11 idyllic Orange caravan park and camping spots

Lara PiconeBy Lara Picone
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Temper your touring of Orange’s viticultural delights with a stay amid the great outdoors.

While wine touring may be the big drawcard for Orange and her surrounds, the region is also enrobed with naturally stunning landscapes from idyllic rolling hills planted with vineyards and orchards, to native bushlands and the impressive Gaanha bula (Mount Canobolas). Stay close to the action of Orange, but closer to the great outdoors at these beautiful campsites, cabins and caravan parks. Whether you’re all in for a barebones experience, looking for a budget stay with handy amenities or after something a little more luxe, you’ll find it in this round-up.

1. Colour City Caravan Park

For easy digs right in town, you can park it or pitch it at the Colour City Caravan Park right in the centre of things and next to the Showgrounds.

Tent sites at Colour City Caravan Park in Orange
Sleep close to nature on the camping sites.

There are unpowered and powered sites, budget and standard cabins, and a three-bedroom, self-contained heritage cottage if you’d prefer a softer entry to a budget escape.

Bring your four-legged friends and your family and settle in for a self-catered stay in the tidy park, which includes a camp kitchen, laundry, linen hire for a small fee, wi-fi and dump station.

Cabins at Colour City Caravan Park in Orange
Bed down in the cosy cabins.

Cost: unpowered sites from $15

2. Canobolas Caravan Park

The cosy and quaint 3.5-star Canobolas Caravan Park is just 2.5 kilometres from the Orange CBD, ensuring the town’s incredible dining and attractions are easily accessible. Keep it simple and opt for one of the 22 unpowered sites, level up at one of the 51 powered sites, or go (relatively) luxe in one of the 14 ensuite cabins. There are large sites that can accommodate motor homes or RVs, and you’ll also find laundry facilities, barbecue and picnic areas, dump sites, gas bottle exchange and disabled amenities.

Cost: unpowered sites from $15

3. Blayney and Villages Caravan Park

Set an equal half-an-hour’s drive between Orange and Bathurst is quaint Blayney, making it the perfect perch for those keen to explore these two hubs of the central west. Hemmed by lush pastoral land, the quiet Blayney and Villages Caravan Park is a genuine treasure for the travel-weary. From here, explore the historic village of Millthorpe, Gaanha bula, Mount Panorama and Jenolan Caves. This dog-friendly park has unpowered and powered sites, cabins and all the usual amenities of showers, camp kitchen, wi-fi, barbecue facilities and potable water, as well as a few handy extras, such as a guest herb garden, play equipment and RV and van car wash.

Cost: unpowered sites from $30

4. Towac Valley Cabins

You’re just a 10-minute drive from Orange at the beautifully bucolic property of Towac Valley Cabins. It spoils guests with sweeping views of vineyards and orchards. With just three dwellings, the one-bedroom Country Cabin and Modern Cabin, and the two-bedroom Hamptons House, the maximum occupancy in the property is eight, so you can be sure of serenity. Each is self-contained with a fireplace for cosy relaxation and verandahs angled to absorb those rolling vistas. There are also sweet extras, such as a complimentary continental breakfast, a bottle of local wine, chocolates, snacks and a small gift.

The rooms inside Towac Valley Cabins
The self-contained cabins feature rooms designed with comfort in mind.

Cost: from $165, two-night minimum

5. Bakers Shaft Reserve

The Belubula River provides your soundtrack and backdrop at the pretty Bakers Shaft Reserve camping spot . It may be no-frills, but there are plenty of thrills to be had by immersing in nature here.

Less than 50 minutes from Orange and 20 minutes from the village of Mandurama, this peaceful spot is barebones with only a barbecue area and public toilet in terms of facilities, but if you’re handy with a rod you’ll be able to catch your own dinner. Caravans, tents, camper trailers and campervan sites are available and free.

Couple cycling by the Belubula River near Orange
Take in the beauty of your location alongside the Belubula River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Cost: free

6. Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park

For sojourns through the central west of New South Wales that can afford to take their time, spend a night or two on your way to Orange at the Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park . There are unpowered and powered sites, pet-friendly sites, caravan sites (some with ensuite), and cabins that sleep up to eight people. Kids will be well-entertained with a swimming pool and waterslide, games room, playground, indoor cinema and mini golf. As far as more rudimentary facilities go, you’ll find barbecues, a camp kitchen, a kiosk and laundry all onsite.

