Is this NSW’s most relaxing town?
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We’ve combed the state and come up with the goods. Food, wine, shopping, nature—Orange has the full gamut at your fingertips and it’s only a scenic three-hour drive from Canberra.
Recently we road-tripped across regional NSW, enjoying some beautiful landscapes, wonderful adventures, and some great food and wine. One of the highlights on the trip was our final stop—Orange.
It wasn’t our first date with this scenic spot. We were first introduced in-between lockdowns in 2020, where we were all forced to look in our own backyard for things to do and see.
This was when we first fell in love with Orange, and since our last visit things are even better. And best of all, there is heaps to do and most things are in the CBD or a short stroll beyond, making it a remarkably relaxing place to visit.
Credit: Orange360.
Here’s where to eat, drink, play and stay in Orange this autumn and winter.
Drink: Wine within sipping distance
Easily the highlight of our trip was the newest addition to the food and wine scene in Orange—Hey Rosey. Visiting on a Tuesday night, we were impressed to see this cute wine bar buzzing.
Tucked between shopfronts on Summer Street, after just two months it’s become a popular spot among locals, particularly hospitality workers looking for good vibes and some inspiration.
Hey Rosey. Credit: Pip Farquharson.
The passion for quality wine and local produce is evident, as owner Leigh Oliver treated us to some figs picked from his mate’s garden that morning, paired with prosciutto, whipped ricotta, pink peppercorns and a glass of Clark Wines ‘Golden’ Chardonnay. Heaven.
This gem is well worth a visit—but try to book a spot beforehand!
Philip Shaw. Credit: Orange360.
There is also an abundance of wineries around Orange, with Philip Shaw Winery a renowned spot in the region and Mortimers Wines attracting acclaim from visitors to the region.
Our favourites were Rowlee, specialising in Italian varietals and brighter, lighter wines; and their neighbour See Saw Wine, focusing on sustainable and organic viticulture.
See Saw. Credit: Monique Lovick Photography.
Eat: Serving more than just oranges
There are also a host of impressive restaurants and cafes to choose from in Orange, many celebrating local produce. The main street is lined with a range of options, and breakfast at one of the many cafes dotted about the city is a wonderful opportunity to watch regional town life roll on by.
We enjoyed a stroll around Lake Canobolas before a tasty lunch and friendly service at the modestly named Lakeside Café and Kiosk (the mushroom foam soup was an unexpected fave).
Dinner at the Schoolhouse Restaurant at Union Bank was recommended to us by locals and visitors alike and certainly lived up to the hype, and for a more traditionally sophisticated meal, the Peacock Room at Oriana is your best bet.
Union Bank. Credit: Orange360.
If breakfast or brunch are your focus then Groundstone is a popular choice. Next door to the Orange Regional Gallery and Orange Regional Museum, the precinct is a great place to grab a bite to eat, takeaway coffee and get lost for a few hours with no admission fee.
Shop: Gifts, art and fashion for all
Jumbled. Credit: Orange360.
There must be more specialty stores in Orange per capita than anywhere else in Australia—the choices are nothing short of epic.
Must-see shopping experiences we’d recommend are the Instagrammable homewares and artworks at Jumbled in The Sonic, the magnificent maze of fashion and sophistication at The White Place, the unique gifts and statement pieces at the Hawkes General Store and Mary & Tex Curious Emporium.
Otherwise, wander up and down Summer Street, where there are hundreds of retailers including beauty parlours, local fashion boutiques, shopping arcades, culinary stores, and so much more.
Stay: Unique lodging for any budget
Byng Street Hotel. Credit: Orange360.
We were delighted with our stay at the Byng Street Boutique Hotel, a loving restoration of a historic building with a beautiful modern twist. With an aesthetic that is local modern art gallery crossed with a bright and airy conservatory, it is a luxurious and friendly base.
If you don’t want the shopping to stop when you get back to base, The White Place also has two properties available to stay in, with every piece of furniture and homewares available to purchase. It’s the ultimate try before you buy.
Byng Street Hotel. Credit: Orange360.
For those looking for more of a connection with nature, or for a more affordable overnight option, there are camping facilities in Orange itself or a few beautiful spots just outside the city.
Self-contained RVs and caravans can find a spot at the Orange Showground, and campers can set up in town at the Canobolas Caravan Park or the picturesque Federal Falls campground is a 25 min drive from the CBD (booking is required through NSW National Parks).
Need another excuse? Plan ahead now for Orange’s iconic Winter Fire Festival
Taking place across the weekend of 4-13 August, there will be plenty of wintery fun to be had. Keep an eye on orange360.com.au/Events/Orange-Winter-Fire-Festival for more details.
So, with winter round the corner, and a cosy Orange calling your name, consider venturing out into our neighbouring state and explore one of Australia’s most relaxing towns.
HerCanberra stayed in Orange courtesy of Orange360, however, the writer’s opinions remain their own
Feature image: Hey Rosey. Credit: Pip Farquharson.
