Foodie finds: culinary delights of Orange

Yay – we can all leave our homes again! While we can’t yet jump on a plane to visit another country, now is the perfect time to take a weekend road trip to explore the best of what Australia has to offer. For New South Welshers looking for a tasty getaway, why not plan a trip to Orange, in country NSW?

With a well-deserved reputation for producing excellent food and wine, stunning landscapes and a fascinating history, Orange is the ideal destination for a country getaway. Located 3.5 hours’ drive or a short flight from Sydney, you can visit for a foodie weekend or a longer stay. Visitors will find incredible regional produce – from apples, pears and exotic fruits to cheeses and meats.

On your first day, kick things off with coffee and some baked goods at local gem, Bills Beans in East Orange. You can get your caffeine fix and even pick up some quality beans to take home with you. Then it’s time to explore one of Orange’s many wine trails before enjoying a leisurely dinner at one of the city’s fine-dining restaurants.

You could go for Charred, which uses the best quality local produce, partnered with their newly commissioned “Lucifer” wood and charcoal oven to impart a unique flavour. Or you can enjoy a meal at the hatted Lolli Redini, located in a cosy heritage federation cottage and headed by one of Australia’s most acclaimed chefs, Simonn Hawke.

Orange offers many boutique accommodation options to retire for the evening, letting you choose from charming cottages at Mayfield Vineyard, glamping at Nashdale Lane Wines or spending the night in a converted shearing shed at Black Sheep Inn. Hotel accommodation is also available at Quest, Oriana or the newly opened Byng Street Boutique Hotel.

Start day two of your country escape with a delicious breakfast at Byng Street Local Store or Good Eddy, and then enjoy some boutique shopping in Orange’s eclectic stores.

Spend the afternoon exploring Orange’s surrounding historic towns and villages. Stroll the quaint, heritage-listed streets of Millthorpe or Carcoar, full of beautifully preserved 19th Century buildings, followed by a delicious, seasonally-focused lunch at Tonic or The Old Mill in Millthorpe. Or, for something a little more casual, visit the Agrestic Grocer back in Orange – a unique shopping and dining experience, which also offers live music on the weekends.

Finally, before returning home, make sure to stop in the beautiful Nangar National Park for bushwalking or spotting some of the local wildlife, including kangaroos, wallabies, peregrine falcons and wedge-tailed eagles.

Want to know more or plan your trip? Head to orange360.com.au