Held beneath the autumnal glory of the Sampson Street plane trees on the first Saturday of F.O.O.D Week, the Sampson Street Long Lunch brings together some of Orange’s gastronomic icons for a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience. Combining the culinary skills of chefs including Michael Manners, Simonne Hawke, Tony Worland, Josie Chapman and Lesley Russell, with the region’s finest wines, this event is positively unmissable, so book early. Tickets are available at www.orangefoodweek.com.au. Plan your trip and discover a full spectrum of events and experience, all year round at www.orange360.com.au

Held on the second Saturday of every month from 8.30am—12pm, the Orange Farmer’s Market is a great place to familiarise yourself with local produce and producers. From creamed honey to local gin to fresh, organic fruits and vegetables to hot, golden brown bakery treats, there’s plenty of tasty gourmet food to enjoy, so make sure you bring a big bag.

Held from the 6th – 8th August, the fire festival is all about the experiences of an authentic country winter through a series of bonfire events inspired by the Australian cracker night bonfire tradition. Enjoy all your winter foodie faves: char grilled feasts, campfire cookouts and exquisite Orange wines under the region’s expansive starry night skies. Heaven! Tickets available at www.orangefoodweek.com.au. Plan your trip and discover a full spectrum of events and experience, all year round at www.orange360.com.au

Possibly the prettiest vineyard ever — set high on the storied slopes of the ancient volcano of Mt Canobolas — Borrodell Estate is well worth a visit. Sister’s Rock Restaurant is easily one of the region’s greatest restaurants, serving up a menu of fresh local produce which changes to showcase only the very best on offer. The winery’s annual Truffle Forage is incredibly popular and enjoyable, so if you can organise to do both, by all means, do!

Swinging Bridge’s picturesque cellar door is located just five minutes outside of Orange CBD, with beautiful landscape views of Mount Canobolas. Winemaker Tom Ward and his staff are friendly and knowledgeable, without a trace of pretension. It’s well-worth booking the platinum wine tasting, which is available fromTuesday to Friday only. The experience offers a selection of food items prepared by in-house chef Simon Kalis alongside ten wines personally selected by winemaker Tom Ward, and depending on the season, also showcases produce fresh from the Swinging Bridge vegetable garden.

Named for the Wiradjuri word (din-dee-mah) meaning ‘group of stars’, Dindima Winery is a cosy cellar door set along the beautiful Cargo Road in Nashdale, around ten minutes from the Orange city centre. There’s plenty of premium award winning cool climate wines on offer, including Semillon, Chardonnay and a Moscato made from Muscat grapes planted in the 1940s. Owners Lee and David Bell are incredibly generous with their time and insights, who clearly delight in sharing the fruits of their labour with guests.

This award winning winery is known for classics like Blanc de Blanc, Chardonnay, and Shiraz, as well lesser known varieties like Cabernet Franc. Helmed by the Robson Family, it has the honour of being Australia’s first NCOS Certified carbon neutral winery. This property is a must-visit for foodies: it’s home to a beautiful, custom-designed cooking school, known as Barrel and Larder, as well as a gorgeous special event space. On top of complimentary winery tours at 10.00am each day, the vineyard also hosts a gourmet three-course Lunch at The Pantry on Saturdays.

Country Food Trails’ carefully curated private food and wine tours offer visitors exclusive access to some of Orange’s hidden delights. Founder, Nicole Farrell, is an experienced international tour guide and an Orange local, so she knows exactly where to find the very best experiences. From fruit picking to flower festivals (And if a sudden cold snap descends in the middle of your city walking tour, she’ll do whatever she can to keep you warm… including loaning out her own jacket and several picnic blankets. Trust me on this one, I speak from personal experience.)

One of Orange’s newest and fastest-growing establishments, The Union Bank comprises both The Schoolhouse Restaurant and Arthouse Bar & Courtyard. Situated in a gorgeous heritage bank Building on Byng Street the heart of the Orange CBD, The Schoolhouse Restaurant serves up exquisite modern Australian cuisine with a spotlight on seasonal, local produce. Choose from two or three courses, the owners have made it super easy for visitors, offering a suggested local vino pairing for each dish.

If you think Orange is all foodie all the time, then prepare to be pleasantly surprised, because Orange has an incredibly stylish side. The Sonic is a funky boho-esque gallery, fashion store and cafe, carrying Aussie brands like PE Nation, and chic, colourful homewares. There’s even a prominently displayed retail trail map which points all fashion-loving visitors in the right direction for more stylish finds.

With an exterior swathed in ancient rosebushes and a sunlit verandah, Hawkes is a haven for aesthetic fashion, quality jewellery, fragrances, notebook and hand-made homewares… all of the good things in life, basically. I challenge you to leave empty handed. Literally could have spent all day in here.

Imagine the most beautiful home you’ve ever visited, then turn it into a lifestyle, fashion and homewares store. Aesthetically speaking, The White Place is best described as “Bali with a side of Byron, but make it Orange.” Every single room overflows with exquisite, beautifully curated pieces and I guarantee you’ll want to take at least half of them home. Bonus? You can stay there. 26 byng and 26 casey st are The White Place’s self-contained, fully furnished extensions, where you can stay while you’re there.

You’ll be vying for a seat with young professionals, freelancers and Sydneysiders on vacay, but it’s well worth it for the best coffee in the Orange CBD, and a bacon and egg roll that I can only describe as “life-changing”. The interiors have a light, airy, almost Northern Beaches-esque vibe: white-washed brick walls, rustic unpolished wood floors, wicker hanging lanterns and pineapples as decor.

Brother restaurant to Sydney’s Mr Lim, this local favourite serves up authentic Korean, Chinese and Korean BBQ with a focus on the best, seasonal local produce. Although their famed karaoke nights were cancelled during the pandemic, they’re said to be epic and well-worth asking after when planning your visit.

Created with the aim of educating visitors on the powers of Indigenous plants like Chilli Myrtle, Indigenous Cultural Adventures shares the culture and heritage of First Nations People through the experience of food. My experience was absolutely mind-blowing, and I can’t recommend Indigenous Cultural Adventures highly enough. All cultural tours are hosted and guided by local Wiradjuri Elders, who are incredibly generous with their insights and time. An absolute must-do.