Orange is one of those towns that rewards slow travel. The cool-climate food and wine scene, the heritage streetscapes, the volcanic landscapes, and the genuinely good coffee are all reason enough to visit. But what makes Orange particularly special is what surrounds it: within 90 minutes in any direction, you have heritage villages, ancient cave systems, hot air balloon towns, motorsport history, and some of the most scenic wine country in New South Wales.

Whether you’re spending a long weekend or extending a work trip, these are the day trips worth building your itinerary around.

Quick Summary

• Best all-rounder: Millthorpe for heritage, cafes, and an easy half-day
• Best for couples: Canowindra for ballooning or the Cargo Road wine trail for a long lunch
• Best for families: Mount Canobolas, Lake Canobolas, or Cowra
• Best for history: Carcoar for colonial heritage, or Cowra for wartime history
• Best for nature: Borenore Caves and Mount Canobolas
• Best bigger-day option: Bathurst for motorsport, museums, and a proper city feel

A note on distance: All trips below are under 90 minutes from Orange’s CBD. Most are under an hour. You won’t spend your day in the car.

Drive time: 25 minutes south-east of Orange

Millthorpe is the easiest sell of any day trip in the region. It’s a heritage-listed village of around 800 people that has held onto its 19th-century streetscape almost entirely intact, without tipping into the kind of over-curated twee that makes some heritage towns feel like theme parks.

The main street is genuinely worth a slow walk. Antique shops, independent boutiques, and a handful of excellent cafes sit in buildings that haven’t changed much since the gold rush era. The local bakery draws a crowd on weekends, and if you’re visiting in the warmer months, the surrounding countryside is in full bloom.

What to do in Millthorpe

• Browse the antique shops and galleries along Pym Street
• Stop for brunch or lunch at one of the village cafes
• Visit the nearby cellar doors, including Borrodell Vineyard, which also has an orchard and produces cider
• Walk the village streets and photograph the original Victorian architecture
• Pick up local produce from farm stalls on the drive in or out

Best for

Couples, slow travellers, anyone who likes beautiful old buildings and good coffee without a crowd.

Best time to go

Spring and autumn, when the surrounding gardens and orchards are at their best. Weekday visits are quieter, though the village is relaxed enough that weekends aren’t overwhelming.

Know before you go

Millthorpe is small. Most things close by mid-afternoon on weekdays, so aim to arrive by 10am if you want the full run of the village.

Drive time: 35 minutes south of Orange

Carcoar makes Millthorpe look busy. It’s one of the best-preserved 19th-century villages in New South Wales, with a main street that has changed so little it has been used repeatedly as a film and television location. The Carcoar Historic Village sits on the banks of the Belubula River and the whole place has a quiet, unhurried quality that is increasingly hard to find.

The sandstone courthouse, the old bank buildings, and the church on the hill are all worth seeing. This is not a town full of tourist shops; it’s a real place that happens to look like a film set.

What to do in Carcoar

• Walk the heritage trail through the main street and along the Belubula River
• Visit the Carcoar Dam, a short drive from the village, for picnics and birdwatching
• Stop at the local pub for a counter lunch
• Photograph the sandstone courthouse and colonial streetscape
• Combine with a stop in Millthorpe on the way back for a full day out

Best for

History lovers, photographers, couples looking for something genuinely off the beaten track.

Best time to go

Any time of year. Autumn light on the sandstone buildings is particularly good. Avoid going on a Sunday if you want the pub open.

Know before you go

Carcoar is tiny and services are limited. Bring your own snacks or plan your visit around the pub’s trading hours.

Drive time: 45 minutes south-east of Orange

Canowindra (pronounced “Ca-NOWNdra” by locals) punches well above its weight for a town of 1,500 people. It is the hot air ballooning capital of Australia, home to the Age of Fishes Museum with one of the world’s most significant collections of Devonian fish fossils, and has a main street with enough good food and wine to fill a comfortable afternoon.

The ballooning scene here is the real draw for many visitors. Operators offer flights over the Belubula Valley at dawn, and the landscape from the air, rolling hills, river flats, and vineyard rows, is genuinely spectacular.

What to do in Canowindra

• Book a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Belubula Valley (book well in advance, especially on weekends)
• Visit the Age of Fishes Museum, which houses fossils dating back 360 million years
• Walk the heritage-listed main street and stop for coffee or lunch
• Browse the local galleries and boutiques
• Visit nearby Windowrie Winery for a cellar door tasting with valley views

Best for

Couples, families with curious kids, anyone who wants a memorable experience rather than just a scenic drive.

Best time to go

Spring and autumn for ballooning conditions and pleasant temperatures. The Canowindra International Balloon Challenge is held annually and draws hundreds of balloons from around the world.

