Orange does so many things well. Wineries, restaurants, live music, cafes, gorgeous gardens, heritage accommodation and more, it’s everything a traveller to regional NSW wants. But can you do the Central Tableland’s town justice in just 48 hours? We went to find out – and discovered that yes – you can.
Saturday
12 noon: We arrive at the Oriana Retro Hotel Oriana Orange | Complete Luxury Escape a little over three hours after leaving Sydney’s northern beaches.
It’s one of the quirkiest yet chic places in Orange, a sprawling 48-room, 1960s motel reincarnated as a Palm Springs-style oasis by owner Espen Harbitz.
The property had sat idle for years before the affable Finn injected his inimitable vision throughout. Now the Oriana all but vibrates with happy energy, uplifting the soul with its rich velvet furniture, mementos and antiques collected mostly from Hong Kong and China where Espen long-managed hotels and restaurants.
