Unmissable Highlights on a Road Trip From Sydney to Orange

Make the journey to Orange as incredible as the destination with these must-sees along the way.

Meandering through the World Heritage Blue Mountains and on through the beautifully sun-bleached Australian rural landscapes of the central west, the 3.5-hour drive from Sydney to Orange is punctuated with worthy stops to divert your attention. You could easily make the journey in one go, but you’d miss out on the treasures of heritage towns, delicious food and spectacular scenery along the way. Here are the best places to revive and help you into a minibreak mood before you roll into Orange.

Sydney to Katoomba: 1 hour 45 minutes

You’re setting out for Orange on a sojourn of wining, dining and fun-timing, but you needn’t hurry it along. Slow it down, stretch it out and take the whole day to arrive by enjoying the scenery and charming towns en route, after all, you’re passing through the beautiful Blue Mountains. Escaping the clutch of Sydney traffic is the hardest part of any road trip, but once you’re free of the city limits, the towering eucalypts and gentle curves of the Great Western Highway will give way to a getaway state of mind. Lean into it and stop in Katoomba to enjoy this historic mountain town’s dramatic scenery and a handful of must-see highlights.

Echo Point Lookout

You’ve been on the road for almost two hours now, so get blood pumping to your legs again with a stop at Echo Point Lookout for sweeping vistas of the Jamison Valley and the Three Sisters. While you’re here, fortify for the next part of the journey at the Milkbar, where you can cradle a good coffee and a breakfast roll or crumbed brisket bagel.

Bowery

If you’re pulling into Katoomba in time for brunch or lunch, placate your growing hanger with a stop at casual eatery Bowery . Straddling two meal times, the menu wanders from a sweet brioche French toast to a more filling osso buco or roasted sesame poke bowl. Set in a former church, the vast dining hall and courtyard make for an ambient spot to stop.

Mountain Culture Beer

Katoomba’s beloved brewpub is a must-visit for those in the vehicle not sharing the driving. Although those who are teetotalling will still relish the break to clasp two hands around a generously stuffed burger. If you are partaking in a drink, the craft brewery has plenty of interesting beers to try, such as the Status Quo Pale Ale to the Moon Dust Stout and a range of seasonal brews.

Round Walking Track Katoomba

A short stroll through the rainforest is a truly lovely way to ensure you’re relaxing into a minibreak. You needn’t lace up hiking boots for this concise 1.2-kilometre loop , but you’ll still be treated to a highlight reel of the area’s big-hitter sights, such as the Three Sisters and Witches Leap Waterfall.

Scenic World

If you have a little more time up your sleeve, go big at Scenic World to get right to the heart of the Blue Mountain’s gob-smacking beauty. The Scenic Skyway will glide you across the Jamison Valley, the Scenic Cableway will take you 510 metres down to the valley floor and back again, and the Scenic Railway, the steepest in the world, will descend 310 metres at a 52-degree incline. An Unlimited Discovery Pass will give you access to all attractions, all day.

Katoomba to Bathurst: 1 hour 20 minutes

While Bathurst was the site of the first Australian gold rush, these days, the rush more readily comes from motor racing on Mount Panorama. But away from the engine revving, Bathurst, founded in 1815, remains a beautiful and historic town well worth a stop on your itinerary. Set to the west of the Blue Mountains and on the south bank of the Macquarie River, it has both heritage grandeur and a rural casualness.

The Hub

If you’ve arrived with a need to fill your tank, head to The Hub Espresso Bar and Eatery to refuel. Grinding the beans of Fish River Roasters to make aromatic coffee, this is the place for your caffeine fix. Breakfast is until noon, after that, settle into lunch classics of toasted panini, BLTs and salads outside in the leafy courtyard.

Bathurst Regional Art Gallery

Take an artful detour at this excellent gallery that is well-endowed with a collection of more than 3000 works, from painting and sculpture to photography and ceramics. You’ll find the names of some notable Australian artists gracing the walls, such as James Gleeson, Grace Cossington Smith and Lloyd Rees, while the gallery also hosts feature and touring exhibitions.

Art on display inside Bathurst Art Gallery — Find more than 3000 works on display at the gallery. (Image: Destination NSW)

Abercrombie House

Bathurst isn’t short on marvellous buildings and a stroll through the centre of town will reveal a long and architecturally significant history, such as the Victorian-style courthouse. But rather than admire from the street, why not step back in time with a tour of the stately Abercrombie Hous e? Although privately owned by the Morgan family, this 50-room, 1870s Scottish mansion is regularly open for tours and self-guided tours. Rather incongruously placed in rural Australia, this building is astonishingly well-preserved and worth a visit. You can even enjoy a high tea here on certain dates.

Bathurst to Orange: 50 minutes

If you still have time up your sleeve on the final leg of your journey, there are stops between Bathurst and Orange that deserve your time. Although, the delights of your destination await. Perhaps you’re eager to get cosy by a cottage fire at a snug and stylish Airbnb, sip a much-longed-for glass of pinot noir at a cellar door, or make your reservation at one of Orange’s incredible restaurants. Whatever you don’t manage to fit in on your inward journey, be sure to earmark the below for when it’s time to retrace your steps home.

Group enjoying a tour of vineyards with Orange Wine Tours in Orange — It’s time to enjoy the spoils of Orange with a wine tour. (Image: Destination NSW)

Millthorpe Village

The very idea of a proverbial country village brought to life, Millthorpe is nothing short of adorable . Sweet and welcoming, it’ll have you fantasising about the rural life you always suspected you were made for. Just 20 minutes southeast of Orange, it’s an easy slip off the main route to wander the main street lined with heritage buildings. From vintage shopping to produce-driven eateries and generally beautiful streets, it seems wonderfully uninterrupted by ordinary life.

Larder and Home

If you simply can’t wait to get to Orange for a bite and a cup of good coffee (or a glass of vino), pull into Lucknow, where you’ll find Larder & Home . Owned by the same people behind Orange’s much-adored Byng St Cafe, settle in here by the banks of Summer Hill Creek for Allpress coffee, wood-fired pizza and a well-edited list of local wines.

Highland Heritage

As you enter the outskirts of Orange, toast to your adventures from Sydney by stopping in at Highland Heritage , one of the first cellar doors you’ll see as you drive toward town on the Mitchell Highway. Prime your palate for a weekend of wine-tasting here, where cool climate wines are made in one of Orange’s oldest vineyards. Open from 10am to 5pm, it’s a lovely way to begin (or end) your tour trip.

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

Where to stay

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

Where to drink & dine

1. The Bar

the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar — Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

2. The Place

the Fullerton Hotel the place dining — Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

3. Local gelato

Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks — Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

What to do/see

1. GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

2. Circular Quay

aerial of circular quay sydney — Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden — Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

4. Theatre Royal

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.

Unmissable highlights on a road trip from Sydney to Orange