Know before you go

Balloon flights must be booked in advance and are weather-dependent. If you’re visiting purely for the flight, have a backup plan for the day in case conditions don’t cooperate.

Drive time: 20 minutes west of Orange

The Borenore area offers two very different reasons to visit, and you can easily combine both in a single day. The first is the Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve, a free-entry national park with a network of natural limestone caves formed by volcanic activity from nearby Mount Canobolas. The second is the Borenore Trail, a cluster of cellar doors, farm gates, and produce outlets within a short drive of each other.

The caves themselves are undeveloped, which is part of the appeal. There are no guided tours or handrails; you bring your own torch and explore at your own pace. The Verandah Cave is the most accessible, with a walk of around six kilometres return from the picnic area. The marble quarried from this reserve was used in the Strand Arcade in Sydney and reportedly in Buckingham Palace, which gives you a sense of how significant the geology here actually is.

If you want to pair the caves with more walking in the area, our guide to hikes, tracks and waterholes around Orange covers the full range of options within easy reach of town.

What to do around Borenore

• Explore the cave system at Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve (bring a torch and sturdy shoes)
• Picnic at the reserve’s picnic area beside Boree Creek
• Drive the Borenore Trail and visit cellar doors including Heifer Station, Small Acres Cyder, and Orange Mountain Wines
• Stop at the Norland Fig Orchard for fresh and dried figs in season
• Pick up apple cider at Small Acres Cyder, one of the region’s most awarded cider producers

Best for

Nature lovers, wine and produce enthusiasts, active travellers who want a mix of walking and tasting.

Best time to go

The caves are accessible year-round in all weather on sealed roads. Cellar doors along the Borenore Trail are generally open Thursday to Sunday; check individual websites before visiting.

Know before you go

The caves are free to enter but bring your own water, as the creek water is not suitable for drinking. Cave floors are slippery even when dry, so footwear matters.

Drive time: 15 minutes south-west of Orange

Mount Canobolas is an extinct volcano that sits at 1,395 metres above sea level, making it the highest point in the Central West and the source of the cold air that gives the Orange wine region its character. Lake Canobolas, formed in the crater below the summit, is one of those spots that Orange locals visit constantly but rarely think to mention to visitors.

The views from the summit on a clear day stretch across the Central Tablelands in every direction. The walking tracks around the lake and through the surrounding reserve are well-maintained and suitable for most fitness levels, making this an easy half-day option that can be combined with a cellar door visit on the way back into town. For a full rundown of walks in and around Orange, including the Federal Falls track and the Mount Canobolas Summit, see our guide to hikes and nature trails near Orange.

What to do at Mount and Lake Canobolas

• Walk the Lake Canobolas circuit track, a gentle loop around the lake with mountain views
• Drive to the Mount Canobolas summit lookout for panoramic views across the Central West
• Picnic at the lake foreshore, which has barbecue facilities and shelter
• Birdwatch in the surrounding reserve, which supports a range of woodland species
• Combine with a visit to nearby Cargo Road cellar doors for a wine tasting on the way home

Best for

Families, active travellers, anyone who wants fresh air and scenery without a long drive.

Best time to go

Spring for wildflowers, autumn for the golden light and cool temperatures. Winter mornings can bring frost and occasional snow at the summit, which is genuinely spectacular if you time it right.

Know before you go

The road to the summit is sealed and accessible by 2WD vehicles. The area can be cold and windy even in summer, so bring a layer regardless of the forecast in town.

Drive time: 20 to 30 minutes south of Orange

The Cargo Road corridor is where many of the Orange wine region’s most acclaimed producers are clustered. Unlike a formal wine trail with a set itinerary, this is more of a scenic drive through cool-climate vineyards where you can stop as little or as much as you like. The road itself winds through undulating countryside south of Orange, and the views between cellar doors are half the appeal.

The producers along this stretch tend to be smaller and more personal than some of the bigger names closer to town. Tastings are often conducted by the winemaker or a family member, which makes for a very different experience to a polished cellar door with a tasting menu.

Cellar doors worth stopping at along Cargo Road

• Printhie Wines – one of the region’s larger and more awarded producers, with a well-designed cellar door and sweeping views
• Rowlee Wines – boutique, family-owned, known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
• See Saw Wines – certified organic, with a relaxed and welcoming cellar door
• Nashdale Lane – small-batch wines in a beautiful vineyard setting
• De Salis Wines – family-run and focused on minimal-intervention winemaking

Best for

Wine lovers, couples, anyone who wants a long, unhurried afternoon without needing to drive to multiple postcodes.

Best time to go

Harvest season (February to April) is the most atmospheric time to visit, when the vines are heavy with fruit and the winemakers are at their most animated. Most cellar doors are open Thursday to Sunday; some require bookings, particularly for group tastings.

