Orange


A major provincial city in western New South Wales, Orange presently has a population of around 32,000. Orange is one of the few cities in Australia to receive reasonably frequent snowfalls in winter.

Where it it?: Orange is located on the Mitchell Highway, 260 kilometres west of Sydney.

Events: Slow Summer is held in late January or early February, the annual F.O.O.D. Week is held each April (April 5-14 next year), Frost Fest is held in August (August 3-12 this year) and Orange Wine Week takes place each October.

Orange wine region: is regarded as one of the best cool-climate wine districts in the country, gaining particular acclaim for its sauvignon blancs and chardonnays. Shiraz and cabernet sauvignon are the most widely planted red varieties, with merlot and pinot noir also popular. Most of the wineries are small, family-run affairs, although several growers sell fruit to larger businesses.

Orange is the birthplace of poets Banjo Paterson and Kenneth Slessor, although Paterson only lived in Orange for a very short time as an infant.

The first Australian Touring Car Championship, known today as V8 Supercar Championship Series, was held at the Gnoo Blas circuit in 1960.

Mount Canobolas: at an altitude of 1,395 metres it gives commanding views of the district. A significant nearby landmark; with its fertile volcanic soil, the northern slopes are becoming a popular cold-climate wine producing area. Mount Canobolas is the highest point in New South Wales west of the Great Dividing Range, but is not, as is sometimes claimed, the highest point between Australia's Great Dividing Range.

Climate: Orange has a temperate climate, with rainfall distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. Compared with most population centres in Australia it has colder winters, especially in terms of its daytime maximum temperatures, and average (and absolute) summer maximum temperatures are also lower than most inland centres, on account of its elevation. The climate has enabled the area to be a major apple and pear producer, and more recently a centre for cool-weather wine production.



Millthorpe

The picturesque village of Millthorpe, a 15-minute drive from Orange, is home to cafes, boutiques and antique stores, along with Tonic restaurant, a regular hat winner in The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide; the Millthorpe Wine Centre and Angullong cellar doors; and the Commercial Hotel.

About Orange: Orange is a well known fruit growing district, and produces apples, pears, and many stone fruits such as cherries, peaches, apricots and plums. Somewhat ironically, oranges are not grown in the area, as the climate is too cool. In recent years, a large number of vineyards have been planted in the area for a rapidly expanding wine production industry. The growth of this wine industry, coupled with the further development of Orange as a gourmet food capital, has ensured Orange's status as something of a tourism capital.


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