7 Things To Do In Orange NSW In Summer

Welcome to Orange, where summer is not just a season; it's a vibrant symphony of colors and activities! Dive into the heart of New South Wales and discover the seven must-do experiences that will make your summer unforgettable. Here are our top 7 things to do in Orange NSW this summer:

1. Get your hands on some local cherries 🍒

No surprises here as summer on our property equals cherry harvest as it does on many others around the region. There's no better way to enjoy some fresh, juicy cherries than picking your own at any number of orchards including Hillside Harvest or Nashdale Orchards. If you'd prefer someone else pick them for you, then head to the Orange Farmers Markets (second Saturday every month) and grab a box. Basalt guests get the best of both worlds - handpicked cherries straight from the tree delivered to their studio fridge 😍

Handful of Cherries

2. Hiking Adventures on Gaanha Bula - Mount Canobolas

Lace up your hiking boots and conquer the trails of Mount Canobolas. Summer unveils breathtaking panoramic views from the summit, rewarding hikers with a refreshing breeze and a sense of accomplishment. It's the perfect way to stay active while embracing nature's beauty. A couple of our faves are the Spring Glade Track and the Federal Falls Trail.

Mount Canobolas Orange
Photo credit: NSW National Parks

3. Hot Air Ballooning

A short drive south west of Orange will find you in Canowindra - arguably the hot air ballooning capital of Australia. What a way to start the day - watching the sun rise while witnessing the landscape bathed in golden hues, creating a magical and serene moment that will stay long after touch down. Afterwards take a stroll down the historic main street and grab a late breakfast from one of the cafes. Click here to make an enquiry.

Hot Air Ballooning in Canowindra

4. Paddle Boarding on Lake Canobolas

While our climate is somewhat mild most of the year, summer often dishes up some hot days where getting wet is a must. Lake Canobolas is the place to do it and with paddle boards now available for hire every weekend in January (plus public holidays) from 10am to 5pm, your rendezvous with the water couldn't get much easier or more fun!

Paddle Boarding at Lake Canobolas

5. Culinary Adventures in Orange's Restaurants

Orange's culinary scene comes alive in the summer, offering an array of dining options to satisfy every palate. From alfresco cafes to fine dining restaurants, savor the seasonal flavors crafted by passionate chefs, making each meal a delightful celebration of summer. Check out our Places to Eat in Orange NSW in Summer blog.

Birdie Orange

Photo credit:Birdie Noshery

6. Cultural Delights at Orange's Galleries

Escape the summer heat and immerse yourself in the cool world of art at Orange Regional Gallery. Explore contemporary exhibits, showcasing the talents of local and international artists. It's a cultural oasis where creativity flourishes, providing a unique summer escape. Other unique galleries to visit are the Corner Store Gallery and the Peisley Street Gallery

7. Wine Tasting Trails

It simply wouldn't be a trip to Orange without visiting a cellar door or 3! Each sip is a journey into the region's rich terroir, making wine tasting an absolute must for any summer escape. Home to more than 80 high altitude vineyards and 30 plus cellar doors, discover a lacework of wine and drink trails leading to an impressive range of boutique and family-owned wineries, breweries and cider houses, each with their own unique charms.

Wine Tasting at Printhie Wines

In Orange, summer is not just a season; it's an invitation to savor life's simple pleasures amid the beauty of nature, art, and culinary delights. Embrace the warmth, indulge in vibrant experiences, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Your summer adventure in Orange awaits!

Racine Grazing Box

Racine Orange

Award winning chef Shaun Arantz and his wife Willa created something special in Orange when they opened their modest little bakery within a sourdough’s throw of Woolworths in the heart of Orange. After closing their hatted restaurant of the same name, they poured their heart & soul into baking goods that made people feel good. It didn’t take long before Racine Bakery became THE ONLY place to get your freshly baked sourdough, croissants, pastries, muffins, cakes and coffee (their Vanilla Slice is mind blowing!). Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Racine started offering Grazing Boxes!

