After a year bouncing from commitment to commitment, we decided to take a longer-than-usual break over Christmas and New Year to relax and recharge. However, we found ourselves spending a lot of time sitting in front of our computers, preparing our websites and businesses for the new year, and not relaxing!
So, come Easter, both of us were in need of a break and we knew we had to go away to ensure that we did relax.
Over the last 18 months we'd lost contact with many friends whilst we settled into a routine of work and family commitments. So we decided to base ourselves in Orange, 3½ hours drive from Sydney and an hour from Cowra where my friend and her husband lived. We'd first visited them in Cowra in 2009, and then I caught up with my friend again in 2012. So we were long overdue for a visit, although we felt basing ourselves in Orange would give us more touring options than Cowra.
Orange has been described as the ”food bowl of New South Wales” so we were looking forward to sampling the local produce. Turns out we fed the soul more than we fed the body.
The ‘Outskirts’ of Town
We stayed at Melview Greens Serviced Apartments on the outskirts of Orange (5-10 minutes drive from the town centre!). We had a studio apartment, not much bigger than a standard motel room, with a small kitchenette and ensuite.
Towac Park racecourse with Mt Canobolas in the background Melview Greens was located next door to a retirement village, across the road from a golf course, up the road from a wetlands reserve and a block away from the racecourse. The perfect location catering for the pursuits of retirees - golf, horses, walks?
Sunrise near the railway track The first night we were in the apartment we heard a train pass through. It turns out there was a railway crossing just past the retirement village, and based on timetables, I think it was the Indian Pacific we heard that night.
No sun on the last morning. Only grey skies. There was just enough room in the apartment to roll out a yoga mat leaving a narrow path to the ensuite, but it was pretty cramped. The first morning I practised behind the car in the adjoining carport but the following morning I discovered the barbecue shed behind the apartments! The barbecue facilities were available to all visitors but most people used them at night. I'd love watching the sun rise over the poplars bordering the golf course to come streaming into the shed. That shed became my private yoga studio!
The Town Centre
Being in a new town, our first stop was the Visitor Information Centre to find out what there was to see in the central western region. Adjoining the Visitor Information Centre is the Orange Regional Museum and we spent a bit of time looking at the exhibits.
‘Ripper’ art installation in Sister Cities Garden framing ‘Seed’ fountainThe Visitor Information Centre seems to be part of a cultural hub; an area that comprises the Orange Civic Theatre, the Orange City Library, Orange Regional Gallery and the Orange Regional Museum. These buildings surround a plaza and the Sister Cities Garden.
Bike stand for the Orange City LibraryIt might seem strange to take a photo of the toilet signs but there's something about the public art and signs that caught my eye.
Orange Post OfficeAfter the museum we followed a heritage walking tour for a couple of blocks before we turned back onto the main street, Summer Street, popping in and out of shops that piqued our interest. There is a mix of old and new architecture. Orange Post Office is a Victorian Italianate building that was erected in 1880 on the side of an old post and telegraph office.
Ferment. Orange Wine Centre and StoreWe visited Ferment, the Orange Wine Centre and Store a couple of days before we left. Ferment is located in another beautiful heritage building, the interior looks much more impressive than the outside. The building was owned by the Hibernian Australian Catholic Benefit Society, a church-based support network that provided welfare benefits to its members.
Other photos
We have so many photos - too many to put in one post. (We were on holidays and relaxed!) Be assured, the plan isn't to post a day-by-day account!
See also the following photos on our Instagram accounts:
- The advantages of driving your own car to your holiday destination
- My private yoga studio, the barbecue shed at Melview Greens
- The sun rising behind the poplars at Melview Greens
- ‘Emma’ the 1925 Chevrolet Superior Tourer at the Orange Regional Museum
- ‘Seed’ fountain
- Detail of ‘Seed’ fountain
- Post Office Lane, Orange
Following are the other posts on Orange:
... and from my From Deb's Kitchen website: Away from Home - Orange.
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