Know before you go

Check individual cellar door websites or the Orange Wine Region visitor guide before heading out. Opening hours vary and some producers close during vintage.

Drive time: 1 hour 5 minutes south-east of Orange

Cowra is one of those regional towns that has more going on than its size suggests. It sits on the Lachlan River and carries a significant piece of Australian wartime history: the Cowra Breakout of 1944, when over 1,000 Japanese prisoners of war escaped from the local POW camp in one of the largest prison escapes of the Second World War. The story is sobering and fascinating in equal measure, and the town has handled its history with genuine thoughtfulness.

The Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre is the most visited attraction in town and one of the largest Japanese gardens in the Southern Hemisphere. It was built as a gesture of reconciliation and is genuinely beautiful, particularly in autumn when the Japanese maples are at their best.

What to do in Cowra

• Walk the Cowra Japanese Garden, especially striking in autumn and spring
• Visit the Cowra Breakout site and the war cemeteries, which include both Australian and Japanese graves
• Stop at the Cowra Visitor Centre for context on the town’s history
• Browse the main street for cafes and local produce
• Consider combining with a stop in Carcoar or Millthorpe on the drive back through

Best for

History enthusiasts, garden lovers, couples, families with teenagers who can engage with the historical context.

Best time to go

Autumn (March to May) for the Japanese maples in the garden, or spring for blossom. The town is pleasant year-round.

Know before you go

The Japanese Garden charges an entry fee. The Breakout site and war cemeteries are free. Allow at least half a day if you want to cover both properly.

Drive time: 50 minutes east of Orange

Bathurst is the largest city within easy reach of Orange, and it earns its place on this list for a different reason than the others: it gives you a proper day out with proper infrastructure. Good restaurants, major museums, and the most famous motorsport circuit in Australia all sit within a compact, walkable city that has been the capital of the Central West since the 1800s.

Mount Panorama is the obvious drawcard. Even outside race weekends, you can drive the circuit in your own car (at road speed), and the combination of elevation change and sweeping corners gives you a real sense of why it produces such dramatic racing. The National Motor Racing Museum at the foot of the mountain is worth a couple of hours for anyone with even a passing interest in motorsport history.

Beyond the circuit, Bathurst has a strong food and coffee scene, a well-preserved heritage precinct around Russell Street, and the excellent Bathurst Regional Art Gallery.

What to do in Bathurst

• Drive Mount Panorama circuit (public road, open daily outside race events)
• Visit the National Motor Racing Museum at the base of the mountain
• Walk the heritage precinct along William and Russell Streets
• Visit the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery for rotating exhibitions
• Have lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants in the CBD

Best for

Motorsport fans, families, anyone who wants the feel of a city day without the drive to Sydney.

Best time to go

Any time of year. Race weekends (particularly the Bathurst 1000 in October) bring massive crowds and accommodation books out months in advance, so plan accordingly or avoid entirely if you prefer a quieter visit.

Know before you go

Bathurst is big enough to need a plan. Decide before you go whether it’s a motorsport day, a food and culture day, or a mix of both. Trying to do everything in one visit leads to doing nothing well.

Not sure where to start? Here’s a shortcut based on what you’re after.

If you only have one free day: Millthorpe in the morning, Cargo Road cellar doors in the afternoon. You’ll be back in Orange for dinner without feeling rushed.

Best for couples: Canowindra (balloon flight at dawn, lunch on the main street) or the Cargo Road wine trail with a long cellar door lunch.

Best for families: Cowra Japanese Garden and Breakout site, or Mount and Lake Canobolas for walking and a picnic. Our family itinerary for Orange also covers the best in-town options to round out a family weekend.

Best for wine lovers: Cargo Road Trail or the Borenore Trail, both of which have enough cellar doors to fill a full day without repetition.

Best for history: Carcoar or Cowra, depending on whether you want colonial architecture or wartime history.

Best for nature and walking: Borenore Caves and the surrounding reserve, or Mount Canobolas for views and birdwatching.

Best in winter: Carcoar and Millthorpe both have a cosy, fireside quality in the colder months. Several cellar doors along the Cargo Road Trail also offer winter tasting menus and open fires.

Best in autumn: Cowra for the Japanese maples, or any of the wine trails during harvest (February to April).

The thing about all of these day trips is that they work best when you’re not rushing back to somewhere inconvenient. Orange’s CBD location puts you within easy reach of every destination on this list, which means you can leave after a proper breakfast, spend the day without watching the clock, and be back for dinner at one of the town’s excellent restaurants.

