Orange (tourism website, second tourism website, Wikipedia entry) is a major regional centre with a population of 32,000. It has an airport (flights with Regional Express) and train station (daily trains with Countrylink) and is also accessible by Countrylink Coach from Lithgow. It has a good shopping centre with three camping stores (ph: 6362 1753, 6362 1753, 6361 4332) and two bicycle shops (ph: 6360 4040, 6362 3670). Orange has a good range accommodation outlets, including two caravan parks.

Orange to Blayney    36.8km - 150m climb - 150m descent - sealed - map
This is a relatively flat cycle along the tablelands at an altitude of around 900m. About 4km from Orange and about 1km off the route lies Gosling Creek Reservoir (see also this pdf document). The reservoir and surrounding land has recently been developed into a recreational area with picnic facilities and cycling paths, and may be reached by turning west into Bloomfield Road from Huntley Road, some 3.8km from Orange train station. Don't confuse this dam with Spring Creek Reservoir, which lies to the east of Huntley Road.

The route skirts around Orange Airport (12km from Orange with regular flights to Sydney on Rex Airlines) before passing through the village of Spring Hill (16.5km from Orange). The Spring Hill Heritage Trail explores the history of the town. Spring Hill has a pub by the railway. It is serviced daily by a Countrylink coach.

Millthorpe (tourism website, Wikipedia entry) lies 24km south of Orange, has a population of about 700 and is classified by the national trust. With historic buildings and some cobbled streets it is, in my view, one of the most picturesque villages in the region (photo). The village has a number of fine restaurants. It is serviced daily by a Countrylink coach. From Millthorpe it is a predominantly gentle downhill ride to Blayney.

Bathurst to Orange (via Ophir Road)    56.7km - 919m climb - 714m descent - 9km unsealed - map
This is the harder of the two off-highway routes between Orange and Bathurst covered in this guide. Compared with the other route (via Perthville, Newbridge, Blayney and Millthorpe), this one cuts against the grain of the country, has a long climb along an unsealed road and has no services or rest areas along the way. The unsealed stretch runs from Rock Forest (photo) to Lewis Ponds Creek. I camped just off the road at this creek in 2001. At the time it had reasonable flow, though with another eight years of drought since then water is probably not reliable. I found the countryside more interesting between Lewis Ponds Creek and Orange. A number of wineries (see, for example, this pdf brochure and the Mayfield Vineyard website) are scattered along the way and Suma Park Dam (photo) adds some colour.

Orange - Borenore - Canobolas Loop    54.0km - 976m climb - 976m descent - 7km unsealed (mostly avoidable) - map
This route constitutes a scenic day ride from Orange. Take the Forbes Road out of Orange (moderate traffic with a reasonable shoulder) for 16km before turning off to Borenore Caves. From here it is about 1km down a dirt road to the caves, where there is a picnic area and toilets (camping not permitted). Bring a headlamp to explore the caves.

After the caves, head back toward Orange for about 4km then turn right onto Borenore Lane. Borenore is the home of the Australian National Field Days, and the area boasts a number orchards and vineyards (photo). Fresh produce can often be purchased on site in season. From Borenore the route climbs steadily up the mountain and the road is unsealed for most of Cargo Mount Canobolas Road. Once Summit Road is reached, it is a sealed ride to the top of Mount Canobolas, which is the highest mountain in the region at 1395m above sea level with 360 degree views.

The Federal Falls Camping Area is located near the summit on Towac Way, approximately 500m from its intersection with Summit Road. Camping is free and picnic tables, wood barbecues and pit toilets are provided. Walking tracks lead from here to the waterfall.

From the top of the mountain, its is a sealed run down to Lake Canobolas, where activities include picnicking, swimming, cannoeing and walking. From the lake it is a relatively flat 9km cycle to Orange along sealed roads.

There are numerous variations on this route. The sealed roads in the area include Escort Way, Borenore Lane, Canobolas Rd, Lake Canobolas Rd, Pinnacle Rd, Four Mile Creek Rd and Cadia Road.