The best luxury accommodation in Orange NSW for a lavish getaway

hero media
Fine food, cool-climate wine and vineyard views for days: there’s luxury aplenty to be had in Orange and a range of accommodations to suit the mood.

From boutique hotels and heritage homes in town to vineyard villas and country cottages dotted among the region’s wineries, those looking for luxury accommodation in Orange NSW are spoilt for choice. So, whether you want to stay in town or go remote, we’ve rounded up our pick of the bunch.

1. Basalt Orange

The modern exterior of Basalt.
The modern exterior of Basalt. (Image: Monique Lovick)

Basalt Orange is the newest luxury accommodation to open in this pocket of the Central West sitting just below the extinct volcano of Gaanha bula (Mount Canobolas).

The quaint property has three private studios, each with its own personality and perspective. Chaser is for the dreamers, Drifter is for the wanderers and Yonder is a nod to our childhood adventures, where the great outdoors was our playground. 

Each studio sleeps two and features a freestanding bath with views over the owner’s cherry orchard, an internal fireplace, an outdoor firepit and a telescope for stargazing. Basalt has also partnered with local businesses to offer exclusive experiences for its guests to immerse themselves in the best of the Orange region. 

One of the bedrooms at Basalt in Orange
The cocooning bedroom is an idyllic spot to unwind.(Image: Monique Lovick)

Address: 1100 Pinnacle Rd, Canobolas
Price: From $550 per night.

2. Sona Molong

Sona Orange accommodation facade.
The charming facade belies the modern interiors. (Image: Pip Brett)

This newly opened luxury accommodation has quickly made its mark on the region. Sona is the brainchild of Pip Brett, owner of popular Orange shop JUMBLED, who transformed an old bank into this incredible accommodation that’s infused with character and history.

Located in the cute village of Molong just outside of Orange, embrace a slower pace at Sona. The bold interiors take influence from the building’s original Art Deco architecture, and it effortlessly blends its history with modern luxury. An indoor fireplace and outdoor firepit guarantee a cosy stay no matter where you while away the hours.

Gather your nine closest friends and family, because this funky stay sleeps 10.

Sona Orange accommodation
The design-led interiors make for an elevated home base. (Image: Pip Brett)

Address: 68 Bank St, Molong
Price: $1600 per night (sleeps 10).

3. The Horned Cow

The exterior of Horned Cow accommodation in Orange.
Enjoy a luxury escape you won’t forget.

If a secluded farm stay is your cup of tea, look no further than The Horned Cow in Lucknow, on the outskirts of Orange. The five-bedroom house is blessed with views of the one-hectare property from all angles, and the rural chic interiors combined with innovative amenities (hello Smeg) make this a luxury stay to remember.

Don’t be afraid to brace an Orange winter; The Horned Cow has zoned heating, a fireplace, an outdoor firepit and underfloor heating in the bathrooms is a special touch. Private chefs are available if the thought of cooking ruins your holiday buzz.

Horned Cow accommodation in Orange
Enjoy bucolic views from the comfort of your sofa.

Address: 4646 Mitchell Highway, Lucknow
Price: From $750 per night (sleeps 10).

4. Ultimate Wine Escape at Rowlee

Rowlee Orange accommodation
Spend a peaceful afternoon on the verandah. (Image: Pauline Morrissey)

Rowlee Wines in Nashdale is an Orange winery making the most of its idyllic setting by offering superlative onsite accommodation. The Ultimate Wine Escape at Rowlee is a two-night stay in a private, luxury guesthouse surrounded by established vines and gardens and overlooking a croquet court, no less. Sleek but cosy, it has a master bedroom with a large and indulgent ensuite complete with underfloor heating and a freestanding stone bathtub.

There are further designer touches throughout – from the Ralph Lauren couch made for sinking straight into, to the 1200 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and feather pillows. A larder is packed full of food and beverages including a bottle of Rowlee wine – enjoy it on the verandah on a sunny afternoon.

Rowlee accommodation in Orange
Experience true relaxation in the freestanding bath. (Image: Pauline Morrissey)

Address: 19 Lake Canobolas Road, Nashdale
Price: $795 per person for two nights (sleeps 1-2).

5. Yallungah Boutique Hotel

Yallungah Boutique Hotel exterior in Orange NSW
Yallungah Boutique Hotel blends the city’s rich history with its contemporary edge.

