Planning a getaway to Orange and looking for things to do with the kids while you’re there? You’re in luck! Orange has lots of fun to offer families. From kid-friendly dining, an adventure playground, and an aquatic centre, there are also lots of beautiful mountains, lakes, caves, and nearby villages where you can explore.
If you’ve not yet booked your accommodation, be sure to take a look at the fabulous options in our Orange Accommodation Guide for some stunning houses in the countryside or cottages in the town centre.
- Orange Adventure Playground
- Orange Botanic Gardens
- Cook Park
- Orange Regional Museum
- Orange Aquatic Centre
- Orange Farmers Market
- Mount Canobolas
- Lake Canobolas
- Borenore Caves
- Eating Out in Orange
- Wine Tasting
- Visit Millthorpe
Parks & Playgrounds in Orange
Orange Adventure Playground
The Orange Adventure Playground is a fun-loving oasis for all kids, including those with special needs. There’s plenty of options for climbing, swinging, sliding and running with shaded seating for supervising parents. This community built playground includes many delightful themed constructions including a farm tractor, rock wall, tree house and a rocket ship. There are also barbecues, picnic shelters and a bicycle road-safety course.
The picturesque Orange Botanic Gardens are right next door too, for some extending walks and bird watching.
NOTE: Currently closed for redevelopment, due to finish late 2024.
- Address: Yellow Box Way, Orange
- More details.
Orange Botanic Gardens
You’ll find the beautiful Orange Botanic Gardens beside the Adventure Playground. Set across 17 hectares, these gardens feature an impressive native and exotic plant collection. Enjoy a family picnic, relaxing stroll, bird watching, or simply relaxing and soaking up the wonderful scenery and district views.
- Address: 1 Yellow Box Way, Orange
- Open: 7.30am – dusk. Free entry
- Orange Botanic Gardens website
Cook Park
Enjoy the ducks and a play at Cook Park
Kids (and big kids!) will love a visit to Cook Park, 4.5 hectares of parkland in the heart of Orange. Built alongside Summer Street, the park embodies the seasonal colours of Orange. Cook Park was laid out in a traditional Victorian design with straight paths and rows of trees, and much of the original design is still in place. You’ll find beautiful trees, a pond, some play equipment, and a rotunda where bands can be heard.
- Address: 24 Summer Street, Orange
- Cook Park website
Attractions
Orange Regional Museum
The Orange Regional Museum is perfect for kids! You’ll discover exhibitions on a variety of themes including, settlement of the region, mining, the built environment, agriculture, migration and significant events and individuals from the local area. They also hold plenty of fun activities for kids during the school holidays.
- Address: 151 Byng Street, Orange
- Opening Hours: 9am-4pm daily
- Orange Regional Museum website
Orange Aquatic Centre
Kids can swim all year round at the indoor Orange Aquatic Centre. It features a heated outdoor 50-metre pool, an indoor 25-metre pool (heated to a balmy 28 degrees all year round), a heated children’s leisure pool with water features, a diving pool with two diving boards, and a 10-metre tower. It’s fun to visit any time of year!
- Address: Corner of Hill & Warrendine Streets, Orange
- Orange Aquatic Centre website
Orange Farmers Market
Pick up fresh produce and gourmet delights at the Orange Farmers Markets
On the second Saturday of the month, head to the Orange Farmers Markets for gourmet delights and tastings. Get there early, as the good stuff does sell out! Entry is a gold coin donation to Rotary Club.
- When: 2nd Saturday of the month, 8.30am-12pm
- Address: Naylor Pavilion, Orange Showground, Leeds Parade, Orange
- Orange Farmers Market website
Natural Attractions
Mount Canobolas
Bushwalk to this beautiful waterfall at Mount Canobolas
Drive to the Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area for sweeping views of the Central West and beautiful walks. Along the way, you’ll pass cafes, vineyards, and fruit picking places. Mount Canobolas is 1,395 metres high, and you might see snow in winter! This is a ‘must visit’ with the kids!
The Federal Falls Walk is great for kids who enjoy bushwalking. It’s 4 km and takes 1-2 hours. It’s mostly easy but can be challenging in sections. The reward is a beautiful waterfall.
Lake Canobolas
Lake Canobolas, Orange
Visiting Lake Canobolas is a must-do with kids when in Orange. Situated near the foot of Mount Canobolas lies Lake Canobolas, a beautiful, tranquil lake that supports a range of activities with the changing of the seasons—like cycling, sailing, canoeing, walking, swimming, triathlons, and dragon boating. Kids will love the Apex Adventure Playground on the eastern bank, and you can also grab a bite of lunch from the Lakehouse kiosk.
