Home > Experience > Things To Do > What’s On In Orange NSW In Autumn

Being Australia's colour city there's already reason enough to make Orange your next getaway destination. Our parks, gardens, tree lined streets and country roads echo all the autumnal colours and are an experience in and of itself. But if you need a little extra guide on what's on in Orange, then check out our pick of autumn events not to miss.

1. Orange Chamber Music Festival

7th-10th March 2024

The Orange Chamber Music Festival is the premier Art Music event of the Central West, showcasing Australian and international artists and ensembles within a variety of venues around the city of Orange, NSW. The four day boutique event is hailed for its sophisticated appeal and excellence in programming, combining the very best of Orange’s hospitality with incomparable musical experiences with chamber music at its core. To celebrate the city's vibrant cultural scene, Orange Chamber Music Festival will also deliver Cultured, a free community event that combines music, visual arts, heritage and literature in a full day of activities in and  around the cultural precinct. For more information, click here.

Orange Chamber Music Festival Photo Credit: Orange Chamber Music Festival

2. Runners & Cyclists

Orange Running Festival: 9th-10th March 2024
Goodness Gravel: 16th March 2024
Great Volcanic Mountain Challenge: 24th March

Since 2007 the Orange Running Festival has seen people of all ages take on anything from the 2km dash up to the full 42km marathon and everything in between. The course takes in some of the country roads to the south of Orange with the start & finish line located in the beautiful Gosling Creek Reserve.

Meanwhile 2024 sees the inaugural running of the Goodness Gravel cycle event offering 2 course lengths - 125km or 65km. The longer loop with a >2,000m ascent starts at Lake Canobolas, takes in the village of Cargo and sees you riding through Paling Yard and beyond finishing at Gaanha-bula (Mount Canobolas). Orange is brimming with great cycling trails which might be more your thing...

The Great Volcanic Mountain Challenge takes pain to another level as you summit 3 peaks in the one 11km run/walk/crawl! We'll sit this one out but we're sure there are some out there who will love the challenge let alone the natural beauty of running these trails on Gaanha-bula.

Goodness Gravel Photo Credit: Goodness Gravel

3. Sagra at Larder and Home

6th April 2024

A "Sagra" is an Italian celebration of ingredients that are at their peak. The Larder & Home chefs will be using seasonal ingredients at their peak to showcase what's in vogue all things Italian. Indulge in a selection of mouthwatering food prepared by talented local chefs with a hint of Italy, the afternoon is sure to be a good one. Be immersed in the country surrounds of Lucknow whilst sampling the diverse flavours on offer. For more information click here or book tickets here

Sagra @ Larder Design: Byng Street Group[/caption]

4. Orange F.O.O.D. Week Festival

5th - 14th April 2024

From humble beginnings in 1991,  the Orange F.O.O.D. (Food Of Orange District) Week festival is now Australia’s longest running regional food and wine festival and delivers a rich tapestry of events held over 10 days each April, during our local Autumn harvest and vintage season.A few of the signature events to keep an eye on when it comes to planning your visit include the ever popular Night Markets, the Sampson Street Long Lunch and for the slightly more adventurous, Forage. No matter what your interest in food is - there will be an event that suits your tastebuds - view the full program here.

FOOD Week Night Markets Photo Credit: Photography by Pip 

5. Canowindra International Balloon Challenge

2oth-28th April 2024

Featuring the Community Balloon Glow - a free event that includes Food and Wine Stalls, Live Music, Entertainment and the highlight of the evening, the Cabonne Community Glow - a magical experience where you'll see hot air balloons lighting up their burners synced to all new music under the beautiful evening skies in the Central West.

The Balloon Challenge action is at either end of the day with balloons flying at sunrise and in the last hour before sunset over a 9 day period. This leaves plenty of time for exploring. Whilst in Canowindra visit the Age of Fishes Museum (home of the State Fossil), wander down the historic main street or enjoy art galleries, wonderful coffee, cellar doors and quirky shopping.

Balloon Glow Photo Credit: Cabonne Council

6. Sculptures by the Bush

12th April - 5th May, 2024

Move over Sculptures by the Sea, Sculptures by the Bush is back and bigger than ever! An annual competition held across the Blayney Shire where local residents are encouraged to enter and visitors and locals explore the region and see the sculptures. The competition has three different classifications including the Hay Bale Art Challenge, a Farm Art Challenge and the Scarecrow Competition. More information here.

Sculptures by the Bush Photo Credit: Blayney Council

As you plan your autumn escape to Orange, New South Wales, remember that each of these events, and many others, offer a unique opportunity to celebrate the season in a distinct way. Whether you're dining on delectable delights, cycling along our country roads, admiring the skill of balloonists, exploring the Blayney region's farm creativity or immersing yourself in beautiful sounds, your autumn getaway promises to be unforgettable. So pack your bags, put on your most comfortable shoes, and get ready to make the most of Orange's vibrant autumn events!

Jump over to our booking page and lock in your visit to Orange this autumn.

More Experiences

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!

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Rikard Riesling

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

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 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.

 

 

 

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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!

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Michael Manners

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.

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