Stay at this design-driven boutique hotel in the heart of Orange for an experience that blends the best of the city’s rich history with its contemporary edge. This upscale offering is comprised of a beautifully restored three-bedroom homestead juxtaposed with a bold and colourful 19-room modern wing.

The signature room, The Yallungah Suite, in the heritage wing, is all light and charm and tonic tones of blue and coral. Embodying the building’s strong sense of place, it has a sumptuous king-size bed and statement headboard, fireplace, separate lounge area and large private balcony overlooking the garden.

A two-course à la carte breakfast of local produce is served downstairs each morning in the Yallungah Dining Room.

Yallungah Boutique Hotel Yallungah Suite in Orange NSW
The Yallungah Suite is light-filled and charming.

Address: 62 Byng St, Orange
Price: From $360 per night.

6. Lakeview Luxury Retreat

Purpose-built as a couples’ retreat, Lakeview Luxury Retreat is all about providing guests with the space to relax and reconnect, and the means to pamper and indulge themselves. It features three award-winning, secluded and eco-friendly penthouse villas spread across a tranquil bush setting in the Canobolas Valley, slightly south-west of Orange.

The living area at Lakeview Luxury Retreat
The spacious open-plan living and dining area.

Each villa is supplied with a generous gourmet food hamper packed with local fare, large picture windows for taking in the scenery (and kangaroo-spotting), a deep tub for soaking in and underfloor bathroom heating.

Stay in the Emerald Gem Villa for utmost seclusion and privacy or the Natures Haven Villa to keep cosy in front of a gas log fire; the Twin View Villa , meanwhile, is ideal for two couples and each bedroom has its own bathroom.

Address: 57 Stanford Rd, Canobolas
Price: From $355 per night.

7. Dragonfly Cottages

Ten minutes from Orange in the rural locale of Borenore, these two bold and contemporary cottages sit lightly on the landscape surrounded by twisted gums on the grounds of a working farm. Views of vineyards and Gaanha bula in the distance make for spectacular sunsets.

You’ll find a bottle of wine and a selection of local produce waiting for you on arrival and breakfast supplies in the morning. The Dragonfly Cottages boast king beds, thoughtful, artistic touches throughout and private decks.

The exterior of Dragonfly Orange
Stay in a modern cottage with scenic views.

Guests are invited to explore swathes of the property including its bubbling creek and cider apple orchard, with the region’s wineries an easy drive away. This is a truly peaceful place where your only neighbours are native wildlife and farm animals.

Dragonfly cottages in Orange
The soothing tones in the bedroom mimic the country surrounds.

Address: 92 Heifer Station Lane, Borenore
Price: From $325 per night.

8. Nashdale Lane Glamping

Nashdale Lane is a family-run winery and vineyard just a short drive out of town in the sleepy locale of Nashdale, a traditional fruit growing hub. The boutique property offers onsite accommodation by way of two luxury glamping cabins , Rustig (meaning quiet/calm in Dutch) and Kalmte (serenity/calm).

Nashdale Lane Glamping Orange
Get comfy in this cosy tent.

Well secluded from each other, both cabins are decked out stylishly with a four-poster queen-size bed, hardwood floors, bathroom with monsoon shower and wood fire. Details like Australian designer merino wool blankets and throws add further luxury touches and outside you’ll find a built-in deck with a sunken lounge and a barbecue. Pick up a bottle of wine after your tasting at the property’s cellar door – based in an old apple-packing shed – and enjoy it on the deck while the sun goes down over the shiraz vines and patchwork of farmland in the distance.

Nashdale Lane Glamping in Orange
The “Kalmte" tent comes with a kitchenette.

Address: 125 Nashdale Lane, Nashdale
Price: $315 per night (plus cleaning and Airbnb fees).

9. Borrodell Estate Accommodation

Set on the volcanic slopes of Gaanha bula, Borrodell Estate is one of the Orange region’s highest vineyards and home to fruit orchards, a trufferie, a great cellar door experience and a must-visit restaurant, Sister’s Rock. You’ll also find vineyard accommodation including two three-bedroom cottages, Chardonnay and Truffles, and The Cider Suites – designed as the ultimate romantic retreat for couples.

Borrodell Accommodation in Orange
The accommodation is situated on the picturesque slopes of an extinct volcano.

These split-level, sustainable and modern studio spaces have king-sized bedrooms, cosy fireplaces, heated concrete floors, spa baths and floor-to-ceiling windows that take in views across the valley. Celebrating an extra special occasion? Enhance the Borrodell experience with a pamper package to guarantee all the epicurean delights you could wish for plus an in-house masseuse.

