A restorative winter getaway needn’t necessitate a passport and a plane ticket. As a geographically diverse continent, Australia is home to endless pockets of nature to explore; many within driving distance from major capital cities. Many of the country’s most spectacular sights are best seen on four wheels, with road trips great and small inextricably tied to Australian culture. Rather than viewing transportation as a means to an end and waiting until you arrive at your destination for your getaway to begin, road trips speak to the art of the journey — allowing the getaway to begin the moment you start the engine.
Located in the Central Tablelands region of New South Wales, less than a four hour drive from Sydney, Orange has fast become a haven for oenophiles and epicureans alike, with a flourishing wine scene bolstered by a burgeoning crop of fine dining outposts. However, the success of the former is made possible by the region’s wealth of natural resources; its cool climate, high altitude, rich volcanic soils (courtesy of the now-extinct volcano, Gaanha bula or Mount Canobolas), and undulating landscape setting the tone for thriving vineyards. As with pretty much every wine region, it’s also an aesthetically beautiful place.
While the rugged origins of the road trip appeal to me, my own adventures tend to unite a sense of escape with luxury, with Orange proposing the ideal combination of nature and gastronomic delights for a restorative long weekend—or, who are we kidding: mid-week—away.
Keen to get on the road? Here’s how to take the perfect road trip to Orange, NSW.
The car
Now, the other great thing about road trips? One’s choice of vehicle can elevate it from humble to luxurious in one fell swoop. With its heated seats, whisper-quiet engine, and compact yet spacious design, the Lexus UX 300e proved the ideal steed for braving the single-digit temperatures of Orange. Keeping performance front of mind while being fully electric, it has a range of 440 kilometres on a single charge; more than up to the task of driving the 255 kilometres from Sydney to Orange without needing to stop to charge.
Since its inception in the market almost four decades ago, Lexus has been known for an understated take on luxury — yes, well before ‘quiet luxury’ was a thing. Rather than assert their dominance through flashy design or impressive—yet largely unusable on a day-to-day basis—specs, the Japanese marque strives to make the quotidian easier by taking care of the little details. Electric vehicles are already known for their ultra-quiet engines, with the Lexus UX 300e further optimising the underbody of the vehicle to reduce wind noise and improve aerodynamics while making for a completely noiseless, soothing cabin experience. That said, for those who miss the broom broom vibes of an ICE, the car’s Active Sound Control feature provides aural feedback by simulating the sound of acceleration.
The car’s ‘climate concierge’ was undoubtedly our favourite feature onboard, with the car taking into account the outside temperature as well as our desired cabin temperature, cabin humidity, and direct sunlight to create a comfortable environment. And, with battery preservation front of mind when driving an EV, the system also recognises which seats are occupied and reserves temperature control for these seats, thereby conserving energy.
While the infotainment system is serviceable if a little rudimentary on its own, it can be infinitely improved by wirelessly connecting to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which bestows the dashboard touchscreen with the same interface as that of your smartphone. The best part is the upgrade to Google Maps, which makes the road trip experience far smoother than using the somewhat clunky inbuilt sat nav system. Directions appear on the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side (in addition to on the 12.3-inch screen), meaning you can keep your eyes on the road while doing away with—solicited or unsolicited—passenger navigation.
The only drawback to the Lexus UX 300e is its use of the CHAdeMO charging plug. While this is standard in Japan, down under the Lexus UX 300e is only one of three EVs to use the plug type (alongside the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV), with the rest using CCS (aside from Tesla which has its own thing going on). As such, CHAdeMO chargers are few and far between and we found them a lot slower than CCS chargers (after 105 minutes of charging, the Lexus UX 300e had only charged from 30% to 67%). While there was one in Orange, if we wanted to charge along the way we’d have had to use the Type 2 charger which is fine for top ups or overnight charges but takes over ten hours for a full charge, so it’s not the most efficient solution.
The drive
The drive from Sydney to Orange takes 3.5 hours along the Great Western Highway. While you can easily complete the distance in one go (and on one charge), you’d be missing out on the heritage towns, stunning scenery, and gastronomic delights along the way — remember what we said about the journey being part of the getaway?
Escaping the death grip of Sydney traffic is the hard part, so start off early. Once you’ve accomplished that, it’s an easy drive along the eucalyptus tree-lined Great Western Highway and before you know it, you’ll have reached Katoomba. While now isn’t the time for a lengthy hike, the Three Sisters Walk is more than doable; starting off from the Echo Point Lookout, it follows an accessible path to two more lookouts and is just over a kilometre round trip. Alternatively, if you’ve got a touch more time to spare, take the 1.2-kilometre Round Walking Track which will give you views of the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls, and Witches Leap Waterfall.
