Summary
Located high in NSW‘s Central Tablelands, Orange is characterized by a temperate climate, which contrasts with its geographical position further north than Sydney.
To the south-east, the extinct volcano, Mount Canobolas, often garnished with snow in winter, has contributed to Orange’s reputation as “Colour City” due to its vibrant autumn foliage.
The surrounding countryside is largely cultivated for vineyards, offering numerous wineries and cellar doors to explore.
Orange developed during Australia’s inaugural gold rush in the mid-19th century, boasting a wealth of historic architecture alongside a refined Victorian Park that presents stunning autumn colors.
1. Cook Park
During the establishment of Orange in the 1860s, this 4.5-hectare area was designated as a public reserve.
This land was drained and landscaped, with trees sourced from the Sydney Botanical Gardens planted in 1878, followed by the ornamental lake in 1880. Cook Park is rich in history, featuring significant structures such as Bastick Cottage (1887), the Band Rotunda (1908), the Blowes Conservatory (1934), the Frank Mulholland Sunken Garden (1935), and the fernery.
The park also houses a cannon that once protected Sydney Harbour, in addition to a field gun captured in France in 1918. From April to May, this location becomes one of the premier sites in Orange to experience the changing leaves, easily accessible from the CBD.
2. Orange Botanic Gardens
Another exceptional location for witnessing the enchanting autumn hues in Orange is the Botanic Gardens, inaugurated for Australia’s bicentenary in 1988. The gardens feature an equal division of native and exotic plantings, with approximately one-third of the specimens clearly labeled.
Among the special collections are heritage roses and native plants of the Central Tablelands. Visiting in April or May provides the opportunity to see the foliage transformed into captivating shades of red and gold.
Notable sub-gardens include the heritage orchard and two billabongs, accentuated by the impressive Federation Arch, crafted by sculptor Bert Flugelman (1923-2013).
3. Orange Wine Region
Orange has quickly established itself as a prominent cool-climate wine region.
This success can be attributed to the rich volcanic soils, moderately warm summer temperatures, rolling landscape, and consistent breezes that minimize spring frosts.
The picturesque wine country not only produces high yields but also attracts numerous visitors to its extensive vineyards and inviting cellar doors (tasting rooms). The primary grape varieties cultivated in Orange include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Shiraz, typically blended, although single varietals are occasionally produced.
Select wineries to visit encompass Heifer, Rowlee, Philip Shaw, Mortimers, Ross Hill, Swinging Bridge, and Brangayne, all conveniently located within a short distance from the city.
4. Mount Canobolas
The prominent natural feature that characterizes Orange is Mount Canobolas, reaching an elevation of 1,395 meters to the immediate south-west.
Remarkably, it stands as the highest peak between the Blue Mountains and the Indian Ocean, located several thousand kilometers to the west.
Encapsulated in diverse vegetation, Mount Canobolas is an extinct volcano, and its fertile volcanic soil nourishes vineyards on its north-facing slopes.
The peak is frequently adorned with snow in winter and offers breathtaking 360-degree vistas that extend over Orange and toward the Blue Mountains in the east.
A network of trails traverses the mountain, providing access to various scenic locations, including waterfalls and lookouts.
The Spring Glade track provides an invigorating ascent, winding through dense groves inhabited by ringtail possums and sulphur-crested cockatoos.
5. Orange Regional Museum
Adjacent to the regional gallery stands this sleek museum opened in 2017, seemingly emerging from the earth, topped with an environmentally friendly grass roof.
Exhibitions at the Orange Regional Museum are regularly updated and are derived from a broad collection encompassing Aboriginal culture, 19th-century gold mining, Orange’s architectural heritage, influential local figures, migration, wartime history, sports, and local industries such as wine, wool, and agriculture.
In 2020, upcoming exhibitions included topics such as wartime propaganda, female video game creators, early Australian photography, and mugshots from the 1920s.
6. Orange Heritage Trail
The city is home to over 40 historically significant sites, some dating back to the 19th-century gold rush, which can be explored through a self-guided, 46-stop walking trail.
A leaflet for the Orange Heritage Trail is available at the Visitor Information Centre, initiating a 90-minute journey through time starting on Byng Street.
The route features interpretive signs, showcasing notable locations such as the Court House (1881), Orange Gaol (1860s), the Metropolitan Hotel (1864), the Italianate Town Hall (1888), the Digger’s Arms Hotel (1877), the Holy Trinity Church of England (1879), the Union Bank (1857), and the Orange Post Office (1880), among others.
The informative signs recount captivating stories from Orange’s early history, highlighting early merchants, robberies, local industry, and the dynamics of 19th-century society.
7. Orange Regional Art Gallery
As of May 2020, Orange’s esteemed regional art gallery was temporarily closed for a $4 million redevelopment, scheduled for reopening in 2021. This project includes an expansion that will provide a space filled with natural light for exhibitions, as well as conservation areas and a lecture theatre.
In the interim, the museum’s collection has grown to feature over 1,500 works of Australian art from the 1920s to the present.
