It is our humble opinion that there is no better way to start the day than with a stroll around town. No matter the season, the scenery is always beautiful and always changing. There are plenty of tree lined parks in town such as Cook Park and Elephant Park or if you’re feeling adventurous head out of town to Pinnacle lookout or Federal Falls. Both walks are more strenuous however, arguably more rewarding with sweeping views of the regions’ vineyards and rolling hills.
Once your daily steps are taken care of (just kidding, we’re done with exercise for the weekend) it’s time to refuel with a good coffee. We are spoiled for choice in Orange when it comes to coffee… and wine, and produce and restaurants … but we digress. Our personal favourite coffee spots are Good Eddy, Crema and Bills Beans for their perfect roast and the wonderful people who work there.
We like to keep brekky on the light(er) side as there are SO many culinary delights to experience. A pastry from Racine Bakery would be our pick on the run or if you’re enjoying a slow start to the day (we hope you are) why not pick up a fresh loaf of their sourdough and take it home to enjoy with some jam from the Orange Farmers Market, held the second Saturday of every month.
For the rest of the day we can’t think of anything better to do than cruise around the gorgeous countryside, sipping on beautiful cool-climate wines. It can be overwhelming so do some research and pick the places that suit your tastes – there is something for everyone. A few of our favourites include Rowlee, Nashdale Lane, De Sallis and Orange Mountain Wine.
After checking out some wineries you’ll be ready for a light lunch which is when we’d head to us at Swinging Bridge for a picnic. It’s always a good idea to refuel after a day of wine tasting. Plus, we have some of the most beautiful views of Mt Canobolas in Orange. Find a spot among the vineyards and enjoy a bottle of wine with some delicious food as the late afternoon rolls in.
If you have a bit of time before dinner, why not swing home via The Agrestic Grocer to pick up some local second mouse cheese and enjoy with a bottle of sparkling or white wine from your newly acquired wine collection (trust us, you’ll have one).
Picking one spot to go to for dinner is HARD however, some favourites we can not go past are Charred Kitchen & Bar, Sweet Sour Salt & Mr Lim. Warning Mr Lim turns into Karaoke from 9pm on a weekend, and it’s fantastic. All of these venues have equally impressive unique menus and wine lists that feature a large range of local selections. Remember to book in advance.
It is at this point in the evening we as a team are split on the perfect ending to a day in Orange. So, for your benefit, we will share both options. One for the more youthful and one for the more refined (older).
Our winemaker Tom thinks by this point he’d be ready for a scoop, or two, or three, of gelato from Spilt Milk Bar before heading home to maybe one more glass or our William J Shiraz. Having tried and tested every flavour we can recommend them all with our favourites being Spilt Milk, Hazelnut and the humble Vanilla.
For the young, or young at heart Washington & Co whiskey bar mixes up a delicious cocktail – the Espresso Martini is a stand out. Located right in the centre of town you will most likely be able to walk home from here after a night cap, or jump in a cab right out the front.
There is so much to do in our bustling little town and giving suggestions of places to explore, indulge, and enjoy is a joy for us. We hope to see you in Orange very soon.
