About Orange
The Orange Region
The city of Orange has a population of 38,000, and is only 3 ½ hours from Sydney (3h. from Penrith) and 3 hours from Canberra. There are also 4 daily return flights between Orange and Sydney. The region is well serviced by the established cities of Orange and Blayney and the surrounding historic villages of Millthorpe, Carcoar, Molong, and Lucknow. These centres offer a full range of accommodation and dining establishments. Orange restaurateur Michael Manners of Selkirks has won the Sydney Morning Herald 2005 Award for Professional Excellence and has been awarded 2 Hats, whilst Lolli Redini in Orange and Tonic in Millthorpe have been awarded 1 Hat.
Orange also has an active Conservatorium of Music, a City Theatre which hosts major touring performances and a Regional Art Gallery. There are three golf clubs, one of which is regarded as the best in country NSW and a wide range of specialty shops and services. The fresh food retailed in Orange is high quality, local and good value, at the Farmers' Market, local butchers and fruit and vegetable shops.
The origin of Orange is gold. The first paying gold in Australia was discovered at Ophir in 1851 just 18km northeast of Orange. The villages of Millthorpe, Carcoar, Lucknow and Byng are a wonderful trip back in time with splendid historic buildings.
The Orange Region Vignerons Association (ORVA) holds the Orange Winefest in October each year and our sister group F.O.O.D (Food Of the Orange District) hold Food Week every April. These events are growing as the industry matures and expands with the excitement and recognition of these two attractions.
