ORANGE REGIONAL DISCOVERY

SUPPORTED

Experience a leisurely circular tour departing and returning to the regional food and wine hub of Orange. You cycle on average 50kms per day. This allows time to relax; meet with a range of stimulating ‘locals’ and to peel back the many layers of the region: be they artistic, geographic, cultural, historic, agricultural or of the gourmet variety. An optional extra is to take a hot air balloon flight at Australia’s ballooning capital of Canowindra. Stay in a well regarded mix of accommodation and celebrate the end of the journey with dinner at one of Orange’s renowned restaurants. While 80% of the route is on quiet bitumen back-roads through rolling country-side there is some cycling on busier main roads and little used dirt surface roads.

“Our Guides gentle guiding hand was there to see, for those who looked to see, and I became increasingly aware of how much time was put into ensuring we all enjoyed ourselves.”

— Malcolm E. Oct 2020

“What a fabulous week around Orange! Of course the food and wine were great but we also met some really interesting local people with tales about the region. Colin organised everything perfectly. This tour is more than just biking!”

— Alec and Alison April 2021

“Thanks for an exciting week cycling around the Orange district. We thoroughly enjoyed the scenery, the food and wine and most of all the great company.”

— Jenny K Oct 2020

Read this blogpost written by a recent tour participant.

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6 Nights / 6 Days
Supported (or see our Self-Guided Tour)
Tour distance 280 kms
Ascent and descent both 1,070m

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Tour Highlights Include

Meeting artisans producing high quality art and craft, learning the complexities of grading wool; riding though rolling countryside farmed for cattle and crops; savouring excellent pinot noir and tapas at the Slow Wine Co, a night in a former convent exuding history and quirkiness; wondering through the beautiful Japanese Gardens in Cowra, grazing from a regional tasting plate within an organic winery; visiting an iconic regional farming property, savouring quality coffee over relaxed breakfasts at carefully selected cafes and riding across the highly fertile basaltic soils around Mt Canobolas; famous for orchards, wineries and other intensive agriculture.

Tour Route and Timings

Dept. Orange Sunday 11.30am and return Friday afternoon to overnight at Mercure Orange or similar with tour concluding at Sat. am check-out. Tour distance 290 kms. Ascent and descent both 1,070 m. Circular cycle route with nights in the towns/villages of Millthorpe, Carcoar, Cowra, Canowindra, Cudal and Orange.

Tour Route

Elevation

Day 1 Orange to Millthorpe 33 kms
A late morning departure for historic Millthorpe via the very attractively designed Phillip Shaw winery. The pleasant cycling across the fertile countryside provides a nice warm-up for the journey ahead. Overnight at the Millthorpe Motel or similar. The specially arranged dinner at a local restaurant featuring excellent local food and wine sets the scene for the week of discovery.
Day 2 Millthorpe to Carcoar 63 kms
Cycle to the historic village of Carcoar via Blayney for morning coffee at the Iron Bark Espresso then power on to the sleepy hollow of Neville for a picnic lunch. The ride is predominantly on back-roads through scenic countryside with the final ride into Carcoar through a particularly appealing landscape. Overnight at Shalom House of Prayer (a fun night in the former nuns quarters) or Guest House options for group bookings. Dinner and breakfast in-house.
Day 3 Carcoar to Cowra 56 kms
The day’s cycling is predominantly across rolling countryside. After a picnic lunch the day’s riding concludes with a wonderful descent into Cowra. Time also to stroll through the beautiful and expansive Japanese Gardens. Cowra is a prosperous regional town and stay at centrally located, well rated motel. For those interested have pre-dinner drinks with a well- respected community leader. Dinner is at leisure with recommended pub or Indian options.
Day 4 Cowra to Canowindra 45 kms
After a leisurely cafe breakfast you ride the back-roads across the plains to Canowindra with its attractive streetscape and relaxed townsfolk. The lunch stop is at an charming organic farm and winery run by a most friendly family committed to their farming ideals. The regional tasting plate luncheon is a delight. Overnight accommodation at a centrally located Guest House with a dinner at a selected local pub or similar.
Day 5: Canowindra to Cudal 42 kms
An early morning hot air ballooning option is available. After breakfast meet with a very talented artist displaying a bold mix of eastern and western influences. Option to visit the Ages of Fishes Museum and see the bizarre looking ancient fishes that frequented the region before the dinosaurs. A most insightful talk with the owner/operators of a wool grading facility is one of the tour highlights. The shorter day’s cycling is mainly on quiet roads with a road-side picnic before heading to the Platypus Inn for the night. An inspection of a nearby historic farming property with the engaging owners, when they are on-site, is an added pre-dinner treat.
Day 6 Cudal to Orange 47 kms
After a hearty Platypus Cafe breakfast, the final day includes a 15 km ascent rewarded by lunch at a picturesque vineyard. You arrive back in Orange by mid-afternoon with time to relax and partake in some retail therapy if so inclined. Overnight accommodation is at the very comfortable de Russie Boutique Hotel. Dinner is at one of Orange’s quality restaurants with time to reflect on the adventure and celebrate with friends at the conclusion of the tour.
Day 7 Orange – tours ends with Hotel check out

Tour Dates

2024

Sun 6 Oct/ Sat 12 Oct (Tour 115) ( Recommend book asap due to EOI)

2025

Sun 30 Mar/ Sat 5 Apr (Tour 116)

Sun 6 Apr/ Sat 12 Apr (Tour 117)

Sun 2 Nov/ Sat 8 Nov (Tour 118)

Note: additional 2024 and 2025 dates available for groups 6-10. (See also self guided tours and choose tour own dates).

Tour Costs and Inclusions to 31 March 2025

Per head, double or twin share AU$2680

Single Supplement AU$500

Inclusions

6 nights accom., 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners, support & luggage vehicle /bike rack/qualified support driver, and 8 select tours/openings/visits. Detailed Tour Notes. Strava or similar GPS route maps. Off street parking available at the location of the start of the tour.