The Ultimate Guide To A Weekend In Orange: Where to Eat, Drink & Stay
Escape Sydney for a weekend of rolling vineyards, top-tier dining and some of the best cool-climate wines in the country.
Family run vineyards surrounded by rolling green hills, backdropped by an ancient volcano. No, this isn’t Italy. It’s actually Orange, right here in New South Wales.
The rich, volcanic soil of the very dormant Mount Canobolas has made Orange a fantastic grape-growing region; one that sparkles each October during the Orange Wine Festival.
More than 40 wine-fuelled events take place during the event showcasing some of the best cool-climate wines in the Central Tablelands town. But it’s a great place to visit anytime from spring to autumn, when the cellar doors are pouring wines out on the lawns in the warm sun.
We spent the weekend frolicking through the vines, tasting our way through a half-dozen wineries in the region, plus got a taste of up-and-comer Lidster which doesn’t even have a cellar door yet. Depending on your wine preferences, there’s a good selection of wineries within walking distance of each other, allowing you to take in the stunning landscapes between tastings.
Whether you’re joining a wine tour or having a DIY adventure, here’s our drop of the best spots to visit during a weekend in Orange.
When is Orange Wine Festival?
There aren’t set dates for Orange Wine Festival, but it always starts in mid-October each year, ending either toward the end of the month or in early November. Depending on the year, it includes either two or three weekends. The 2026 event runs from 16th October to 26th October.
More than 30 years after Terri and Peter Robson planted their first vines in 1994, Ross Hill is now a stop on the Wallace Lane and Australia’s first Climate Active certified winery. Book a tasting at the cellar door, then check the Barrel and Larder cooking class schedule.
With five red stars from Halliday, Bill and Jane Shrapnel’s family owned vineyard sits at an optimal 980 metres on Pinnacle Road. Expect single vineyard pinot noir, chardonnay and sparkling made from hand picked fruit, best met at a booked tasting.
A former fruit orchard from the 1930s, Brangayne has been growing crafting winea since 1994. The rustic cellar door looks out over the valley, and you’re welcome to picnic in the vineyard. We can highly recommend a walk through the colourful rhododendrons while you sample their goods.
One of Orange’s pioneering vineyards, Canobolas was planted by the Smith family in 1985 on the northern slopes of Mt Canobolas. Now farmed by the Mattick family using regenerative principles, it’s best known for its chardonnay and cabernets. Book your visit ahead.
Justin Byrne and Meg Simpson run this small, sustainable winery on Boree Lane, where the tasting room sits overlooking the vineyard and classic Orange landscapes. They produce small amounts of wine under the Strawhouse label, and offer a boutique apartment on the property means you can stay the night.
A family run winery on Boree Lane where tastings come without jargon or pressure. Grüner veltliner is a feature of the range, and the experiences include live music, sparkling high tea, vineyard walks and bonfires. Book ahead.
Creating a true destination of The Oriana, the Peacock Room completes a day at the boutique motel with a hearty, continually evolving dining experience. The current chef is Italian, so expect plenty of Mediterranean flavours on the menu like seafood antipasto, gnocci and risotto.
Housed in a beautifully restored historic building, The Schoolhouse Restaurant at The Union Bank is a favourite among locals. The menu is a minefield of temptation, starters causing a minor dilemma: Chicken Liver Pâté with wine jelly and rhubarb, or Mozzarella with smoked tomato and Tilda Chianina steak.
Provided a comforting conclusion to the weekend. The atmosphere, reminiscent of a traditional Italian family gathering; warm and inviting. The beef carpaccio, thinly sliced and expertly seasoned, was a standout. The pasta special, black squid ink tagliarini, with cherry ripe tomatoes and fresh mussels was decadently dressed in olive oil, topped with parsley and chilli.…
Under the guidance of Paula, a fourth-generation farmer, visitors wander through rows of apple and peach trees, sampling sun-ripened fruit straight from the branch. Pick your own fruit or sample goodies in the cafe.