Orange, NSW is one of those country towns that’s really got layers. In fact, it should’ve probably been called Onion. But if you don’t have time to explore all the layers (or should that be ‘segments’?) of Orange, here’s our 48-hour guide to Orange to get the juices flowing.

48 hours is never enough time to get to know a destination. It’s barely enough time to collect your luggage from the plane.

However, if that’s all you’ve only got, then those 2 days can create a snapshot for future reference and to get a pretty good sample of what life’s like there.

We’ve been to Orange a few times now, and each visit we’ve discovered something new about it. A new winery, a new bar or restaurant, a new park or café; Orange really does have so much to offer.

Where to stay in Orange

Until recently the choices of where to stay in Orange have been a bit limited. However, with the advent of AirBnB, choices here are broader. Make sure you check what’s available on AirBnB before anything else.

However, if you’re after a more hotel-like experience, here’s what we know:

Central Caleula Lodge 

This place has recently been renovated and the results are good. Rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable, service is good and there’s even a little bar/restaurant if you want to have breakfast here.

Plus the all-important free wifi!

de Russie Suites

The de Russie has long been Orange’s premium choice of accommodation with bragging rights of being the only boutique self-contained apartment hotel in Orange.

We haven’t stayed here yet but we’re assured it’s of a high standard, with 25 Tuscan style suites.

Pubs

There are also lots of pubs in Orange. Lots of them. And many of them offer good options with a reasonable price point for a place to lay your head too.

Our whirlwind guide to 48 hours in Orange, NSW

Day 1

• Arrive in Orange and settle in.

• Dinner and drinks at Percy’s Bar and Kitchen

Day 2

• Breakfast at the amazing Agrestic Grocer and grab some lunch stuff for a picnic lunch at Printhie Wines.

Orange winery tour

• 1st winery: Bloodwood.

From the Agrestic Grocer, continue on the Mitchell Highway (A32) about 3kms and turn left on Griffin Rd. Bloodwood’s driveway is on your left.

• 2nd winery and lunch: Printhie

Back on the Mitchell Highway, drive for about 25kms towards Molong.

Turn left on Yuranigh Rd. Printhie will be on your left about 5kms down the road.

While you’re trying the award-winning sparkling they make here or their excellent MCC Shiraz, you can sit on the picnic tables and enjoy the lunch you’ve brought with you from the Agrestic Grocer.

• 3rd winery: Philip Shaw

The longest part of your drive, settle in for a 45 minute journey through the Orange countryside.

Continue along Yuanigh Road, which become the Rutherford Road.

Turn left on Peabody Road, then left again to The Escort Way back towards Orange.

Once you’re back in town, head right down Woodward Road, left on Lysterfield Road and Philip Shaw will be on your left.

• Bonus winery: If you’re still keen to drive a bit further, definitely keep heading out of town and go down Pinnacle Road to Colmar Estate – one of the highest vineyards in the region.

• Last winery: Patina

One of the prettiest cellar doors we’ve ever seen, Patina is also the home of winemaker and absolute gent, Gerald Naef.

20 minutes from Colmar and only 15 from Philip Shaw, Patina is a good one to finish on. and it’s only down the road from Orange town centre too.

• Head back into town for a snack or a snooze.

• If you want to explore the wines of Orange a little more, go to Ferment. This is a wine shop in town that acts as a cellar door to all those little wineries who don’t have one.

You can buy wine by the bottle or the glass, and the tastings are fun to do too.

Dinner:

• The Union Bank

This place is always a good idea – and a must for a visit to Orange. It can be a bit busy though, so it’s a good idea to book.

Day 3

• Breakfast at Good Eddie Cafe

• Explore town on foot

• Snack or brunch at Racine Bakery

• Leave for home.

For an unusual but highly recommended alternative to Racine, try and get a spot at the Old Convent for Sunday brunch.

Of course this is only a suggested itinerary for Orange – and there are many more things you can do here… but it’s what we’ll be doing the next time we’re here!

What do you usually do if you go away for the weekend? Do you have any tips for visiting Orange we haven’t mentioned? Tell us in the comments!

Images by Mrs Romance using an Olympus OM-D E-M10 camera.