded the 2022 Top Tourism Town Award for towns with a population of less than 1500.

16. Stay in luxury

When in Orange surrounded by all things lush and wholesome, why not treat yourself to a luxury stay as well?

Orange has so many luxury accommodation options, from Basalt – which is so named due to its proximity to extinct Gaanha bula – to Sona in the nearby town of Molong.

17. Spend a day at Lake Canobolas

At the base of Gaanha-bula you’ll find the serene Lake Canobolas. In summer, the lake is full of swimmers, canoes and SUPs, with a pontoon in the middle popular with teens. You’ll see fishermen lining the shore year-round and birdwatchers trying to identify new birds. If you’re really, really lucky, you might even spot an echidna or a platypus in the wild.

There’s a playground on the eastern side of the lake, with barbecues and picnic tables nearby. The Lakeside Kiosk and Cafe is on the western side. Walk over the dam wall to get to either side of the lake.

18. Get dressed up for an evening at Orange Civic Theatre

There’s no better way to support regional artists than by indulging in a night of theatre. From local productions to national and international touring shows, there is something for everyone to watch at Orange Civic Theatre.

The theatre seats 502 and has wheelchair accessibility and a hearing loop which covers the entire auditorium.

19. Hide out in a cave

Explore the limestone caves of Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve and marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites. Take the easy 3.5-kilometre walk along Boree Creek trail to Verandah Cave to reach the tranquil creek and if you’re quiet you might even spot the shy platypus that call this creek home.

20. Explore the Orange Botanic Gardens

The Orange Botanic Gardens is a great spot for a stroll, especially for plant lovers. The 17-hectare gardens are free to enter and are home to masses of native and exotic plants that could keep you occupied for hours. Pack a picnic or utilise the barbecue facilities onsite.

If you’ve got kids with you, the Orange Adventure Playground sits just outside and is one of the most popular playgrounds in town.

This article was originally written by Eliza Sholly with updates by Emily Murphy.

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