Home > Experience > Travel Guide > Creative Journeys

Having grown up here in Orange, we've witnessed first hand the many changing layers of the "Colour City". Our region is constantly evolving and looks quite different from one year to the next. There is so much to see, do and experience but where do you start piecing together an itinerary that makes the most of your time here? We are so glad you asked....

Travel Guide: Creative Journeys: An Art & Culture Getaway in Orange NSW

Day 1 > Afternoon

  • Arrive at Basalt Luxury Accommodation - your tranquil retreat perched at 1,100m above sea level, just 10km from Orange CBD. The hustle bustle of daily life will be replaced by the gentle rustle of our cherry trees and the distant call of native birds. Take a deep breath of the crisp mountain air, and prepare for yourself for a few days unlike any other.
  • Begin your cultural exploration at the Orange Regional Art Gallery, home to a compelling collection of contemporary and traditional Australian art. Discover rotating exhibitions showcasing both emerging and established artists, as well as thought-provoking installations and local creative works.

Day 1 > Evening

  • Experience the artistry of Japanese cuisine at Raku Izakaya, a contemporary and intimate dining spot in the heart of Orange.

Day 2 > Morning

  • Start your day at a stylish café, named Gather,  found inside The Sonic building - a beautifully restored Masonic Hall. Enjoy expertly brewed coffee and a delicious breakfast while browsing the adjoining Jumbled boutique, a haven of curated art, fashion, and homewares.
  • A short stroll from the town centre, The Corner Store Gallery presents an intimate yet ever-inspiring showcase of contemporary art, design, and photography from Australian creatives. The Inside This Box exhibition is coming up in February and not too far away is Jo Fernandez's Silver Linings exhibition
  • While on this side of town, head out the Icely Road where you'll find Mayfield Winery - a great spot for premium wine tasting and soaking up the beautiful Orange countryside.

Day 2 > Lunch

  • The all day lunch at Nile Street Cafe is the perfect top up. Their range of healthy, delicious lunch fare will have you ready to head west of Orange for the afternoon.

Day 2 > Afternoon

  • Becoming quite the institution here in Orange are Live Music Saturdays at Stockmans Ridge Wines. A 15-min drive from the town centre, there's few better ways to spend a lazy afternoon in the countryside!
  • On your way back in, take a right hand turn onto Lake Canobolas Road, enjoy a drive through the Towac Valley until the turn off to Gaanha Bula - Mount Canobolas, the highest peak in the region and a place of deep cultural significance for the Wiradjuri people. As you stand atop the summit, take in breathtaking 360-degree views of the Central Tablelands, and reflect on the rich Indigenous history and natural beauty that has shaped this land for thousands of years.
  • Return to Basalt to freshen up (a short 5-min drive from the base of Gaanha Bula). Run the bath and soak up the sunset with a glass in hand!

Day 2 > Evening

  • Dine at The Union Bank (or the "UB" as the locals know it). The hatted Schoolhouse Restaurant takes regional dining to a whole new level or you can opt for a more relaxed vibe in the courtyard. Take your pick!
  • Cap off your day with an intimate live music session at Washington & Co., a moody whiskey bar a short stroll from the UB. Enjoy jazz, blues, or acoustic sets paired with expertly crafted cocktails, providing the perfect blend of relaxation and culture.

Day 3 > Morning

  • Wake up to the crisp country air and a delicious continental breakfast* featuring locally sourced produce, enjoyed on your private deck. Soak in the final moments of tranquillity before a leisurely checkout at 10. *Your Basalt breakfast is complimentary.
  • If you are feeling energetic, take a scenic detour to the Orange Botanic Gardens, where the rolling landscape is dotted with sculptures by regional artists.
  • Just in case you haven't yet filled your art quota, the brand new Thousand Words Gallery has just opened in Blayney. From art exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, photography and ceramics, to thought-provoking installations and artist-led workshops, this vibrant space offers a final dose of inspiration before heading home.

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!

CLOSE

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.

 

 

 

CLOSE

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!

CLOSE

 

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.

CLOSE