It takes about 30 minutes to stroll around the lake. On a hot day you can swim in the lake (but there are a few weeds!).
- Address: 87 Lake Canobolas Road, Nashdale
Borenore Caves
Verandah Cave
A memorable thing to do with kids in Orange is a visit to the Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve. After a picnic or barbecue lunch, explore the reserve’s walking tracks and ancient caves. If you’re heading out to Heifer Station for wine tasting, be sure to stop by the Borenore Caves (Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve) along the way.
- Arch Cave – this is the closest and only a short walk.
- Verandah Cave – Take the easy walk from Borenore picnic area to Verandah Cave, where you can explore its limestone outcrops and pools of water in Borenore Karst Reserve. 7km return.
- Tunnel Cave – You’ll pass this on the way to Verandah Cave
Warning: Pack a torch (even during the day!) as it can be very dark and there are some deep holes.
Kid-Friendly Eating Out in Orange
The Robin Hood Hotel
The Robin Hood Hotel kids playground
The Robin Hood Bistro offers modern Australian cuisine with home-style favourites, exclusive house dishes, premium steaks, fresh seafood, gourmet pizzas, delicious house-made desserts and plenty more to please any appetite.
It features a fully enclosed indoor playground (with retractable doors)—a kids’ paradise with slides, tunnels, and plenty of exciting things to do. The playground is in a clear but soundproof enclosure, so you can watch them play but don’t hear the shrieks of delight!
- Address: 30 Burrendong Way, Orange
- Website: robinhoodhotelorange.com.au
The Ophir Hotel
The Ophir Hotel kids playground
The Ophir Hotel is a relaxed, family-friendly pub, bar, and restaurant in Orange that is completely set up for families. It offers a range of kid-friendly amenities, including a giant playground for kids to burn some energy while they wait for their food. Inside, you will find books, toys, and colouring-in kits to keep little hands busy. There’s also a parents’ room and plenty of pram access. There’s even a delicious kids’ menu with great choices they will love.
- Address: 84 Glenroi Ave, Orange
- Website: ophirhotel.com.au
The Greenhouse of Orange
Looking for family-friendly dining in Orange? The Greenhouse of Orange is located on the rooftop of the Orange Ex-Services’ Club, in the heart of Orange. It’s a modern dining option with a large play area for kids. Tick! It’s open daily for lunch and dinner and breakfast on Sunday! Or just enjoy a coffee or cocktail. There’s a Pizza Bar and Street Food Kitchen.
- Address: 231-243 Anson St, Orange
- The Greenhouse website
The Agrestic Grocer
The Agrestic Grocer for dining or groceries
An old orchard shed renovated as a cafe and local produce shop. Great rustic setting but don’t expect quiet! Can get busy so book if you can or take a punt (KF). They also have live music some nights, with delicious food with ingredients sourced locally.
- Address: 426 Molong Road (Mitchell Highway) Orange
- The Agrestic Grocer website
Best coffee in Orange
Byng Street Cafe
Byng Street Cafe serves breakfast and lunch every day of the week, and dinner four nights a week. Since opening Byng Street in 2011, they have opened new venues in key locations like Orange Health Service, The Base in the DPI building, and Dubbo Hospital. Their service philosophy is to make our customers want to come back repeatedly by exceeding expectations and providing exceptional service every time. They offer a memorable experience while serving excellent food and coffee.
- Address: 47 Byng St, Orange
- Website: byngstreet.com.au
Factory Espresso
Possibly the best coffee in Orange! You can also eat in. It gets great reviews! Kids will love the cute hot chocolates in bear glasses. Bookings are not required.
- Address: 135 Kite Street, Orange
- Find Factory Espresso on Facebook
YoYoba Frozen Yoghurt Bar
If you love frozen yoghurt, then you’ll love this Frozen Yoghurt Bar! Perfect for a healthy(ish) morning or afternoon treat. There’s usually six flavours to choose from, and you can pick your own toppings.
- Address: 190 Anson St, Orange
- YoYoba website
More cafes, bars & restaurants around Orange…
- Lolli Redini – if you have time to enjoy a night without the kids, or have older kids who might be up for a bit of fine dining, Lolli Redini is the elegant locale for seasonal, thoughtfully sourced Italian & French cuisine, plus wine & cocktails.
- Anything Grows – nursery and cafe, cute courtyard to sit in if it’s opened again). If not, grab a takeaway and wander to Cook Park across the road.
- Racine Bakery – a little hole-in-the-wall takeaway place that makes the best croissants and sourdough
- Coffee by Omar and Factory Espresso are great cafes!
- Ferment Wine Bar
- Mr Lim’s for relaxed, yum food, karaoke mic gets passed around at 9pm on a Friday & Saturday night
- Charred
- Spilt Milk – really good gelato with seasonal produce. If the kids deserve a treat, the honeycomb gelato here is out of this world!
