Date ideas in Orange
21 date ideas around Orange, from tastings at Philip Shaw and Small Acres Cyder and five courses at Tonic in Millthorpe to a walk around Lake Canobolas, the drive up Mount Canobolas and Arch Cave at Borenore. Swipe through them above, or browse every one below. Each was checked on the place's own website: what it is, when it's on and what it costs. 8 are free.
Every date idea in Orange, by kind
21
ideas
8
free
6
kinds
Sep 2026
last checked
Food and drink: 8 date ideas in Orange
ORANGE
Second Saturday at the Orange Farmers Market
Once a month, producers from across the Central West set up in the Naylor Pavilion at the Showground. Shop for the week's produce together, then carry a bag home.
When Second Saturday of every month, 8:30am to midday (held in Robertson Park in May)
Cost Gold coin donation entry; pay as you go at each stall
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
ORANGE
A tasting at Philip Shaw Wines
Taste cool-climate wines from Philip Shaw's Koomooloo vineyard, planted in 1989 and, the winery says, one of the highest and coolest in Australia. Add the cheese plate and make it a slow 45 minutes.
When Every day, 11am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day); booked slots from 11am to 4pm; bookings required
Cost $15 each; with a cheese plate $30 each
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
BORENORE
Cider tasting at Small Acres Cyder
Ten kilometres out of Orange at Borenore, Small Acres pours its ciders made from fresh apples, from the easy-drinking classics to small-batch vintage ciders in English and French styles. Book ahead for the cheese and cider pairing, currently on Friday afternoons.
When Friday 2pm to 5pm; Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm; most public holidays
Cost Classic tasting $10 each; vintage tasting $20 each; cheese and cider $35 each (Friday afternoons or by arrangement)
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
ORANGE
A gin tasting board at Parrot Distilling Co
Parrot makes its gin in Orange and pours it in The Aviary, its bar and tasting room. Share the house tasting board of the distiller's classic gins, then stay for cocktails and a wood-fired pizza.
When Thursday and Sunday noon to 7pm; Friday and Saturday noon to 8pm; tastings noon to 5:30pm
Cost House tasting board $25
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Spring blossom on Victoria Street, Millthorpe, where Tonic sits on the Pym Street corner. Photo: Mattinbgn · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
MILLTHORPE
Five courses at Tonic in Millthorpe
In the village of Millthorpe, 20 minutes from Orange, Tony and Nicole Worland's restaurant has served a seasonal set menu from local producers since 2003, and says it has regularly held a Good Food Guide chef's hat.
When Dinner Thursday to Saturday; lunch Saturday and Sunday; bookings by phone
Cost Five-course set menu $110 each (when checked); 10% surcharge on public holidays
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
ORANGE
A wine flight and tasting plate at Ross Hill
Ross Hill, which says it was Australia's first Climate Active certified winery, matches a flight of its wines with nuts, cheese, cured meats and chocolate. Book the early winery tour to see behind the scenes first.
When Every day, 10:30am to 4:30pm; bookings highly recommended, walk-ins when tables are free; winery tour before opening (arrive before 10am, bookings essential)
Cost Wine flight and tasting plate $30 each
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Robertson Park, where the Night Market sets up its long tables. Photo: Shkuru Afshar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
ORANGE
The Orange Wine Festival Night Market
The Orange Wine Festival opens with an evening in Robertson Park: local winemakers pour, regional chefs and cooks serve, local musicians play and everyone sits at long communal tables.
When Friday 16 October 2026, 5pm to 9pm (moves to the Naylor Pavilion at the Showground if wet)
Cost $15 each with a tasting glass, or $10 without; wine and food bought from stallholders
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Pym Street, Millthorpe, the village street the tasting strolls along. Photo: Mattinbgn · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
MILLTHORPE
Millthorpe Mouthful: a progressive tasting
A Wine Festival stroll through Millthorpe village: 12 local wines across Angullong Wines, Slow Wine Co and Tamburlaine Organic Wines, each matched with canapés from Tonic, Slow Wine Co Tapas and The Old Mill Cafe.
When Saturday 17 October 2026; three sessions: 11am to 3:15pm, 12:45pm to 5pm, or 2:30pm to 6:45pm
Cost From $165 (all wine and food included)
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
For couples: 5 date ideas in Orange
The old woolshed cellar door at Heifer Station. Photo: Floodstreet · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
BORENORE
A private vineyard picnic at Heifer Station
Choose a bottle at the old woolshed cellar door, then drive a buggy to a secluded paddock picnic spot with vineyard views, a fire pit when the weather allows, and a hamper of cured meats, bread, cheese, preserves and olives.
When Two hours; book a date online; guests 18+ only
Cost $150 each
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
ORANGE
Tasting and a picnic at Brangayne
A family vineyard on Pinnacle Road, an orchard since the 1930s, where a relaxed seated tasting runs through up to nine wines. Bring your own picnic afterwards and linger over the vineyard views.
When Tuesday to Friday 11am to 4pm; Saturday 11am to 5pm; Sunday 11am to 4pm; Monday by appointment. Bookings recommended on weekends
Cost Tasting $10 each, paid at the end
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
BORENORE
Red wines with the winemaker at Hoosegg
At the Koomooloo vineyard, winemaker Philip Shaw pours Hoosegg's current and museum red wines himself, looking out over the vines to Mount Canobolas.
