The Oriana, Orange

With an ideal altitude and terroir for grape growing, Orange’s cool climate—unique to Australia—produces some of the best drops in the country, with 80 vineyards and over 30 cellar doors. Known in particular for Chardonnay and Shiraz, Orange also harvests an array of fresh-farmed fruit and veg that provides for the bustling café and restaurant culture.

Find out more about The Oriana Orange with our Hotel Insider.

First time visiting Orange? We’ve got you covered with our local guide on 48 hours in Orange.

What You’ll Love…

The Location – A bustling country town four hours from Sydney - or five hours from Newcastle - and ideal for a food-lover’s escape

As you drive along the cliff-hugging roads of Blue Mountains National Park, with short, sharp turns and seemingly-endless forestry beyond, the air becomes lighter and the buzz of the city is left behind. You pass Lithgow, drive through historical Bathurst and end up 261 kilometres west of Sydney and 863 metres above sea level.

Welcome to Orange – home to award-winning drops, tantalising hatted restaurants, the famed Orange Wine Festival and Orange F.O.O.D Week, Australia’s longest running regional food festival. A region bursting with colourful produce and embracing an ethos of sustainable practices, Orange is where you want to go if you’re a lover of organic, fresh produce and some of the most delicious wines in the country.

The Hotel – A charming and recently-refurbished stay in the heart of Orange

Off the main Woodward St, you’ll find The Oriana Orange – a quaint property that conjures the ambience of an old-world motel you might find on the side of the road in regional Texas. Recently taken over by hospitality-pro Espen Harbitz—who grew up in the mountains of Norway and worked at high-end venues across the world—the chic and eclectic feel of the property is a testament to Espen’s involvement in the upscale European and Asian hospitality industry.

Spend your days lounging by the outdoor pool; replete with pool towels, pool chairs and a pool bar that is the ultimate addition on a warm day for soaking up the rays. Come evening, head to the ultra-stylish Bela Vista Bar—with its eye-catching blue and green velvet seating and a Parisian-inspired back room draped in Espen’s personal European art collection—and enjoy your included welcome cocktail. With a selection of any cocktail off the menu, begin the night with a choice of a classic cocktail, martini, champagne cocktail, summer cocktail or spritzer!

The Room – Think: eclectic furniture and bold colours in an intimate setting

The newly-renovated Deluxe Queen Room will have you unwinding in a plush queen bed fitted with luxurious sheets and enjoying a Smart TV that allows you to connect to your Netflix account, a comfortable lounge area and a new ensuite bathroom with complimentary bathroom amenities. Enjoy fresh flowers, complimentary bottled water and fruit along with tea and coffee making facilities, Wi-Fi, cutlery and wine glasses and a small fridge.

King Upgrade: Want more space? Upgrade to a larger Deluxe King Suite showcasing designer furniture, a larger 50” smart TV, work desk and luxe Acqua di Parma toiletries.

The Food – Daily buffet breakfast and an antipasto platter

Wake up each morning and head to the Travellers Lounge for a buffet breakfast that serves up hot favourites like scrambled eggs, sausages, roast mushrooms, sautéed spinach and more alongside continental staples like muesli, Greek yoghurt, fresh fruit and an array of breads and spreads.

Included in your stay is a decadent antipasto platter to share, showcasing the very best produce of this local region. Enjoy a selection of charcuterie and seasonal homemade pates, accompanied by house-made chutneys, mustards and condiments.

If you’d prefer to eat at the hotel, enjoy an evening meal at the soon-to-open Peacock Room, which will sit alongside Bela Vista Bar and is inspired by decadent French fare. Tickle your tastebuds with a variety of dishes like a velvety bisque of blue swimmer crab & prawn or seasonal pasta filled with woodland mushrooms, tuscan kale and silky goats curd. Mouthwatering desserts include chocolate fondant with creamed chestnut, honey’ed ganache and crisp meringue; and a rhubarb and orchard pear crumble with warm vanilla anglaise.

See & Do – Discover an up-and-coming food and wine mecca

For a unique experience, enjoy a private wine tasting at family-run De Salis Winery – the highest vineyard in Orange, located at an altitude of 1,050 metres. Dubbed by Gourmet Traveller as one of the top five wine experiences in the world, this boutique cellar door experience is only enhanced by the striking view across the rolling vineyard and the company of Knox, the family staffy.

Leading the way in culinary tourism and running from 5 – 14 April, Orange F.O.O.D Week returns for its 28th consecutive year. Acclaimed as one of Australia’s top ten food festivals, the extensive festival program showcases experiences like rummaging through massive night markets, feasting on locally-sourced dinners and indulging in chocolate-making masterclasses. See the full program here.

But first, coffee: A favourite on the bustling café scene is Byng Street Local Store, frequented by locals on their morning commute craving a creamy cappuccino and a daily-baked healthy snack. Opening at 7am, seven days a week, this café’s always-busy ambience is evidence of their great brew and country-style friendly service.

Perfect for couples

Escape the city and indulge in three nights of delicious food, incredible wine and country hospitality.