You’ll find the best coffee in town at Cassiopeia, with the espresso bar serving its own seasonal blend alongside single origin coffees. It’s light on food offerings so head down the road to Black Cockatoo Bakery to nab a pastry before hitting the road again.
If you’re down for another stopover, the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery is home to over 3000 works by Australian artists such as James Gleeson, Grace Cossington Smith, Mandy Martin, and Lloyd Rees, with the gallery also regularly hosting ephemeral exhibitions.
The drive gets increasingly more scenic as you swap Great Western Highway to Mitchell Highway, with Orange well and truly living up to its name with autumnal foliage at every turn.
Where to stay
Matching Orange’s flair for wine and gastronomy are a curated selection of warm yet luxurious boutique accommodations.
Basalt Orange
Located in Canobolas, just over a ten minute drive from the township of Orange, Basalt represents the ultimate back-to-nature getaway. Designed with a reverence for the landscape beyond, each of the three architecturally designed studios—there’s ‘Drifter’, ‘Chaser’, and ‘Yonder’—at Basalt offer unobstructed views of the Central Tablelands region. Sitting on a 30-hectare cherry orchard, each of the self-contained studios is defined by a use of rammed earth and accented by steel and spotted gum, with the nature-led material palette allowing them to blend into the hillside. Equipped with a kitchenette for preparing simple meals, a deep-soaking tub looking out over the orchard, a telescope to view the stars at nighttime, and laden with thoughtful touches (think wine and chocolate on arrival, as well as a continental breakfast for the next morning), Basalt makes for a luxurious way to reconnect with nature.
We spent two nights at Basalt in Orange; read the full review here.
Price: from $550AUD/night, with a minimum stay of two nights
Address: 1100 Pinnacle Rd, Canobolas, NSW, Australia
Byng Street Boutique Hotel
A design-led stay in the heart of Orange, Byng Street Boutique Hotel reconciles history with modernity. Art is a highlight here, with works by the likes of Natalie Miller and Lara Scolari on display in public spaces. Comprising a three-room historical homestead and a 19-room modern wing, each of the rooms and suites boast idiosyncratic design details; the heritage rooms are warm and colourful, while the well-appointed suites and rooms in the modern wing see contemporary architecture complemented by splashes of colour and vibrant artwork. A two-course breakfast made with fresh local produce is served in the Yallungah Dining Room in the heritage wing every morning, while the guest lounge in the modern wing offers a space to relax and socialise.
Address: 62 Byng St, Orange, NSW, Australia
Price: from $360AUD/night
Explore and book Byng Street Boutique Hotel here.
Borrodell Estate
Set on the slopes of Gaanha bula, the now-extinct volcano, Borrodell Estate is one of the region’s most elevated vineyards and is also home to fruit orchards, a trufferie, and restaurant. There are self-contained open-plan suites and three-bedroom cottages on offer, each of which boasts countryside views and promises a restful stay.
Address: 298 Lake Canobolas Rd, Orange, NSW, Australia
Price: from $395AUD/night
Explore and book Borrodell Estate here.
Where to dine in Orange
Printhie Wine Bar
A veritable institution in the Orange wine scene, Printhie Wines makes use of its bucolic surroundings with several premium experiences on offer to guests. While Printhie Dining—with its four-course degustation helmed by chef Justin North utilising local produce and native Australian ingredients—has garnered rightful acclaim, the cellar door’s Wine Bar is our favourite way to kick off a getaway. Sitting 1000 metres above sea level, the Printhie Wine Bar (and adjoining restaurant) makes the most of the picturesque undulating hills beyond. The ultra-modern new build sees exposed polished concrete walls complemented by moody yet cosy interiors — think dark finishes, plush leather furniture, artistic ceiling pendants, and a dramatic fireplace that serves to anchor (and warm) the space.
The Printhie Wine Bar offers wine by the bottle or glass, as well as lighter fare like cheese and charcuterie boards, bread and soup, and oysters. The latter are a must-try, coming from Printhie’s innovative oyster tank and freshly shucked on demand, they’re served with a vinaigrette that uses banksia nectar from the flowers grown on one of Printhie’s sister vineyards. Hot tip: a round of oysters pairs perfectly with the Swift Sparkling wines on offer; we had the immaculate Swift 2015 Sparkling Vintage, however let the knowledgeable wait staff guide you.
