I’m going to tell you what I know. That is the tiny amount after two visits in six weeks, maybe it should be, here is then potential of Orange. Orange is a very cute town, about three and a half hours drive from Sydney.

Orange Food Week has just completed it first weekend. Food week is a great time to go but the joys of Orange are not limited to Food Week Activities. In fact, they may even be a diversion. We hung at at Reggae and Wine Party for a few hours, when we realised the vibe had plateaued it was an easy stroll to the Philip Shaw cellar door where we enjoyed the gardens, table service and an excellent local cheese platter with a bottle of  No 8 pinot noir.

Philip Shaw Cellar Door

Hotel Conobolas has pub rooms and a motel out the back. Clean, neat rooms with a retro vibe without even trying. It was great for one night. On the weekend we stayed at Magnolia Cottage. It’s very cute, clean and perfect if you need a kitchen or more than one bedroom. It was $750 for three nights. Both these spots are very close to the centre of town.

Great food separates Orange from most other rural centres. Cafes to visit are Bill’s Beans, the BLT is sensational and the Reuben on rye with cheddar and pickles is also a great option. Thin crisp bacon and salads make the blt extra juicy and is my fav breakfast option in town.

Byng St Cafe is another popular Orange breakfast spot. Like Bill’s Beans the coffee is good. My fav breakfast item here is the Pork Katsu burger, yes I was hung over when i smashed mine. Maybe it was the wine, which is easy to do in Orange. Wine is a major activity in Orange, multiple cellar doors are open. I like Philip Shaw as you can sit with a cheese plate and i’m not interested in trying ever single wine on offer. I know what I want, I try a few and then get a bottle of what I want. The gardens and space at Philip Shaw make it a great place to chill.

Katsu Burger

Hotel Conobolas is a well run pub with plenty of food options. I’ve only had the pizza here and it’s good. Other noteworthy food establishment are Charred Kitchen and Bar for Australian Food, Mr Lim for Korean. Our other dinner was at The Night Markets for Orange Food Week. I tried the Borrodell the house made sausage. This Pork and Venison bad boy had put the restaurant, Sister’s Rock, at Borrodell Estate is now at the top of my Orange hit list.

Borrodell Dog

Sunset at Mount Corodoblas is another activity i’ll being doing on my next visit to Orange. The Millthorpe Markets are also worth visiting. Apples, salami and cheese is what I got but there is also plenty local crafty stalls. Those markets are on twice a month. The local nightclub is great for fun and packs in everyone from miles around for the decades of top 40 play list.

It’s great to a see rural centre on the rise and you have so many great option when in Orange. Worth considering if you want a rural break. You can fly , check out Rex, but three and a half hour drive V’s going to the airport, parking, checking in flying etc, i’ll take my wheels any day. Plus i love to drive The Bells Line of Road.