If you’re planning a few days in the region, staying centrally makes the logistics simple. de Russie Boutique Hotel sits in the heart of Orange’s CBD, with self-contained suites and apartments that give you a comfortable base to come back to after a long day on the road. If you’re still planning what to do in Orange itself, our weekend escape guide covers the best restaurants, bars, and things to do in town. EV charging is available on-site, which matters if you’re driving an electric vehicle through regional NSW.

The Central West rewards visitors who slow down and stay a while. One day trip is a good start. Three or four, with a comfortable base in between, is how you actually get to know this part of the country.

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news. Orange has just been recognised as one of NSW’s finest tourism destinations at the 2026 NSW Top Tourism Town Awards, taking home not one, but two honours:

• Silver in the Top Tourism Town category (population over 5,000)
• NRMA People’s Choice Award in the same category, voted by travellers from across the state

The awards were announced at the Local Government NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference in Maitland, and the double result is worth pausing on. Silver in a judged category is a genuine mark of quality, assessed against towns from across the entire state. But the People’s Choice? That one is different. It wasn’t decided by a panel. Real visitors, people who have actually walked our streets, sipped our wines and sat down to long lunches in our restaurants, cast their votes for Orange. You can’t manufacture that kind of endorsement.

It’s official recognition of what our guests already know: Orange is one of the most rewarding places to visit in New South Wales.

For a town of around 42,000 people nestled in the Central West, this is no small achievement. Orange competed against some of the state’s most well-known regional destinations and came away with two of the most coveted awards on offer. If you’ve been thinking about making the trip, consider this your sign.

Ask anyone who has visited and they’ll give you a different answer. That’s the thing about Orange: it doesn’t have one drawcard, it has dozens. Perched on the slopes of an ancient dormant volcano at around 860 metres above sea level, the town enjoys a genuine four-season climate that shapes everything from the food on your plate to the landscape outside your window.

Orange is home to over 30 cellar doors, and the cool-climate growing conditions here produce wines that are genuinely distinctive. Sitting at around 860 metres above sea level on the slopes of an ancient extinct volcano, the altitude means slower ripening, which translates to more complex flavours, better natural acidity and a freshness you don’t find in warmer growing regions. The Orange wine region is now firmly on the national map, drawing serious wine lovers from Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra year-round.

The varieties that thrive here, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon among them, have put Orange firmly on the national wine map. Whether you’re doing a tasting at Ross Hill Wines (Australia’s first certified carbon-neutral winery), exploring the stunning vineyard views at Swinging Bridge, or discovering smaller producers like Philip Shaw or Heifer Station, you could spend an entire weekend just on the wine trail and barely scratch the surface. Our guide to the best wineries near Orange NSW covers the top cellar doors in detail if you want to start planning your route.

The Orange Wine Festival and FOOD Week events draw visitors from Sydney and beyond every year, and for good reason. There’s a genuine sense of community among the producers here, and that translates into cellar door experiences that feel personal rather than transactional. If a long winery lunch is on your agenda, our guide to the art of a long lunch at Orange wineries is worth a read before you go.

The restaurant and café culture in Orange has grown into something genuinely impressive. Produce-driven menus, local ingredients, and a community of passionate chefs have made this a serious food destination. The town’s café strip on Summer Street serves up excellent coffee and some of the best pastries in regional NSW, and the Orange Farmers Market is a great spot to stock up on local produce. For a full rundown of where to eat, our Orange NSW food guide covers everything from fine dining to local favourites.

But it goes well beyond breakfast. Orange has a handful of restaurants that would hold their own in any major city. Think wood-fired menus, inventive small plates built around seasonal produce, and wine lists that champion local makers. Byng Street Local Store and Racine Bakery are just two of the names that keep food lovers coming back. And because the town is compact and walkable, you can move from a morning coffee to a long lunch to an evening glass of Shiraz without ever needing to get in a car.

The broader food culture here is also worth noting. Orange has a strong farmers market scene, a thriving artisan producer community, and a genuine farm-to-table ethos that isn’t just marketing. When a restaurant says the produce is local, it usually means it came from within a 30-minute drive.

Beyond the food and wine, there’s a natural landscape around Orange that’s worth the trip on its own. Lake Canobolas Reserve offers walking and cycling trails, birdwatching and picnic spots set against a backdrop that feels a world away from the city. The Pinnacle Lookout delivers sweeping 360-degree views across the Central West that genuinely stop you in your tracks. And Cook Park, right in the middle of town, is one of those rare urban green spaces that actually earns its reputation. We’ve put together a full guide to hikes, tracks and waterholes around Orange NSW if you want to get out and explore.

Then there’s the seasonal beauty that Orange is quietly famous for. In autumn, the deciduous trees across the town and surrounding countryside turn spectacular shades of gold, amber and red. It’s the kind of foliage display you’d expect to travel to Japan or New England for, and it happens right here in regional NSW. Visitors come from Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne specifically for it.