So while a visit to Racine during your stay at Basalt is a must, we felt that being able to have a pre-prepared Racine Grazing Box in your fridge awaiting your arrival would be the icing on the cake. Enjoy!

Rikard Riesling

Nose shows lime blossom, jasmine and preserved lemon first, followed by a slatey minerality, some fennel and a slight mealy, biscuity character. Lime and green apple on the palate are overlaid with nettles and green apricot. The acid structure is juicy without being tart and carries the abundance of fruit well. Lovely balance and intensity, with a myriad of spices popping up and then retreating with each sip.

Swinging Bridge “Mrs Payten” Chardonnay

Swinging Bridge Chardonnay

As was Mrs Payten, Tom’s grandmother, these are wines of style, elegance and finesse. This Chardonnay was first released to celebrate Armah’s 90th Birthday in 2013 and was matured in tightly grained French Oak, balancing its rich stone fruit and grapefruit characters. With its depth of flavour, flintiness and natural, cool climate acidity, this is a wine thatwill reward cellaring.

Macquariedale Pinot Gris

These grapes were hand harvested from a sustainable grown vineyard on the northern slopes of Mount Canobolas at 860m. The wine exhibits delicate floral aromas of citrus and orange blossom. The palate has lime zest overtones and has a hint of residual grape sugar.

De Salis Pinot Noir

De Salis Estate Pinot Noir with a lively nose of Orange Citrus, Raspberry Liquorice and Pork and Fennel sausage. A fine textured palate of Sour Cherry, White Strawberry backed up with an underlying earthiness of Portobello Mushroom and spice and lingering Campari finish.

Philip Shaw “The Idiot” Shiraz

Philip Shaw Shiraz

The Idiot is dark purple hue. Dark plums with hints spice ranging from cinnamon to white pepper. Its undeniably cool climate shiraz with mid palate tannin and a fine finish with toasted vanilla oak. Enjoy now or cellar for the next 5 years. Ideal accompaniment with friends and BBQ.

ChaLou “Dreaded Friend” Rose

ChaLou Dreaded Friend Rose

Quince and Rasberry with rose water lift. Bright refreshing palate with savoury elements and dry finish.

Sweet Sour Salt

Located in the heart of Orange, Sweet Sour Salt is a modern Asian fusion restaurant which has grown to become one of the region’s favourite dining establishments over the past 15 years. Owner and chef Ivan Podres and his team regularly surprise and delight with their unique flavour blends.

Basalt has teamed up with Sweet Sour Salt to enable our guests to make the most of the amazing in-studio dining experience without worrying about what to cook. We’ve selected the 6 most popular dishes on the Sweet Sour Salt menu, matched them to some of our favourite local wines and made them available to our guests to enjoy on their arrival night.

Each guest will receive an email 15 days prior to check-in inviting them to place their order. Orders must be received min. 7 days prior to arrival. Meals will be prepared fresh and delivered by your Basalt host to your studio fridge ready for your arrival. Simply heat up, pick some seasonal herbs from the studio’s garden to garnish and serve. A great way to start your stay!

Michael Manners

Manners began his career in France in the early 1960s, followed by a stint at England’s renowned Hole in the Wall in Bath. In 1970, Manners teamed with a Dany Chouet to open the bistro Upstairs in Sydney, giving the city’s fledgling dining out scene an unexpected sophistication. In 1976, following another stint in France, Michael opened the Glenella Guesthouse at Blackheath which quickly became one of the state’s great destination restaurants, regularly earning two hats.

After stints at Katoomba (Table Manners) and Leura’s Silks, Michael and wife Josephine moved to Orange and opened his acclaimed restaurant Selkirks in 1997. In doing so, they gave an already vibrant food and wine scene the focus it needed – a champion restaurant. In the history of the Good Food Guide, Manners is one of the most hatted chefs in NSW, with more than 20 awarded.

Michael is a legend in the Orange food scene and now prepares seasonal, 3-course, easy to plate up meals for Basalt guests to enjoy in the comfort of their studio.

Things To Do

7 Things To Do In Orange NSW In Summer

1. Get your hands on some local cherries 🍒