Family Fun

The Orange NSW region is the perfect destination for idyllic family time. Give your children treasured memories of playing in glorious parks in piles of autumn leaves, filling baskets with freshly picked juicy cherries or being snuggled in their sleeping bags under the stars.

There are many orchards and berry farms in the region that offer a pick-your-own experience. Though many may find their way to mouths than back to the car, that’s just part of the fun. Orange wineries are also starting to take note and becoming more family-friendly, with some offering a sweet petting zoo experience adjacent to the tasting rooms.

Bring history to life with a stroll down one of the well-preserved streets of the surrounding villages -  feel as though you could be walking down the street on a sunny day in 1900. See a movie at a former travelling picture show, or discover the place where bushrangers made the biggest gold robbery in NSW.

Pack the picnic blanket and head to one of the many tranquil picnic spots. Let the kids burn off some energy at one of the many fantastic play areas around the town, as you enjoy a picnic lunch of the local produce readily available throughout the region. For the adventurous, there are caves and old mines safe for exploring - don’t forget your torch! Camp by the banks of picturesque waterways; grab a fishing line and help the little ones catch their first fish. Toast marshmallows and sleep under the stars. Such simple pleasures will become treasured family memories.

Cook Park embodies the seasonal colours of Orange all year round. Summer's arrival brings gardens of stunning and vibrant coloured roses. From February to April, hundreds of begonias bloom in the 'Blowes Conservatory', and in Spring, a burst of colour arrives with masses of tulips and daffodils.

This 4.5-hectare parkland in the heart of Orange is named after Captain James Cook and was originally laid out in a traditional Victorian design in 1873, with straight paths and rows of trees. Much of the original design is still in place.

This National Trust area is also home to duck ponds, swings (for kids), an aviary featuring predominantly native birdlife (for bird watchers), the peaceful Lattice Fernery and for the craft lover, there is the Cook Park Guildry.

The Guildry can be found in 'Bastick Cottage', a Victorian-style heritage building. Visitors will find a wide range of unique handcrafted goods, including pottery, knitting, woodwork, homemade jams and freshly baked goods.

Cook Park is an easy 10-minute walk west of the Orange CBD via Summer or Kite Streets.

The self-guided heritage walk is very popular with brochures available in the Guildry or from the Orange Visitor Information Centre.

Address

24 Summer Street
Orange

Classifications

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations, Landmarks and Buildings

Special Features

Carpark, Family Friendly, Picnic Area, Public Toilet

Costs

Child: -
Visit Website

Upcoming events

Fireside Feast at The Oriana Gardens

07 - 15 Aug 2026
Fireside Feast returns to The Oriana Gardens this Orange Region Fire Festival for four winter evenings of fire, flavour, cocktails and outdoor dining.

Monty’s Après Club

07 - 16 Aug 2026
Monty's Après Club is bringing big alpine energy to Orange this Fire Festival - the kind usually reserved for European ski towns where lunch starts with Champagne and nobody goes home before midnight.

Orange Region Fire Festival

07 - 16 Aug 2026
Every August, the Orange Region's Fire Festival showcases local artists, musicians and producers through a series of collaborations spanning a ten-day program.

Ceramic Wind Chime Workshop

13 Aug 2026
Join ceramic artist Emma Small for a relaxed evening of creativity, connection and clay as you create your own collection of handmade wind chimes and bells.

Festa del Fuoco

13 Aug 2026
As part of the Orange Region Fire Festival, Fiorini's Osteria Italiana extends an invitation to experience one of Orange's most memorable winter dining experiences.

Ignite x Michael Manners: A Four Hands Dinner

13 Aug 2026
As part of the annual Orange Region Fire Festival, Ignite Bar & Grill welcomes guest Chef Michael Manners, former Chef of Selkirk, for a special four-hands dining experience celebrating the connection between fire, seasonality, and memory.

Rikard x Lucetta

13 Aug 2026
Rikard Wines together with Lucetta Dining are coming together for a truly special, one-night-only experience as part of the Orange Region Fire Festival. Join Will as he presents a selection of Rikard Wines, expertly matched to Francesco's hearty four course winter menu.

Fire Festival - Music, Pizza and Wine Night

14 Aug 2026
Winter in Orange is made for nights around the fire, great local food and a glass of wine in hand.

Forged | A Journey Through Fire

14 Aug 2026
As part of the Orange Region Fire Festival, Ignite Bar & Grill and Stockman's Ridge Wines present Forged, an exclusive one-night-only dining experience inspired by the transformative power of fire.

The Great Spice Night

14 Aug 2026
Step inside the magnificent 1876 mansion of Duntry League Golf Club and be immersed in warm hospitality, glowing ambience and rich aromas of a three-course authentic feast inspired by traditional Nepalese cooking.

The Rowlee Winter Table

14 Aug 2026
As part of the Orange Region Fire Festival, Rowlee presents an intimate winter evening celebrating handmade pasta, wood-fired cooking and cool-climate wines.

The Ultimate Fire Festival Weekend at Lakeview | Second Weekend

14 - 16 Aug 2026
Stay at Lakeview Luxury Retreat this Fire Festival and enjoy a curated weekend of fireside wine, live music, mystery, and unforgettable local food, all while retreating each evening to your private eco-luxury villa overlooking Lake Canobolas.

Bonfire Blues

15 Aug 2026
Head to the Mortimers Wines Cellar Door this Orange Fire Festival for an afternoon around fire pits at their latest live music event - Bonfire Blues.

Earth and Fibre Mini Fest

15 Aug 2026
Discover the art of pottery and crochet at this immersive hands-on workshop, presented as part of the Orange Region Fire Festival.

Fire Cooking Masterclass with Michael Manners at Ross Hill

15 Aug 2026
Join renowned chef Michael Manners for an unforgettable day of Fire cooking at Ross, the perfect opportunity for food and wine enthusiasts to learn, interact, and indulge.

Sterling Silver Ring Making Workshop and Wine

15 Aug 2026
Discover the artistry of silversmithing in a creative three-hour workshop with Skye Bragg Designs, hosted at the beautiful Barrel Shed at the Heifer Station cellar door.

There's a Murder at the Dance Hall

15 Aug 2026
As part of the Orange Fire Festival, Canobolas Dance Hall and Macquariedale Wines are proud to present an exciting new immersive event unlike anything seen before. For one night only, the historic dance hall becomes the scene of a shocking crime.

Ember Feast at the Orchard

16 Aug 2026
Gather with family and friends under the bare winter branches of Hillside Harvest orchard for a magical afternoon of food, fire, and music.

Sterling Silver Earring, Pendant Making Workshop and Wine

16 Aug 2026
Discover the artistry of silversmithing in a creative six-hour workshop with Skye Bragg Designs, hosted at the beautiful Barrel Shed at the Heifer Station cellar door.

Wine Trivia at Mayfield Vineyard

16 Aug 2026
Gather at Mayfield Vineyard for a fun afternoon of wine, food and friendly competition as part of the Orange Region Fire Festival. Set in The Grove, Mayfield's rustic event space overlooking the vineyard, this trivia afternoon will put your wine knowledge to the test.