Explore the wild side of Orange
October 2018
Home to the site of Australia’s first gold rush and the birthplace of Banjo Paterson, Orange holds an important place in Australia’s history. These days, the cool temperatures make Orange the perfect setting for grape growing, and many wineries have opened in the area. Orange is a significant regional centre for many close by smaller towns, and with its mix of history, nature and lifestyle, is the perfect destination for a getaway. If you’re interested to get amongst nature during your stay in Orange, there are several areas close by where you can explore the wilderness and also experience the rich history of the remaining gold mines.
Ophir Reserve is only half an hours drive from Orange, and is a fantastic place to spend the day exploring and learning about the area’s history. Take the Historic Water Race walking track, a 2.6 kilometre loop from the Fourth Crossing picnic area, through the area and view firsthand how gold miners created the track in the 1860s in order to better capture and direct water down to the mining areas. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars as well, as there are great opportunities for birdwatching on this track! Colourful native parrots and owls call this area home, and you can also spot gliders, possums and maybe even platypus in the creeks if you’re lucky!
If you need a break from walking the track, cool off with a swim in the waterhole at the bottom of nearby The Falls Water Falls. In Winter after heavy rainfall, these falls are particularly exciting due to the high levels of water in Summer Hill Creek. Why not also try your luck with a spot of fishing while you’re in the area? Summer Hill Creek lies alongside the Fourth Crossing Picnic area, and is a well-known spot for trout and native fish species. Settle at one of the many picnic tables available for a long lunch, then head over to the creek to see if anything’s biting.
Another outdoors option in the Orange region is Nangar National Park. Offering scenic views of the surrounding areas, Nangar is home to challenging bushwalking tracks, mountain biking, camping and picnicking areas. Despite there being only one campground here, it accommodates for vehicles and caravans better than most national parks; the Terarra Creek campground is centrally located and provides easy access to Dripping Rock, the Mount Nangar hiking track and the Mount Murga walking track. Hike up to the Mount Nangar lookout for breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, or if you don’t feel like walking - you can also 4WD to the lookout. You might even see a cheeky possum or two, as they’ve been known to visit the campsite from time to time. If not, don’t worry - there’s plenty of opportunities to view wildlife on the walking trails. Kangaroos, gliders and wombats all call the park home, and don’t forget to bring your binoculars for the best chance of seeing endangered bird species like the turquoise parrot, the little lorikeet, honeyeaters and robins.
No matter where you stay or what you choose to do in Orange, you’re sure to have an incredible experience.
- Article written by Madeleine Tootell from Wild Escapes