Winter brings its own appeal. There’s a genuine crispness in the air that makes a warm fire, a long lunch and a glass of bold local red feel like exactly the right plan. It’s a slower, cosier version of Orange, and plenty of travellers prefer it that way. And come spring, the blossoms across the region are something to see, with cherry trees, ornamental pears and flowering plums putting on a show across the countryside.

With two awards in hand, there’s never been a better time to plan a visit. And when you do, where you stay matters. If you’re still putting together your itinerary, our weekend escape guide to Orange is a great place to start.

At de Russie Boutique Hotel, we’re right in the heart of Orange’s CBD, which means you’re a short stroll from the town’s best restaurants, cafés and shops, and an easy drive to the wine region. Our 25 self-contained luxury suites and apartments come with full kitchen or kitchenette facilities, so you can pick up local produce from one of Orange’s excellent farmers markets and make yourself at home. We also offer continental breakfast, EV charging, and the kind of personalised service that a boutique property can deliver in a way that larger hotels simply can’t.

Our location is genuinely hard to beat. You can walk to dinner, walk back, and wake up the next morning to a continental breakfast before heading out to the cellar doors. If you’re driving in from Sydney (about three and a half hours), you can be checked in, unpacked and at a wine tasting before the afternoon is over. For those flying in, Orange Airport connects directly to Sydney with multiple flights daily.

Some of the best days we see our guests have start with a quiet breakfast in their suite and end with a glass of something local and a slow drive back through farmland as the sun drops behind the hills. Nine times out of ten, those days involve Millthorpe.

Just 20 minutes from our front door at de Russie Boutique Hotel, Millthorpe is one of those places that genuinely earns the word “charming.” It is a heritage village of cobbled streets, bluestone buildings, cellar doors, and independent boutiques – the kind of place that slows you down in the best possible way. It was recently nominated in the 2026 NSW Top Tourism Town Awards (Tiny Tourism Towns category), and if you have spent any time there, you will understand why.

This is the self-guided day trip we hand to every guest who asks us what to do beyond Orange. We have put it together based on what we know works: where to start, what to linger over, where to eat, and how to make the most of a single, unhurried day.

Plan your visit Thu to Sun. Most of Millthorpe’s shops, cellar doors, and cafes operate Thursday to Sunday. We recommend timing your trip accordingly to get the full experience.

Before you even think about the drive, there is breakfast to enjoy. Every suite at de Russie Boutique Hotel comes with a complimentary continental breakfast, prepared and placed in your suite before you arrive. It is a proper start to the day: fresh, unhurried, and eaten at your own pace with no dining room schedules to worry about.

This matters more than it sounds. Millthorpe is a village best experienced slowly, and arriving there relaxed and well-fed makes a real difference. We replenish breakfast daily throughout your stay, so whether your Millthorpe day is day one or day three, the morning ritual stays the same.

Once you are ready, the drive itself is worth savouring. The route winds through rolling countryside framed by vineyards and farmland. It takes about 20 minutes and sets the tone for everything that follows.

We recommend starting your Millthorpe visit with a wine tasting. It sets a relaxed pace and gives you something to talk about over lunch. There are two standout cellar doors to choose from, and both are worth your time.

Angullong Wines

Angullong is housed in a beautiful historic bluestone building that feels like it belongs on a postcard. The setting alone makes it worth the stop, and the wines back it up. The Angullong family has been farming this land for generations, and that connection to place comes through in the glass. It is a classic country cellar door experience done properly.

Tamburlaine Millthorpe Cellar Door

If you prefer something with a more contemporary feel, Tamburlaine is the pick. They are a certified organic producer, one of Australia’s largest, and their Millthorpe cellar door is a relaxed space to explore their sustainable varietals. It is a good conversation starter if you are curious about organic and biodynamic winemaking in the Orange wine region.

Our suggestion: Visit one cellar door in the morning before lunch, and save the second for a leisurely afternoon tasting. It paces the day well and leaves room for everything in between.

Tonic is the kind of restaurant that makes a day trip feel like a proper occasion. It has been award-winning since 2003, holds a chef’s hat, and centres its menu around the best local produce and regional wines the Central West has to offer. If you are visiting Millthorpe and you do not eat at Tonic, you have left the best bit out.

“Tonic Restaurant celebrates innovative cuisine using the finest local produce and regional wines.” – Tonic Restaurant

The menu changes with the seasons, so what you eat in autumn will be different to what lands on the table in spring. That is the point. The kitchen is deeply connected to what is growing and being produced around Orange and Millthorpe, and it shows.

