Emily's Tips for Autumn

There are a couple of different places I like around town depending which direction I feel like walking or which friend I am meeting. Perching up on the verandah at Byng Street cafe has a great atmosphere and is great to take the laptop to during the week for a tree change or the best spot to bump into everyone you know in Orange on the weekends. Good Eddy’s is a favourite during the week as it has my favourite coffee and who can resist the smell of Trunkey Creek bacon cooking.

This one is easy! The Pinnacle lookout is my happy place. Your walk up the stairs is rewarded by a cracking view over Orange and surrounds. If I get there early enough you can enjoy the view and fresh air by yourself.

Click here for other walks and trails in & around Orange

Again, the choice here is insane and having lived here for only 3 years I have barely scratched the surface of the cellar doors. I am going to cheat here and say one of my favourite wine experiences is F.O.O.D Week’s Forage event in April where you can sample multiple wineries and food venues while frolicking through the vineyards of Orange. Otherwise I recently had a great experience out at Strawhouse winery trying their Semillon/Sauv called the Naked Pig. I’m not usually a Sauvignon Blanc drinker but this one opened my eyes.

F.O.O.D Week in April and wine month in October is hard to beat for the access to all the region has to offer. In particular, both events have Night Markets in Robinson Park which has such a lovely feel to it. There is also a great series called “Shine the light on the producers” which have local products like saffron, apples and bacon highlighted.

I’d imagine said friends would be arriving late Friday night after work so takeaway pizzas from Parrot and a nice bottle of wine from Lane Cellars in the backyard would be a good starting point.

Millthorpe has a beautiful main street to stroll down with many shops to look at and great places to eat. I also think Carcoar doesn’t get as much press as Millthorpe but has a great little cluster of shops there too.

This habit started last autumn but a homemade Gimlet cocktail (with strawberry and basil from the garden) hits the spot in autumn. As do days spent out at the lake with friends, either packing a good chicken sandwich or cooking a bbq out there.

Tough one because we have so many great options here. I would start with the more relaxed vibe of Birdie or the courtyard at Union Bank as they both have small but tasty menus with great atmosphere. Otherwise I would say the tasting menu at Sweet Sour Salt is a great way to not have to think and have someone feed you delicious Asian food.

It’s a bit more of a drive away but I visited Mayfield Gardens near Oberon last year and couldn’t believe such a place existed. It has a great cafe attached and the work that has gone into this garden is incredible.

MARG. Studio operates across country NSW and has a soft spot for older homes or creating the next “old homes”. I work by appointment only but I encourage you to follow along on social media or via my email list for any in person pop up events I do throughout the year to help you plan your renovation or build.