Borrodell accommodation in Orange
Enjoy peaceful views of the rolling hills.

Address: 298 Lake Canobolas Rd, Orange
Price: From $395 per night.

10. de Russie Boutique Hotel

With 25 luxurious rooms, de Russie Boutique Hotel is set within a striking brick building on a tree-lined street in central Orange, a short stroll from the Central West city’s must-visit shops and restaurants.

Opt to spend the night in a Studio Suite , where each one opens up to a romantic Juliet balcony and some come with a spa bath in the ensuite bathroom stocked with L’Occitane amenities. Or up the ante in The Blue Room , a decadent space with a four-poster bed, velvet accents, an oversized bath and a terrace for stretching out on.

De Russie Boutique Hotel in Orange
The hotel is conveniently located just off Orange’s central business district.

Address: 72 Hill St, Orange
Price: From $269 per night.

11. Strawhouse Wines Vineyard Apartment

Strawhouse is a small, sustainable and family-run vineyard in the Orange region with boutique accommodation onsite. This one-bedroom, self-contained retreat is architect-designed and contemporary but blends into its setting among a stand of mature eucalypts. It has a bedroom with a queen bed, two armchairs and a spacious bathroom, plus books and games.

Strawhouse accommodation in Orange
Enjoy a peaceful stay at Strawhouse.

The adjacent cellar door space has a kitchen, dining/tasting table, window seats and chairs to curl up in in front of the wood fire. There’s no television or wi-fi here, encouraging you to really switch off and reconnect, but 180-degree of the Strawhouse vineyard, Gaanha bula and the Boree Creek Valley will hold your attention instead. Order a picnic hamper of local produce to enjoy on the deck and book a private wine tasting or dinner with the winemaker to make the most of the experience.

Address: 116 Boree Lane, Lidster
Price: From $225 per night.

12. Mayfield Vineyard Cottages

Check into one of the five cottages on the historic estate at Mayfield Vineyard , located just 10 kilometres from Orange and offering the ultimate in rural tranquillity. Based in a variety of interesting buildings, its cottages come in all shapes and sizes.

The Homestead sleeps 10, The Overseers Cottage sleeps six and four guests can stay in The Rose Cottage, The Garden Flat and The Settlers Cottage.

The Settlers Cottage is over a century old, built in 1886, and is one of the oldest cottages in Australia. These days the cottage is newly renovated, retaining its heritage bones but elegantly appointed with creamy, natural tones and a rustic twist. It has a north-facing, sun-soaked verandah, original polished floorboards and a gas fireplace.

Address: 954 Icely Road, Orange
Price: From $224 per night.

This article was originally written by Imogen Eveson with updates by Emily Murphy.

Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
See all articles
hero media

Where to eat, sleep and visit on Grand Pacific Drive, and beyond

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
    The ultimate road trip begins and ends on NSW’s stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

    Whales, charming villages, fine wine and stunning natural vistas: there’s a lot to love about a road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales. Winding from the Royal National Park through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven before heading inland to the Southern Highlands, this scenic drive makes for an unforgettable road trip.

    But like all great road trips, it’s not just about the drive but the stops made along the way. From incredible farm-to-plate (and grape-to-glass) dining options to unbeatable natural vistas and quaint towns with beautiful accommodation, there’s plenty to explore en route.

    Shellharbour Marina
    Spend time in Shellharbour Marina.

    Where to eat

    What is a road trip without incredible food? Whether you’re after fresh seafood, slow-cooked paddock-to-plate feasts or delicious wines, you’ll find something around every bend along Grand Pacific Drive.

    Restaurant Santino is a local Wollongong secret we can’t keep quiet any longer. With a fresh take on Italian cuisine, servings are hearty and flavours are comforting. The chitarra with blue swimmer crab, garlic, chilli, parsley and crustacean oil is a crowd favourite.

    Keep it local in Shellharbour with a menu all about fresh local produce at Relish on Addison . From South Coast oysters and blue swimmer crab linguine to crispy pork belly, surf and turf takes on an elevated meaning here.

    Kiama’s neighbourhood wine and cocktail bar, Little Betty’s , is just as good for a tasty share plate as it is for creative cocktails. The signature Grilled Octopus with burnt honey, garlic confit and sautéed Asian greens is worth a trip on its own.