Address: 208 Nancarrow Ln, Nashdale NSW 2800
Racine Bakery
Out of almond croissants? Sad. Pistachio cream croissants instead? Rad. Beloved by locals and sought out by visitors, Racine Bakery is a staple on epicurean guides to Orange — and for good reason. Nailing French pastry techniques and putting their own singular spin on them, it’s a haven for those with an insatiable sweet tooth. Grab a pastry and a coffee to go and take one of their sourdoughs home for later.
Address: 142 Summer St, Orange NSW, Australia
Rowlee Dining & Bar
A recent addition to Orange’s gastronomy scene, Rowlee Dining & Bar represents an expansion to the winery’s award-winning cellar door. While the bar and lounge offer a vibey space to trial the wines, the dining room is our pick for those who want to enjoy Orange’s lush landscapes. An informal space overlooking the vineyard, the dining room heroes garden-grown and sustainably sourced produce with a seasonal à la carte menu designed to be shared.
Address: 19 Lake Canobolas Road, Nashdale, NSW, Australia
Academy Coffee Roasters
Single origin coffees are delivered without pretension by the friendly staff at Academy Coffee Roasters. With a bean-first philosophy, Academy Coffee Roasters knows that good coffee starts well before it enters the machine. The baristas are quick to recommend the perfect bean for every coffee style — the long black I had here was the best I’ve had in several years.
Address: 145 Woodward St, Orange NSW, Australia
What to see and do in Orange
With over 40 wineries in the region, even the most dedicated oenophiles are unlikely to be able to drink their way through Orange in one trip (and if you are, kudos to you and my condolences to your liver). Still, it’s worth a shot. Everyone will have their own favourites, but our sip list is as follows. Printhie, for the Swift sparkling; Philip Shaw Wines for elegant, fruit-forward drops; Swinging Bridge for the pinot noir that reflects the region’s terroir; and Rowlee for the inspiration it draws from Croatia’s Dalmatian wine country.
Walk off the wine with a trip to the summit of Gaanha bula (Mount Canobolas), the extinct volcano that serves as a backdrop for Orange. Gaanha bula holds particular significance for the traditional Wiradjuri people, who use it as a men’s initiation site and a place used for corroboree and ceremonies (burbung). To the Wiradjuri people, the volcano is a place of spiritual connection through worship of Baiame (the Creator God and Sky Father). As the highest peak between the Blue Mountains and the Indian Ocean, it boasts 360-degree views of the Central Tablelands region.
Back in the main township, the Orange Regional Gallery is home to an eclectic curation of art. A comprehensive permanent collection of Australian art from the 1920s to today is supported by a thriving exhibition program. The gallery has a partnership with the National Art School that offers recent graduates their first solo exhibition in a public institution, meaning there’s always interesting new artists to discover. Our visit coincided with Sophia Lee Georgas’ Exalt, a colourful and evocative exhibition exploring the spatial and ephemeral qualities of religious architecture, as well as the representations of utopia in art and religion.
What to pack
Orange is a good few degrees cooler than Sydney, so it’s important to pack appropriately. In winter, that means lots of layers, sweaters, a good coat, and a sturdy pair of boots.
As a former chronic overpacker, I’ve slowly but surely honed in my technique and streamlined my essentials to a single carry-on suitcase (the July Carry On Light, to be specific). For this trip, I took two pairs of jeans, two sweaters (one crew neck and one half-zip), two skivvies, Uniqlo’s HeatTech leggings and top, a scarf and beanie, an oversized men’s coat, and a hardworking bag to tote all my essentials in.
Uniqlo’s HeatTech range came in clutch here; while the weather during our stay was relatively sunny, mornings were rather frosty. A HeatTech fleece top worn under the brand’s Souffle Yarn Half-Zip Sweater successfully kept the chill out.
Fine dining restaurants in Orange are pretty casual (no heels in sight!), with pretty much every guest dressed in the standard jeans, sweater, and boots combination — though in deference to the establishment, puffer jackets were happily swapped out with coats.
The playlist
Everyone who’s ever driven more than two hours out of the city knows not to rely on the radio for tunes — you end up continually having to mess with the dial pretty much as soon as you hit the highway and end up hearing more static than songs. Fortunately, linking your phone to the Lexus UX 300e infotainment system keeps the tunes playing.
Ever since Shaboozey’s A Bar Song (Tipsy) hit the mainstream, I’ve been on a country kick. I’m not the type to demand the aux cord to play DJ (and often rather self-conscious about my music choices), so I tend to let the powers that be at Spotify do the work for me…data never lies and all that. This road trip saw me cycling between Spotify’s Country Top 50 (it’s good! I promise!) and Classic Road Trip Songs playlists. Yee-haw.
Words by T. Angel
