Highlights
- Enjoy some of Australia’s most stunning scenery
- Try cool climate wines in a vibrant boutique region
- Enjoy the seasonal produce of the area in cozy restaurants
- Explore the history and architectural heritage
- Enjoy a walk in the beautiful subalpine scenery
Day 1: Mt Cacobolas
Day One Key Facts:
Small Acres Cyder can be found at:
- 12 Akhurst Road, Nashdale NSW 2800
- You can drive to Orange in 15 minutes (13km).
Evening
It’s time to enjoy some country scenery. Mount Canobolas is 1,395m high and has subalpine vegetation. This is not something that most Australians see every day. In the morning frost, you might spot wombat tracks. The short but scenic Summits Track connects with longer walks for those who feel energetic.
You’ll find a number of cellar doors with stunning views at the foot of Mount Canobolas. You can try Rowlee Wines, which produces small-batch, sustainable wines. De Salis Wines is for classic French varietals. You will need to book in advance for cellar door visits. Visit Small Acres Cyder afterward to learn how to make traditional cider. There is no better time than an apple-picking season to visit.
Orange F.O.O.D. Week in April is a 10-day event that includes special events at both vineyards and restaurants. Suppose you’re here during the 10-day Orange F.O.O.D. During the week of April, make sure to check out special events at restaurants and vineyards in town.
Afternoon
You can enjoy lunch at Sister’s Rock Restaurant, surrounded by pinot noir-producing vines on Borrodell Estate. The views of the vineyards and rolling hills are stunning, and the menu includes estate-grown truffles, cherries, and plums.
Enjoy a drive through the quintessential Australian country landscapes. Head 20km to the northeast to Ophir, where the N.S.W. Gold Rush began in 1851, or to the west to Verandah Cave, where you can walk to pools protected by limestone overhangs and spot platypus.
You can also play at the championship 18-hole Duntryleague Golf Club, where the trees turn a beautiful multi-colored display at this time of the year.
Evening
The Arthouse Bar is the perfect place to warm up with a local Shiraz in the autumn air. Then, head over to The Schoolhouse Restaurant for bold, modern bistro flavors. The two restaurants are located in a former bank from 1857.
Day Two: ORANGE
Day Two Key Facts:
The Sonic can be found at:
- Sale Street, Orange NSW 2880
- Cook Park is a 10-minute walk (700m).
Evening
Orange Farmers Market offers a variety of breakfast items, including hot chocolate and brekky rolls. The market only sells produce from Central West. Stock up on seasonal produce like pumpkins, apples, and chestnuts.
The 90-minute Heritage Trail will give you a good overview of Orange. It takes you to key historical sites and buildings. Orange Botanic Gardens and Cook Park are two of the most colorful parks in Orange, with towering European trees. Bills Beans East Orange offers a coffee and light lunch.
Afternoon
You can find art, jewelry, and leather products, as well as clothing and deli items, in the town’s boutiques after you have explored the Orange Regional Gallery. Don’t forget The Sonic, which has fashion and homewares. Ferment is a wine bar and center that represents 19 different cellar doors. It offers a variety of tasting experiences.
If you want to see The Agrestic Grocer, it’s 5km outside of town. You will be rewarded with a bounty of local produce and a visit to the cellar of Badlands Brewery.
Evening
The wood and charcoal oven will warm your meal at Charred Kitchen. You’re spoilt for choice with 400 wines available. Do you want to extend your evening a bit? Washington & Co., a speakeasy-style bar that is always busy on weekends, offers great whiskey and bourbon.
Day Three: MILLTHORPE
- Corner of Victoria Street and Pym Street, Millthorpe NSW 27998
- You can drive to Orange in 20 minutes (22km).
Evening
You can pick up the last of this season’s berries at Huntley Berry Farm on your way to Millthorpe. You’ll need to settle for jams and chutneys in the store after May.
Millthorpe, a heritage-listed village in the Orange region of New South Wales, is lined with former banks and hotels from the days of the gold rush. The Golden Memories Museum will tell you more about the history. Browse Millthorpe’s boutiques to find antiques, art and curios.
Afternoon
Enjoy a final taste of the area at the Tonic Restaurant. The menu features seasonal Central West products such as Mandagery Creek and Cowra Lamb. Visit the cellar doors in Millthorpe’s town center, such as Slow Wine Co or Tamburlaine, which specializes in organic wines. The cellar of Angullong Wines can be found in an 18th-century bluestone stable.
It’s late afternoon now, but in a few minutes, you will be back on A32 heading east to Sydney and your home.
Where To Stay
The Byng St Boutique Hotel brings designer style to Orange’s heritage-heavy city. You can walk 5 minutes to the local favorite, Lolli Redini, for a meal that combines Italian boldness with French technique. Dishes like cheese souffle, roasted pumpkin, or venison are available.
How to get there
You could leave Sydney at breakfast and arrive in Orange by lunchtime (it is only 250km or 3.5 hours), but the route through the Blue Mountains or Bathurst will be more relaxing for those who enjoy country towns or World Heritage sites. Check out our guide on the best places to visit during a Sydney-Orange road trip.
