Estates & communities
Guide to living in Orange
Sydneysiders looking for a tree change, with all the mod-cons of a large town, should look no further than the city of Orange – located in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. This bustling township is known for its quality local produce, rolling hills and tree-lined streets.
COVID-19 sparked a surge in regional migration from Australia’s urban centres. But even before the pandemic, Sydney’s rapidly rising property prices were driving house hunters to look beyond the city limits. Regional cities, like Orange, became increasingly popular for their affordable house prices, community connectedness and proximity to good schools.
In 2020, Orange experienced a growth rate of 1.16 per cent – with a population of 38,820 (in 2020) it is the thirteenth most populous place in New South Wales. The steadily growing community, combined with city-dwellers seeking a tree-change, has contributed to the establishment of high-quality restaurants, community events and retailers – without compromising on the benefits of living in the country.
A major infrastructure development in the CBD of Orange has been underway since October 2020 – and will take place over three years. The works include building a mall in Anson Street and introducing a community square to McNamara Street. The updates will include a space for an outdoor cinema and opportunities for live music events and produce markets.
Who is buying in Orange?
Sydney families looking for a tree change and larger block sizes are flocking to Orange in their droves, enticed by the town’s culture, education, fresh produce and health facilities. The first home buyer market is also strong, with young professionals embracing flexible work practices and searching for affordable land in regional centres.
The Grace display home in Orange offers a taste of what a tree-change could be like for you and your family, offering spacious, open-plan living on one level. Clever zoning and a seamless connection with the outdoors allows enough space for your family to grow – or accommodate guests – in the future.
Schools in Orange
The area boasts 16 different schools, including eleven primary schools, three secondary schools and two combined (primary and secondary) colleges.
- James Sheahan Catholic High School
- Orange Public School
- Catherine McAuley Catholic Primary School
- Orange East Public School
- Kinross Wolaroi School
- Orange High School
- St Mary’s Primary School
- Bletchington Public School
- Bowen Public School
- Glenroi Heights Public School
- Calare Public School
- Orange Christian School
- Canobolas Rural Technology High School
- Orange Anglican Grammar School
- Canobolas Public School
- Nashdale Public School
Restaurants and leisure in Orange
Known as a fertile area for wine growing, several wineries sit among the rolling hills surrounding the township of Orange. Borrodell Estate is a fifth-generation winery, specialising in sauvignon blanc and pinot noir, with an especially spectacular view from the onsite restaurant Sister’s Rock Restaurant. Other Orange local wineries include Philip Shaw Wines, Ross Hill and Swinging Bridge Wines.
Residents of Orange are spoilt for choice of their ‘local’ with family-friendly pub the Ophir Hotel, Hotel Canobolas (for a feed and even accommodation for guests) and The Greenhouse of Orange. Weekend breakfast hotspots include Groundstone, Bills Beans East Orange or, for coffee connoisseurs, Academy Coffee.
If you’re moving to the country for the outdoor activities, then Orange is the place to be. Whether you’re looking for hiking trails, outdoor activities for the kids or mountain biking trails, the terrain around Orange has it in spades.
How to get to Orange
The city of Orange is a four-hour drive from Sydney – through the Blue Mountains. The Orange Regional Airport is also a key transport hub with QantasLink, Regional Express and Link Airways operating out of the regional centre. The airport itself is located 15kms southeast of Orange and is a 15-minute drive from the CBD.