Highlighted are works from modern artists such as Grace Cossington Smith, Hans Heysen, Brett Whiteley, and Ian Fairweather, alongside contemporary artists including Emily Kngwarreye, Margaret Loy Pula, Harrie Fasher, and Kevin Connor.
The last exhibition before the temporary closure displayed the Days of Summer woodblock series by Italo-Australian painter and printmaker Salvatore Zofrea.
8. Pinnacle Lookout
Situated on the eastern side of Mount Canobolas, this stunning lookout is located just ten minutes by car from the heart of Orange.
The car park leads to a short yet steep ascent involving more than 200 steps.
The tree-lined pathway provides ample shade from the sun, complemented by the delightful sounds of birds, making your effort worthwhile upon reaching the summit.
The lookout offers expansive views stretching for kilometers over Orange and the Towac Valley.
This location is within a reserve, equipped with restrooms, bluestone barbecues, and shelters at the base of the trail.
9. Lake Canobolas
At the base of the northern slopes of Mount Canobolas lies Lake Canobolas, a reservoir that served as the primary water supply for Orange until the mid-20th century.
In the 1970s, the lake transitioned into a leisure destination, providing a tranquil area for leisurely walks, picnics, barbecues, or fishing.
Keep an eye on the water, as it is not uncommon to spot platypus swimming nearby; during your stroll, take a moment to appreciate the Old Pumphouse, constructed when the reservoir was completed in 1918 and beautifully restored after years of neglect.
10. Ophir Reserve
This tranquil yet rugged reserve in Summer Hill and Lewis Ponds is a site of significant Australian history.
In 1851, Ophir Reserve became the first location in Australia where gold was discovered in substantial quantities, paving the way for Orange’s establishment as a permanent settlement.
Though the gold supply was short-lived, the area still features a functional gold mine that visitors can explore.
Guests may also try their hand at gold panning in Summer Hill Creek, with pans available for borrowing from the Orange Visitor Centre, or simply enjoy the serene atmosphere in the wooded gorge where the two creeks meet.
This area is geologically intriguing, still dotted with abandoned lead mines that can be cautiously explored; it is also an ideal spot for picnics or overnight camping by the creek.
11. Nangar National Park
Orange serves as a gateway to the remarkable scenery of the Nangar-Murga Range.
The peaks dramatically rise above the farmlands of NSW’s Central West, with the highest point being the 778-meter Nangar Mountain.
Far removed from light pollution, the night skies in Nangar National Park are known for their brilliance, while daylight brings visitors to enjoy refreshing walks during autumn, winter, and spring, or to admire the flower-laden slopes in summer.
A spectacular lookout is situated atop Mount Nangar, offering myriad opportunities for wildlife observation, including various species of wallabies and kangaroos, along with birds of prey such as hawks and peregrine falcons gliding along the ridges.
12. Orange Adventure Playground
Younger family members will be pleased to discover that Orange features one of the finest adventure playgrounds in New South Wales.
This area includes swings, slides, and climbing structures suitable for children of various sizes and abilities, complemented by thoughtfully designed elements such as a tree house, rocket ship, farm tractor, and rock wall.
Younger visitors can also learn road safety on the bicycle track, and the area includes a café, picnic facilities, barbecues, and everything necessary for an economical family outing.
13. Huntley Berry Farm
Situated on the basalt plains near Mount Canobolas, Huntley Berry Farm operates as a not-for-profit entity encompassed by picturesque surroundings and cultivates 11 kinds of berries, ranging from blueberries to raspberries.
The pick-your-own season, during which visitors can gather their own berries, runs from mid-November to May, coinciding with various activities on the farm.
Children have the chance to interact with rabbits, goats, chickens, guinea pigs, and the friendly family dog, while landscaped grassy areas are available for games and picnics under mature trees.
The on-site shop offers a selection of gourmet jams, chutneys, fruit syrups, and vinegars handcrafted on the farm.
14. Borenore Caves
Travel west from Orange, beyond Borenore, to find a reserve containing over 40 limestone caves.
These caves are renowned for their jagged karst features and Silurian-period fossils of marine life including trilobites, brachiopods, corals, crinoids, and gastropods.
Among the largest and most notable caves are the Arch Cave, Verandah Cave, and the enigmatic Tunnel Cave, which features a 110-meter passage leading into the base of a tall hillside.
The Tunnel Cave serves as a hibernation site for the eastern bent-wing bat and is therefore off-limits from May to October.
Visitors should remember to bring a torch when exploring to appreciate the stunning concretions of Arch Cave in all their glory.
15. Gosling Creek Reserve
Located closer to the city, this reserve has been established on what was once a pine plantation, easily accessible on foot or by bicycle.
This site also represents Orange’s first manmade water supply, completed in 1890. The rejuvenation of the land has led to the resurgence of approximately 50 native species, resulting in a vibrant display of colors during the spring and summer wildflower bloom.
Additionally, notable specimen trees include two giant sequoias and a Deodar cedar, believed to have been planted at the time of the reservoir’s creation.
Activities available at Gosling Creek Reserve encompass walking, cycling, picnicking, and fishing for golden perch and trout, while children can enjoy the playground facilities.