Cost: unpowered sites from $32

7. Nashdale Lane Glamping

If your idea of camping is a little more luxe without the less, then navigate to the elegant Nashdale Lane Glamping escape set in the vines of Nashdale Lane’s vineyard.

Aerial view of Nashdale Lane’s vineyard near Orange
Stay alongside the vines of Nashdale Lane’s vineyard. (Image: Liam Foster)

Creature comforts are all accounted for here, from the wood-burning fireplace to solid hardwood floors, four-poster bed, custom kitchen and private bath and shower.

Inside the tents at Nashdale Lane Glamping
The glamping tents feature hardwood floors and all the comforts you require. (Image: Liam Foster)

Watch dusk descend over the vines from your deck with a glass of Nashdale Lane pinot noir. The glampsites are adults-only and require a two-night stay between Friday and Sunday, so you can really sink into the tranquillity.

Couple enjoying a stay at Nashdale Lane Glamping
Soak up the serenity of your location on the deck. (Image: Destination NSW)

Cost: from $315 per night (plus cleaning and Airbnb fees)

8. Orange Showground

For those driving nomadic abodes on a tour of the state, take advantage of the one-night-free policy for self-contained RVs at the Orange Showground . Ideal for visits during a festival or for special occasions, if your RV has a toilet, shower and can function without connection to a power source, there are spaces here for you. However, tents and caravans or any non-self-contained vehicles will need to stay next door at Colour City Caravan Park .

RV sites available at the Orange Showground
Self-contained RVs can be set up at the Orange Showground.

Cost: free

9. Bissy’s Permaculture Eco Retreat

Take in the dramatic views and stillness of the bush at Bissy’s Permaculture Eco Retreat , a sprawling 39-hectare property not far from Orange. Wander the food forests and market garden of this permaculture-led farm, where wildlife, birdsong and the gentle ripple of a creek are often the only sounds. Relish the rare pleasure of isolation here, but be prepared to bring everything you need for your stay. The owners run Bissy’s Permaculture Café in Orange and you’ll be treated to one free coffee per person when you spend the night.

Bissy's Permaculture Eco Retreat near Orange
For a real escape to the bush book a stay at Bissy’s Permaculture Eco Retreat.

Cost: $20

10. Federal Falls Campground

Hikers and nature lovers will enjoy waking up to the sounds of the bush at the Federal Falls Campground in Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area near Orange. Sites are not marked and you’ll need to walk in with all your gear, including drinking water and firewood, but there are barbecue facilities and toilets to make life a little easier. It gets cold here and can snow, so be sure to bring everything you need to keep warm and cosy and check the weather before you depart as roads can be closed and gates locked if there’s snowfall.

Cost: free with a $6 booking fee

11. Macquarie Woods Campground

This little buried gem lies between Bathurst and Orange in the Vittoria State Forest, where the whisper of pine plantations and the rustle of native bush collide to create an atmosphere of serenity and peace. Your neighbours will be the native wildlife as they scamper between the yellow box, red gums and stringybark and the conifers that were planted in the 1980s as a demonstration forest. There is a picnic and camping area, public toilets, campfires, caravan and camper van access.

Cost: free

For more places to bed down near Orange, read our pick of top Airbnbs in Orange and our guide to luxury accommodation in Orange.
Lara Picone
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
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Your guide to what’s new and exciting this summer on the Central Coast

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

    Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

    Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

    1. Gosford’s glow up

    room at voco gosford
    Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

    Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

    Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

    Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

    Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

    2. Newcomers to the dining scene

    table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal
    Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

    The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

    Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

    Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

    Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

    3. New Central Coast experiences

    winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery
    Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

    It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

    Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

    Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

    For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

    4. Central Coast accommodation

    view from a cottage at Noonaweena
    Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

    There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

    Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

    In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

    To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

    5. Shopping on the Central Coast

    Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast
    Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

    For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

    Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

    Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

    Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

    For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

    Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .