Your Perfect Winter Escape To The Orange Wine Region
Australia’s highest wine region is never more magical than in winter. Here’s everything you need to plan an unforgettable long weekend in Orange, NSW.
The June long weekend is one of the best kept secrets in Australian wine tourism. While the coast cools down, the Orange wine region turns golden — think crisp mountain air, cellar door fires, and glass after glass of world-class cool climate wine poured by the people who made it.
Just four hours west of Sydney and sitting at altitudes of up to 1,150 metres, Orange NSW is home to climate vineyards and some of the most exciting cellar doors in regional Australia. Whether you’re a seasoned wine lover or simply looking for a charming long weekend getaway from Sydney, Orange delivers every time — and the June long weekend is no exception.
Read on for our complete guide to what to do in Orange NSW this June long weekend, crafted with love by the team at See Saw Wine.
01 — Why Orange in Winter
Why the June Long Weekend Is the Best Time to Visit Orange
Many visitors assume Orange NSW wine region is a spring or autumn destination. The locals know better. Winter in Orange is spectacular — crisp, dry days perfect for cellar door hopping, open fires at every restaurant, and none of the summer crowds.
The altitude that makes this region a cool climate wine region powerhouse also makes for gloriously invigorating winter days. Pack a coat, load up the car with friends, and let Orange do the rest.
Travel Tip
Orange is a 4-hour drive from Sydney via the Great Western Highway, or accessible by NSW TrainLink train service to Orange station. We recommend arriving Friday afternoon so you can squeeze in a sunset cellar door visit before dinner.
02 — Start Here
Begin at the See Saw Cellar Door, Nashdale
No trip to the Orange wine region is complete without a visit to the See Saw Cellar Door — just a 10-minute drive from the Orange CBD in the beautiful Nashdale district. As one of Orange’s most acclaimed organic wine producers, See Saw has been awarded Best Organic Wine three years running and represents everything this region stands for: estate grown fruit, sustainable viticulture, and minimal-intervention winemaking.
Our signature wine tasting experience is a 60-minute guided journey through our seasonal range with one of our knowledgeable team members. Every tasting begins with a glass of our celebrated Prosecco — arguably the most-poured glass in Orange — before moving through a selection of our elegant white and red varieties. For wine lovers wanting to go deeper, our Seasonal Food & Wine Tasting pairs local produce from Orange’s remarkable food scene with each wine.
Book a tasting experience at the cellar door.
03 — The Wines
The Cool Climate Wines of Orange NSW
What makes Orange wine region wines so special? It comes down to altitude and volcanic soils. Sitting up to 1,150 metres above sea level on the slopes of the extinct volcano Gaanha Bula Mount Canobolas, Orange’s vineyards enjoy long, cool growing seasons that produce wines of extraordinary elegance and complexity — earning it comparisons to some of Europe’s great cool climate wine regions.
See Saw’s organic cool climate wines span the full spectrum — from our bright, mineral-driven whites to our deeply expressive reds. Our estate grown fruit, nurtured using 30 years of sustainable farming experience, delivers wines that are honest expressions of this remarkable mountainous terroir.
04 — Explore the Region
Other Must-Visit Cellar Doors & Wineries Near Orange
After your See Saw experience, lace up your boots and explore more of what makes Orange NSW wineries so beloved. The region is home to over 30 cellar doors ranging from converted schoolhouses to architect-designed tasting rooms.
Rowlee Wines, just down the road from See Saw, has recently opened a stunning restaurant — a brilliant option for a long winter lunch in the vines. Printhie Wines is a must-visit if you’re a sparkling wine devotee: their SWIFT range has been named best Australian sparkling multiple years running, and they’re the only cellar door in the region with a live oyster tank on site. Their hatted restaurant makes for an exceptional dinner.
Swinging Bridge, perched with commanding views of Gaanha Bula Mount Canobolas at 1,395 metres, is the place for serious Chardonnay and Pinot Noir enthusiasts. Winemaker Tom Ward’s minimal intervention approach produces some of the region’s most sought-after bottles. Nearby, Philip Shaw Wines — one of Orange’s pioneering estates with vines planted in 1989 — offers tastings in a charming 130-year-old barn.
For something a little more eclectic, ChaLou and the newly opened Canobolas Wines cellar door are excellent additions to any itinerary. And if you want to stay the night among the vines, Nashdale Lane offers glamping accommodation right on the vineyard.
Local Tip
Book cellar door tastings in advance — especially over the June long weekend. Many of the smaller, boutique producers open by appointment only and fill up fast. The See Saw team is always happy to share recommendations for the rest of your itinerary when you visit.
05 — Beyond the Glass
Things to Do in Orange NSW This June Long Weekend
The Orange NSW wine region is as much about food, culture, and landscape as it is about the wine. Here’s how to spend your time when you’re not at a cellar door:
Orange Farmers Market: Held every second Saturday, the Orange Region Farmers Market is a brilliant morning stop to meet the local growers and producers whose ingredients end up on your plate and in your glass. Pick up local hazelnuts, heritage apples, artisan cheese, and more.
Gaanha Bula Mount Canobolas: A winter hike to the summit of this extinct volcano offers sweeping views across the wine region — and puts the terroir you’ve been tasting into magnificent perspective. On a clear June morning, it’s one of the most beautiful walks in central NSW.
Orange CBD dining and boutique shopping: The CBD punches well above its weight with a string of award-winning restaurants, wine bars, and independent retailers. Spend a morning browsing boutiques before a long lunch at one of the town’s celebrated eateries, our local favourite The Union Bank.
07 — Accommodation
Where to Stay in the Orange Wine Region
The Orange NSW accommodation scene has grown remarkably in recent years. For those who want to sleep among the vines, Heifer Station Wines offers beautifully appointed stays right on the vineyard. Borrodell Estate offers another vineyard stay option with the bonus of an onsite restaurant and cellar door.
For a more central base, the Orange CBD has a range of boutique guesthouses and hotels ideal for exploring the town’s restaurants and bars on foot. Book early — accommodation in Orange over the June long weekend fills up quickly.
Ready to Book Your Orange Long Weekend?
Start with a See Saw Cellar Door experience — organic, estate-grown cool climate wines in the heart of Nashdale. Spots fill fast over the June long weekend.