Tonic opening hours:

• Thursday: Dinner 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
• Friday: Dinner 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
• Saturday: Lunch & Dinner 12:00 pm – 9:30 pm
• Sunday: Lunch 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Bookings are essential. We strongly recommend securing a table before you arrive in Millthorpe, particularly on weekends. Saturday lunch is especially popular.

After the cellar doors, Millthorpe rewards a slow wander. The village is compact and walkable, with most of its best spots along and around Pym Street. Here is what we point guests towards:

The Old Mill Cafe & Restaurant

If you want a proper coffee and something to eat before the cellar doors open, The Old Mill is the place. It sits right on Pym Street in a building that looks exactly as a Millthorpe cafe should, and it has been feeding visitors and locals since well before the village became a weekend destination. The kitchen is known for its housemade pies, cakes, and locally roasted coffee – the kind of place where you order at the counter, find a table outside in the sun, and end up staying longer than planned.

The menu runs through breakfast and lunch: wraps, salads, burgers, pies, frittata, fish and chips. Nothing fussy, all good. It is also vegetarian and vegan friendly, which is worth knowing if you are travelling with mixed dietary needs.

More Stops Worth Making

• Millthorpe Sweets and Treats – Handcrafted local sweets, nostalgic lollies, and artisanal chocolates. A genuinely lovely stop, and hard to leave empty-handed.
• Galvanised at Millthorpe (The Lampshade Shop) – One of Millthorpe’s most talked-about hidden gems. Colourful, one-of-a-kind lampshade designs and homewares that you will not find anywhere else.
• Millthorpe Providore – Small-batch pantry staples, gourmet produce, and local goods. Great for picking up something to bring home or back to the suite.
• Clothing and Gift Boutiques – Several independent stores along Pym Street stock artisan goods, regional crafts, and homewares. Worth a browse even if you are not looking for anything specific.

The Heritage Walk

If you want to stretch your legs, Millthorpe’s streetscape itself is worth exploring on foot. The village retains much of its 19th and early 20th century architecture, and the Golden Memories Millthorpe Museum features eight heritage buildings that tell the story of the town’s history. It is a quieter stop but a meaningful one, particularly if you appreciate the history of the Central West.

According to Destination NSW, Millthorpe is “a very picturesque spot that is well worth the visit” – which, if you have spent an afternoon wandering its streets, feels like an understatement.

See more to do in Millthorpe here

By the time you make the 20-minute drive back to Orange, you will have covered a lot of ground for a single day: wine, lunch, boutiques, heritage streets, and more. The kind of day that feels full without ever feeling rushed.

That is exactly what a good base makes possible. At De Russie, our 25 self-contained suites are designed for this kind of travel: comfortable enough to genuinely relax in, well-appointed enough to feel like a treat, and located close enough to Orange’s CBD that nothing requires effort.

Pull into our EV charging bay if you need it, head up to your suite, and let the evening unfold at whatever pace suits you. There is no check-in desk to queue at, no restaurant sitting time to meet. Just your suite, your itinerary done for the day, and the kind of quiet that comes from a day well spent.

Orange, NSW has quietly become one of Australia’s most exciting cool-climate wine regions. Sitting at an elevation of 600 to 1,100 metres above sea level on the slopes of an ancient volcano, the Orange Wine Region produces wines of remarkable elegance: crisp chardonnays, silky pinot noirs, and aromatic whites that you simply won’t find anywhere else in the country.

With more than 40 cellar doors within easy reach of the Orange CBD, a weekend here barely scratches the surface. This guide covers the best cellar doors to visit, what to expect, and how to plan your days so you get the most out of the region.

Before you start planning your route, it helps to understand what makes Orange wines so distinctive. The region sits on the slopes of Mount Canobolas, known to the traditional Wiradjuri custodians as Gaanha Bula, an extinct volcano that provides the rich basalt soils and high elevation that define the region’s character.

The elevation is everything. At 600 to 1,100 metres above sea level, Orange is one of the highest wine regions in Australia. The cool nights, warm days, and late ripening season produce grapes with naturally high acidity, intense aromatics, and exceptional structure. It’s why Orange chardonnay and pinot noir have developed such a strong reputation nationally and internationally.

1. Swinging Bridge Wines

• Address: 701 The Escort Way, Orange NSW 2800
• Hours: 7 days, 10am – 4pm (bookings preferred; Indulge and Immerse experiences Tuesday, Friday and Saturday – bookings essential)
• Website: swingingbridge.com.au

Just five minutes from the Orange CBD, Swinging Bridge is one of the most celebrated cellar doors in the region. Winemaker and viticulturist Tom Ward has built the estate into a premium cool-climate producer, with the vineyard sitting at 900 metres above sea level on south-facing volcanic slopes.

