Easter in Orange

We realised that we would have a few days off work together, so we took a trip to Orange, a rural NSW town known for its agricultural produce, its farming and gold-mining history, and its cool-climate wines. We spent the long weekend exploring the region.

Him Outdoors in Orange

The home of future Donald Trumps?

Comparing apples with apples in Orange

The highest peak in the region is Mount Canobolas, 1,390m / 4,560ft above sea level. It is an extinct volcano providing fertile soil for grape-growing, and lots of tracks for walking, running and biking.

At the foot of the mountain, Lake Canobolas is a tranquil spot for boating, fishing, swimming or picnicking. it was constructed in 1918 to supply water to Orange, and the pumphouse, which transported the water from the reservoir to the town, has been restored to its original condition.

Lake Canobolas

Him Outdoors up Young Man Canobolas

Borrodell Vineyard

The winery dog at Ross Hill

Federation Arch by Bert Flugelman

Orange Botanic Gardens

We had breakfast at the Beekeepers Inn, where there are antiques, bee-keeping displays and plenty of honey products. The building is a former coaching inn from Cobb & Co. 

There is also a small brewery named 1859, after the year in which the coaching inn was built, and run by Central Ranges Brewing Co.  The pale ale and the summer ale are standard lines, and the honey saison is a rather special limited edition.

We also visited Bathurst, the oldest inland settlement in Australia. It still retains many buildings from its gold-mining days and has lots of heritage sites (although it is mainly  known for motor-racing).

Bathurst Court House

Kings Parade and the Carillon Memorial

Kings Parade

The Japanese Garden honours the links with Ohkuma, Bathurst's sister city.

We finished this day with a visit to Philip Shaw Wines. Not only is their wine excellent, but they have a beautiful location and a cellar/ restaurant in a gorgeous stone building. Also, even though it had been a tremendously busy weekend and the staff were all doubtless exhausted, they remained friendly, informative and attentive. I liked this place.

Philip Shaw Wines