When By appointment; book online
Cost $50 each; half refunded if you buy six bottles or more
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
ORANGE
A stroll through Orange Botanic Gardens
Seventeen hectares of rolling native and exotic plantings, opened in 1988, with views across the district. Walk the paths and bring a picnic.
When Every day, 7:30am until dusk
Cost Free
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Orange Regional Museum, beside the gallery on Byng Street. Photo: Shkuru Afshar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
ORANGE
A free afternoon at the gallery and museum
Side by side on Byng Street, the Orange Regional Gallery shows changing art exhibitions and the Orange Regional Museum tells the Central West's story. Both are free; the Groundstone Cafe is at the gallery.
When Gallery every day 10am to 4pm; museum every day 9am to 4pm (gallery closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday; museum closed Christmas Day)
Cost Free
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Views and climbs: 4 date ideas in Orange
Looking out over the plains from the Mount Canobolas summit. Photo: MDRX · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
CANOBOLAS
Drive up to the Mount Canobolas summit
At nearly 1.4km, the summit is the highest point in central-west NSW, 18km from Orange, with views over farmland, vineyards and far-off mountains. Look for the Aboriginal artwork set into the ground; the Wiradjuri hold the place significant.
When Any day (the park may close in bad weather or high fire danger)
Cost Free
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
CANOBOLAS
The Federal Falls loop on Mount Canobolas
A 4km loop from Federal Falls campground through snow gum forest and past huge rock faces, down to the waterfall. Most of it is easy; the last stretch to the falls is very steep, with a rail.
When Any day; allow 1 to 2 hours (roads may close when it snows)
Cost Free
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Volcanic rock among the old gums near Towac Peak. Photo: Joy Engelman · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
CANOBOLAS
A short climb to Towac Peak
A 1.7km return walk past old eucalypts and rare lichen on volcanic rock to Towac Peak, with a panoramic view over Mount Canobolas and the Orange countryside. The Towac picnic area is just along the road.
When Any day; allow 15 to 30 minutes
Cost Free
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
The limestone arch at Borenore's Arch Cave. Photo: Mountain Ash · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
BORENORE
Into Arch Cave at Borenore
An easy 0.7km loop from the Borenore picnic area over a footbridge to Arch Cave, where stalactites, stalagmites and columns fill a cool cavern. Bring a torch and sturdy shoes.
When Every day, 9am to 7pm; allow 15 to 30 minutes (avoid when rain is forecast)
Cost Free
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Shows and music: 2 date ideas in Orange
The Orange Civic Theatre on Byng Street. Photo: Shkuru Afshar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
ORANGE
A show at the Orange Civic Theatre
The city's theatre on Byng Street hosts touring acrobatics, music, comedy and the local Orange Theatre Company's musicals. Pick a night from the program and make an evening of it.
When Evening and some matinee shows; dates on the program
Cost Ticketed; prices on each show's page
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Summer Street, one of the central streets Zest Fest takes over. Photo: Maksym Kozlenko · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
ORANGE
Zest Fest street party
Orange's free spring street party takes over the central streets and Robertson Park with contemporary music from the region, national headline acts, and local food, bars and wineries. Bring a picnic rug.
When Saturday 14 November 2026, 3pm to 10pm
Cost Free
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
On the water: 1 date ideas in Orange
Lake Canobolas and its dam-wall walkway. Photo: Aoujwt · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
NASHDALE
Walk around Lake Canobolas
At the foot of Mount Canobolas, a trail circles the lake to its headwaters, and the walkway across the dam wall looks over the water to the mountain. Watch for waterbirds; a platypus is sometimes seen surfacing.
When Every day, early morning to dusk
Cost Free
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Make something: 1 date ideas in Orange
NASHDALE
Blend your own red with Dindima's winemaker
For one Wine Festival afternoon, Dindima’s head winemaker helps you build your own red blend from barrel-aged Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot. Finish over a charcuterie board and a glass of their red, and take home a 750ml bottle of your blend.
When Saturday 17 October 2026, 1:30pm to 4pm
Cost $116 each
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Can't decide? Let the deck pick your Orange date
Stuck for date night ideas, or for things to do together at the weekend? Instead of scrolling lists, let the deck deal you one date idea at a time. Swipe right on the ones you like, left on the ones you don't, and within a few minutes you have a shortlist to choose from, or just take the first one you both said yes to.
How it works
Swipe to decide. Each card is one date: what to do, where it is, when it's on and what it costs. Swipe right (or tap Save) to keep it, left (or Skip) to see the next.
Share it with your date. Share sends a link that opens the deck on the same card, so the other person can say yes too.
Keep the ones you like. Saved ideas stay under the deck and on the map. Sign in and they're kept in My Places on every device.
Filter by the kind of date. Food and drink, shows and music, on the water, views and climbs, making something together, or ideas for couples.
Where the date ideas come from
Every idea of ours names a real place and was checked on its official website: what it is, when it's on and what it costs, with a link to that website and the date it was checked. Ideas with an end date leave the deck once they finish. Photos come from Wikimedia Commons and are credited on each card. Mixed in are bookable tours and experiences, clearly marked, with today's prices.
Questions
Can it pick a date for us?
Yes. Swipe until one appeals, or save a few and choose between them. For a single answer, the date wheel picks one at random.
Is it free?
Yes. Many of the ideas are free too: walks, lookouts, galleries, markets and swims.
Do we need an account?
No. Saves stay in your browser; sign in only if you want them on other devices.
Date ideas in other cities
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Every idea links to the place’s own website and was checked there on the date shown; times and prices change, so check before you go. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.