- Fiorinis (near Nashdale) – BYO rustic Italian place run by a great Italian couple
Best Family-Friendly Wine Tasting around Orange
Heifer Station
Heifer Station Winery is one of the most child-friendly wineries in the Orange region. It features a petting zoo and farm and lots of open space for the kids to explore! Heifer Station Vineyard is located on the volcanic basalt slopes of Mt. Canobolas.
Heifer Station vineyard enjoys a near-perfect balance of elevation and sunshine, perfect for growing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Merlot and Shiraz. Be sure to book your one-hour tasting in advance (and order the incredible cheese platter too!).
- Address: 1034 The Escort Way, Borenore, NSW 2800
- Website: heiferstation.com
Mortimer’s Wines Schoolhouse Cellar Door
The playground at Mortimer’s Wines
The heritage-listed (1866) March Public Schoolhouse is the home of Mortimer’s Family Wines Cellar Door. Peter and his family will likely serve their award-winning wines in the beautiful schoolhouse setting. Enjoy the summer in the sunshine of the garden courtyard or winter nestled in front of the schoolhouse fireplace. They have an extensive range of quality cool-climate wines to enjoy, with delicious cheese platters available. You’ll often find local artists performing at Mortimer’s cellar door for an afternoon of food, wine, live music, and a playground for the kids.
- Address: 780 Burrendong Way, Orange
- Website: mortimerswines.com.au
Plus check out…
- Swinging Bridge, 710 The Escort Way, Orange
- Borrodell Vineyard, 298 Lake Canobolas Rd, Orange
- Philip Shaw Wines, 100 Shiralee Rd, Orange
- Angullong Vineyard Cellar Door, Cnr Park & Victoria Streets, Millthorpe
Visit Millthorpe
Escape to the delights of Millthorpe, a beautiful heritage-listed village located in the Orange Wine Region. Millthorpe is a step back to the 1900s with a contemporary edge. Cobbled, bluestone-lined streets border relatively unchanged 19th century buildings, many now housing fine dining restaurants, arts and antiques, a museum, boutique shops, hotels, wine tasting and or boutique accommodation.
Playground
There’s a huge playground, oval and skate park just on the edge of Millthorpe (as it’s such a small village, it’s just a 5 minute leisurely stroll from the centre). Hours of outdoor fun, guaranteed, for toddlers through to teens!
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- Millthorpe Playground
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- Millthorpe Playground
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- Millthorpe Oval
Old Mill Cafe
Brunch or lunch at the Old Mill Cafe, where you’ll discover a delicious range of cakes and treats. Their signature lunch dish is a Beef & Shiraz Pie! Light meals with light pricing. Their outside garden is lovely in nice weather. Bookings almost essential on weekends unless you want to wait as it gets very busy.
- Address: 12 Pym Street, Millthorpe
- Old Mill Cafe website
Millthorpe Chocolate Cafe
Millthorpe Chocolate Cafe
Love Chocolates? Then you’ll love the Millthorpe Chocolate Cafe at the old Railway Station. Sit down and enjoy a cup of REAL hot chocolate (or coffee, if you prefer), pastries, cakes, ice cream or hand-made chocolates from the finest Belgian Chocolate. Or go all out with a High Tea!
- Address: 1 Station Place, Millthorpe
- Open: Thursday – Sunday, 8.30am-5pm
- Millthorpe Chocolate Facebook
Millthorpe Hotel
Want a relaxed meal in a pub? Millthorpe Hotel is located in the heritage town of Millthorpe and provides an establishment where you can relax, enjoy a great meal and have a drink. Head to The Railway Hotel (Thu-Sun) next to the Millthorpe railway station – you need to book Fri/Sat nights as it’s popular with the locals for steaks and burgers. Kid friendly!
- Address: 20 Elliot Street, Millthorpe
- Find Millthorpe Hotel on Facebook
Tonic
If you’re looking for a fine dining experience (and have someone to look after the kids), Tonic is a must-dine! It’s both an icon and an asset to the quaint village of Millthorpe. Renowned Chef Tony Worland and his family established Tonic in 2003 with a view to provide a level of fine dining experienced only in our major cities. The vast menu centres around an array of fresh local produce, paired with a list of local award winning wines. Whether it is for a special occasion, or Saturday dinner, Tonic prides itself on delivering a level of service that will have you savouring every mouthful. Bookings essential.
- Address: Corner of Pym and Victoria Street, Millthorpe
- Open: Thursday, Friday & Saturday for Dinner | Saturday & Sunday for Lunch
- Tonic website