The cellar door offers indoor seating and a verandah with sweeping views towards Mount Canobolas. Wines are poured in quality stemware by a knowledgeable team who guide you through the Winemaker, Hashtag, and Single Vineyard series. Chardonnay and pinot noir are the standout varieties.

Best for: First-time visitors who want a premium, guided tasting experience close to town.

2. Rowlee Wines

• Address: 19 Lake Canobolas Road, Nashdale NSW 2800
• Hours: 7 days, 11am – 5pm (bookings recommended)
• Website: rowleewines.com.au

Nestled in the foothills of Mount Canobolas at 950 metres above sea level, Rowlee is one of the most beautiful cellar doors in the region. The vineyard was established over 20 years ago by Nik and Deonne Samodol, and is now run by their daughter Nicole Samodol and partner James Manny, who bring a European wine-growing heritage to the Orange terroir.

The cellar door offers two tasting experiences: a Varietal Wine Tasting (five new release wines with optional seasonal small plates) and a Sensory Wine Tasting (single vineyard wines in varietal glassware). The property is pet-friendly on lead.

Rowlee is particularly known for its Italian varieties, arneis and nebbiolo, alongside chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot gris, riesling, and gewurztraminer. The wood fire in winter and sun-drenched deck in warmer months make this a place you’ll want to linger.

Best for: Wine lovers who appreciate European-style varieties and a genuinely beautiful setting.

3. Philip Shaw Wines

• Address: 100 Shiralee Road, Orange NSW 2800
• Hours: 7 days, 11am – 5pm (bookings advised; Sunday lunch available 12pm – 3pm)
• Website: philipshaw.com.au

Philip Shaw is one of the founding names of the Orange wine region and a benchmark producer for the area. The Koomooloo Vineyard covers 66 hectares and is currently transitioning to organic farming.

The cellar door is set in a beautiful bluestone barn surrounded by immaculately landscaped gardens. The range covers chardonnay, pinot noir, shiraz, sauvignon blanc, cabernet franc, riesling, arneis, pinot gris, viognier, and merlot. Sunday lunch is available from 12pm to 3pm, making it an ideal anchor for a Sunday afternoon.

Best for: Those who want to taste the wines that helped put Orange on the national map, in a setting that matches the quality of what’s in the glass.

4. Printhie Wines

• Address: 208 Nancarrow Lane, Nashdale NSW 2800
• Hours: Friday – Saturday 10am – 5pm; Sunday – Thursday 11am – 4pm (online bookings essential)
• Website: printhiewines.com.au

Printhie is one of the most exciting cellar door experiences in the region. The estate was established in 1996 and has vineyards ranging from 630 metres up to 1,070 metres above sea level, among the highest in Australia.

The tasting experience ($15 per person) covers the full range including the acclaimed Swift Sparkling series. The wine bar serves cheese platters and freshly shucked oysters from an on-site oyster tank. The Sparkling and Oyster Tasting ($80 per person) is a genuine highlight, alongside Printhie Picnic experiences and Sparkling Masterclasses.

Best for: Groups looking for a full experience beyond just tasting. The wine bar, oysters, and dining options make it a destination in its own right.

5. Ross Hill Wines

• Address: 134 Wallace Lane, Orange NSW 2800
• Hours: 7 days, 10:30am – 4:30pm (bookings highly recommended; winery tours before 10am – bookings essential)
• Website: rosshillwines.com.au

Ross Hill is a certified carbon neutral winery and one of the region’s most thoughtful producers. Established in 1994, the estate produces chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, pinot noir, shiraz, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc.

The Barrel and Larder School of Wine and Food operates from the cellar door, offering structured wine and food education experiences. Personalised winery tours run before 10am each day, a rare chance to go behind the scenes at a working cool-climate winery.

Best for: Wine enthusiasts who want to go deeper. The winery tours and Barrel and Larder experiences offer genuine education alongside excellent wines.

6. See Saw Wines

• Address: 42 Lake Canobolas Road, Nashdale NSW 2800
• Hours: Sunday – Friday 11am – 4pm; Saturday 11am – 5pm
• Website: seesawwine.com

See Saw is one of the larger producers in the region with 120 hectares of vineyards, but the cellar door experience remains personal and relaxed. Located in Nashdale, about 10 minutes from the Orange CBD, the estate is known for its prosecco, chardonnay, riesling, gamay, pinot noir, and syrah.

Winemaker Monica Gray has built a strong reputation for wines that are approachable without being simple. It’s a great stop for those who want to taste a broad range of varieties in a single visit.

Best for: Those who want a relaxed, no-fuss tasting with excellent variety and great value.