    Only the best will do in Shoalhaven, where multi-award-winning Bangalay Dining uses native Australian ingredients to bring its dishes to life. Start with the Smoked trout croquette before moving on to the sautéed potato gnocchi. Don’t forget the white chocolate mousse for dessert.

    Meanwhile, the Southern Highlands are full of culinary highlights. From dining on incredibly fresh, local fare (we’re talking ingredients plucked from the team’s on-site kitchen garden or sourced through local producers) at Eschalot Restaurant in Berrima to creating gin blends at Millsheds Distillery .

    bangalay dining shoalhaven
    Taste native flavours at Bangalay Dining.

    Exploring nature

    Scenery is everything when hitting the road, and Grand Pacific Drive serves it up in spades. Drivers don’t even have to leave the car to enjoy the iconic ocean views from Seacliff Bridge (but several lookouts make it easy to stop).

    Seaside Kiama boasts stunning beaches and famous blowholes. But travellers can also swap ocean for rainforest when taking the Minnamurra Rainforest walk, culminating in a picturesque waterfall. Or soar overhead at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures .

    The scenic coastal drive along Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton.
    Cruise along the stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

    Between May and November, 30,000 whales make their way passed the South Coast between May and November. Spot them from the coastal shores or join a whale-watching cruise from Shellharbour Marina or Jervis Bay. Dive in with Woebegone Freedive .

    Shellharbour’s Killalea Regional Park is home to a traditional bush tucker and medicine walk with Aboriginal tour group, Gumaraa . Learn Indigenous healing practices and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage and wisdom of the land’s Traditional Owners.

    Wollongong is the perfect place for hikers, with the 6.5-kilometre Wodi Wodi track serving up views, settler history and a variety of landscapes in one loop. If you prefer, skip the walk and pull up at Bald Hill Lookout for expansive views south towards Wollongong (and a hang-glider or two).

    For something truly unique, join the Highland Cow experience at The Swallow’s Nest in the Southern Highlands. In a brand-new offering, get a taste of farm life and help groom and feed these gorgeous creatures.

    kiama coast walk people with dog
    Wander the Kiama Coast Walk.

    Unique experiences

    No need to choose between an adrenaline rush or a culture fix, Grand Pacific Drive serves up both.

    Soar into aviation history at Shellharbour’s HARS Aviation Museum .  Tour the museum, then join a guided walk onto the wing of the record-breaking Qantas Boeing 747 and see the significant historic aircraft up close.

    If ever there was a place to skydive, it’s in Wollongong. Dive from 15,000 feet (tandem, of course) with Sky Dive Wollongong and see the coastal beauty of this region from above.

    Shoalhaven’s Bundanon Art Museum has to be one of the most unique offerings in the country. The legacy of artist Arthur Boyd and more than just a gallery, find eco-accommodation, fine dining, award-winning architecture and community here.

    Kiama’s Crooked River Estate is about more than just delicious wine.  Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy casual food and drinks with live music at Kick Back Fridays , every week.

    Between June and August, the Southern Highlands’ Robertson attracts novice truffle hunters. Join the hunt at family-owned and operated Robertson Truffles (alternatively, you can order truffle treats online, if your sense of adventure isn’t up for it).

    Freshly dug truffles at Terra Preta Truffles, Braidwood.
    Discover hidden gems beneath the soil in the Southern Highlands. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Where to stay

    Road trips are the ultimate promotion for slow travel, encouraging visitors to take their time, enjoy the journey and stop along the way to really immerse themselves in local towns.

    Find history and elegance at Berida Hotel in the Southern Highlands. Intimately set amongst gardens, but still close to the main street of Bowral, this 1920s private residence turned boutique hotel is the perfect stay.

    Stay in one of Barranca’s private villas with views of rolling farmland overlooking the dramatic escarpment at Kangaroo Valley or be surrounded by native bushland (a short walk from the beach) in Jervis Bay.

    Speaking of beachside escapes, Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach delivers unrivalled access to Wollongong’s beaches. These serviced apartments enjoy coastal views from spacious balconies.

    For something completely different again, check in at Cicada Luxury Camping . Stay in safari-style or large bell tents, each with a private fire pit and top-notch kitchen facilities. Outside, enjoy spectacular countryside views.

    Cicada Luxury Camping
    Unwind at Cicada Luxury Camping. (Image: DNSW)

    Discover more and plan your ultimate road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive and beyond at grandpacificdrive.com.au/grand.