| Orange NSW 2800 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Population: 38,000, Height above sea level: 700m Latitude: 33.2100, Longitude: 149.1100 Location: 280km west of Sydney Highway: Mitchell Hwy. (32) Nearest Major Town: Orange Nearest Airport: Orange Touring Area: Explorer Country |
 |
 | |
| ||||
|
Orange is a city of historic buildings and streetscapes and natural attractions including
Mt Canobolas (1937m.) which is the highest point between the Blue Mountains and Perth.
The lake bearing the same name is a popular recreation area for swimming, sailing, fishing,
or just reflecting on the beautiful surroundings. In 1851, the first significant gold strike in Australia occured at nearby Ophir and you can now try your luck panning in the Ophir Reserve. There are some 20 wineries in the region offering tastings, and information on these is available from the Tourist Information Centre. There are also local berry farms and orchards to visit to see fresh produce for which Orange is renowned. Orange has a large variety of cafes, restaurants and take-away food outlets to choose from and many will be found on this page. Orange is also a centre for sport. There are three magnificent 18 hole golf courses to choose from, several bowling clubs, trotting and thoroughbred courses, a swimming centres and numerous sports grounds. there is abundant accommodation of all types and this can be organised through the local information centre. Orange calls itself the 'Colour City' and this is nowhere better realised than in the colourful parks and gardens which abound in the city. It was named by Sir Thomas Mitchell in his extensive travels of New South Wales and Victoria, after the Duke of Orange, and its fame was assured when Australia's first large gold rush occured an the nearby Ophir Goldfield. The Orange Botanical Gardens comprise 17Ha of lush parklands with an exotic and native collection of plants trees and shrubs along signposted walks. Cook Park is a pretty park with a Begonia House, fernglade, aviary and a duck pond. There are seats and picnic areas. Orange was also the birthplace of Andrew Barton ('Banjo') Paterson, and there is a memorial park to him at the remains of Narambla Homestead on the Ophir Road. On your visit you must see the Art Gallery and see the permanent collection LUCKNOW Lucknow is a small town on the road between Bathurst and Orange offering a pleasant break from the drive and several interesting things to do. This old goldmining town was the site of the second gold strike in Australia and now has several craft and coffee lounges offering fare to visitors. PLACES OF INTEREST: Cnr Byng & Paisley Sts. Ph: +61 2 6393 8136 Fax: +61 2 6393 8100 OPEN: Tues - Sat. 10 to 5, Sun. & Public Holidays 12 to 4 Closed Mondays. The Gallery was built in 1986 as a purpose built gallery and won the Sulman Award for Architecture. The fountain at the front is by Bronwyn Oliver, and was bought by the Friends of Orange Regional Gallery and Arts NSW. The Gallery collects Australian paintings, drawings and prints since 1916 specifically those perceived as fine works by artists likely to achieve importance in Australian art history. Works by Imants Tillers, Anne Judell, Euan McCleod, Mandy Martin, Salvatore Zofrea and Brett Whiteley are among recent acquisitions. Other collections include art clothing, jewellery and sculptural ceramics by some of the best known designers and craftsmen in Australia. At the core of the gallery collection is the Mary Turner (OAM) Collection presented in 1982 which includes works by Jean Appleton, Henri Bastin, Kevin Connor, George Duncan, Douglas Dundas, Ian Fairweather, Hector Gilliland, Weaver Hawkins, Frank Hinder, Rodney Milgate, Hilda Rix Nicholas, Sidney Nolan, Alison Rehfish, Frances Smith, Grace Cossington Smith, Eric Stewart, Stan de Teliga, Roland Wakelin, Ken Whisson and Salvatore Zofrea. The Mary Turner Collection is on show for six months each year, but can always be seen in store by appointment. A complete colour catalogue of the Collection is available. Orange was the birthplace of noted Australian poet Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson, author of the Man From Snowy River, Clancy of the Overflow, and the unofficial National Anthem, 'Waltzing Matilda, among hundereds of other Australian classics. He was born on the 17th February 1864 at John Templer's home on the Ophir Rd. and the site is marked with a memorial park and a monument. Another monument to this noted bush poet will be found in the gardens opposite the Visitor Centre. The Orange Botanic gardens were established by the Orange City Council in 1981 over 17 ha in Kearney's Drive and entry to the gardens is free from Monday to Sunday from 7 am to sunset. Around half of the plants are native with special displays of Heritage Roses and Central Tablelands Montane Contact: Ph: 02 6393 8680. Fax: 02 6393 8681. Email: obg@ix.net.au. 24km north east of Orange along the Ophir Rd, then Millers Crossing Rd for 2km., the area was part of the Ophir goldfields and was first mined in 1851 ‹ one of the earliest gold strikes in Australia. There are mining ruins along Summerhill Creek and Casuarina forests line the riverbanks, interspersed with red stringy bark, white box, red iron bark and bundy box. Swamp wallabies and eastern grey kangaroos are common and spotted-tailed quolls have been sighted in the area. Access to some areas is not easy and there are no facilities. No camping. 30km north east of Orange you can take a tour of a working gold mine, try your luck at gold panning, or take a tour of a mine, which has been working since the 1880s. Gold Mining Tours are conducted at Gunnadoo Gold Mine at Doctors Hill at Ophir. Gold from this mine was used for medals at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Underground tours, gold panning lessons (equipment for hire), bushwalking and trout fishing in local creeks are all available. Also visit the souvenir shop for gold samples, jewellery, T-shirts, tea towels etc. Ph: 02 6366 0445 for bookings and details Cabonne Council: Ph: 02 6392 3200 Fax: 02 6392 3260 Email: council@cabonne.nsw.gov.au Orange Visitor Information Centre Byng St. Orange. NSW 2800 Ph: 1800 069 466 HOW TO GET THERE: By car along the Great Western Hwy then north west from Orange |
|
© Copyright Peter W. Wilkins | |