7. Heifer Station

• Address: 790 Pinnacle Road, Canobolas NSW 2800
• Hours: 7 days, 11am – 5pm
• Website: heiferstation.com

Heifer Station is one of the most characterful cellar doors in the region, set in a beautifully restored historic shearing shed at almost 900 metres above sea level. This is a genuinely family-friendly destination. While adults taste through the chardonnay, pinot gris, rosé, pinot noir, merlot, shiraz, and sparkling, children can enjoy the property’s farmyard animals, handball court, sandpit, and bocce. Cheese boards are available to accompany your tasting.

Best for: Families, or anyone who wants a cellar door experience with genuine character and history.

8. Nashdale Lane Wines

• Address: 125 Nashdale Lane, Nashdale NSW 2800
• Hours: Thursday – Tuesday, 11am – 5pm (closed Wednesdays; bookings recommended)
• Website: nashdalelane.com

Nashdale Lane is a hands-on family operation run by Nick and Tanya Segger on an 18-hectare vineyard about 10 minutes from the Orange CBD. The cellar door is set in a beautifully converted apple packing shed, and the whole experience has the kind of unhurried, personal feel that comes from tasting with the people who actually made the wine.

The standard tasting ($10 per person) covers a range of whites and reds from the estate, with an upgraded premium tasting available for those who want to go deeper into the range. Bookings are by table rather than per head, which makes it a relaxed option for groups of varying sizes. The rosé is consistently singled out as a highlight.

Best for: Those who want a genuinely personal cellar door experience with the winemakers themselves, in a setting that feels a long way from the tourist trail.

9. Ferment – The Orange Wine Centre

• Address: 87 Hill Street, Orange NSW 2800
• Hours: Monday – Friday 12pm – 9pm; Saturday 11am – 9pm (wine tastings Monday – Friday 12pm – 5pm)
• Website: orangewinecentre.com.au

If you’re short on time or want to taste as broadly as possible without driving between cellar doors, Ferment is the answer. Located right in the Orange CBD on Hill Street, the same street as de Russie Boutique Hotel, Ferment offers wines from multiple local producers in a single, sophisticated wine bar setting.

Curated tasting flights give you a genuine cross-section of what the Orange Wine Region produces. Enomatic wine dispensers allow you to try before you buy outside of tasting hours. It’s also a proper wine bar open into the evening, making it the perfect spot to finish a day of cellar door visits.

Best for: First-time visitors who want a broad introduction to the region, or anyone who wants to keep drinking after the cellar doors close.

Day 1 – The Nashdale Trail

The Nashdale area, about 10 minutes south of Orange, clusters several excellent cellar doors close together. Start at Rowlee Wines when it opens at 11am, then head to See Saw Wines nearby, and finish the afternoon at Printhie Wines for their wine bar and oysters. Return to de Russie for the evening, freshen up, and walk to Ferment on Hill Street for a nightcap and dinner.

Day 2 – The Escort Way and Beyond

Start with an early winery tour at Ross Hill Wines (before 10am, bookings essential), then head to Swinging Bridge Wines on The Escort Way for a guided tasting. After lunch, drive out to Philip Shaw Wines on Shiralee Road for the afternoon. Sunday lunch at Philip Shaw from 12pm is a wonderful way to round out the weekend before heading home.

Add on: Heifer Station on Pinnacle Road is worth the extra 15-minute drive, particularly if you’re travelling with family or want the most unique setting in the region.

• Book ahead. Most cellar doors in Orange require or strongly prefer bookings. Weekends during FOOD Week (March) and harvest season (April to May) fill up quickly. Always check the winery website before you go.
• Don’t drink and drive. Designate a driver, book a tour, or plan your route so that your furthest cellar door is your first stop and you work your way back towards Orange. Several tour operators run winery shuttle services from the Orange CBD.
• Pace yourself. Six cellar doors in a day sounds achievable. It rarely is if you want to actually enjoy each one. Three to four is a better target for a full, unhurried experience.
• Bring cash or a card. Most cellar doors charge a tasting fee (typically $15 to $25 per person), which is often redeemable against a wine purchase.
• Take a cool bag. If you’re buying bottles to take home, a portable cooler is worth having in the car, especially in summer when temperatures can climb.

At de Russie Boutique Hotel Orange, 25 beautifully appointed self-contained suites and spacious two and three bedroom apartments offer a refined and comfortable base for your stay. Each features a kitchenette or full kitchen, perfect for storing your cellar door finds and enjoying a bottle at your own pace back in the suite. Select rooms also include spa baths, inviting you to unwind after a day spent exploring Orange’s renowned wine region.

A complimentary continental breakfast is included, allowing for a relaxed and seamless start to your morning before heading out to discover more of the region. For guests travelling by electric vehicle, on-site EV charging is available with four 22kW fast chargers, offered complimentary for added convenience.