Blayney & Carcoar

Step back in time in beautifully preserved Blayney, a classic gold-rush town in the gorgeous Orange region of NSW. This country escape will rejuvenate you with its panoramic vineyards, boutique stores and fascinating colonial heritage. It’s also a great base to explore the historic township of Carcoar.

The Christ Anglican Church building in Blayney, Orange Area, Country NSW

Local villages

In 1867, gold was discovered in the Blayney area, and the surrounding towns enjoyed a lucrative boom that put them on the map. Today, many of the historic buildings that line the main streets in Blayney and beyond are classified by the National Trust.

Carcoar is the third oldest town west of the Blue Mountains, and home to many beautifully restored heritage buildings from between 1860 and 1890. Take a walking tour and visit Stoke Stable Museum, the town’s oldest existing building. Built by convicts in 1849, today this building is home to a fascinating museum.

Court House Museum in Carcoar, Orange Area, Country NSW

Take a scenic drive through villages like Barry, Lyndhurst, Mandurama and Neville to experience that back-in-time atmosphere. Sip in some historic ambience at classic pubs such as the Royal Hotel Mandurama and the Royal Hotel Carcoar. In Carcoar, you’ll also find Tomolly, a beautifully-curated homewares store.

Interior of Antica Australis in Carcoar, Orange Area, Country NSW

Food & wine

Blayney is a great base to explore the Orange wine region, renowned for its cool climate wines and fresh produce. Savour a wine with a taste of Italy at Antica Australis, an acclaimed one-hat restaurant in Carcoar that combines traditional recipes with local produce sourced directly from artisanal producers in the Orange region.

Friends catching up over coffee at The Village Grocer in Carcoar, Orange Area

Outdoor adventures

Fishing and boating are two of the most popular things to do in the district. The Belubula River, which flows into Carcoar Dam, is famous for golden perch, trout and Murray cod. The waterway is also popular for swimming, boating and picnicking, with barbecues on site. Enjoy beautiful views of the Belubula River and the iconic Carcoar bridge at Kurt Fearnley Park, named after the Paralympian and hometown hero.

Kurt Fearnly Park at Carcoar in Orange Area, Country NSW

Events

Enjoy popular events such as the annual Carcoar Running Cup Festival held every November, and the Carcoar Show in November. Check out the events calendar for more family fun at the Carcoar Village Fair on Australia Day and the Neville Show in November.

Getting there & where to stay

Blayney is a 30min drive southeast of Orange or 30min southwest of Bathurst. The drive from Sydney is 3h 25 min, via the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. You can catch the train direct from Sydney to Blayney, which takes just over four hours, or you can fly to Orange or Bathurst airports and rent a car. Places to stay in Blayney and Carcoar include country pubs, B&Bs, farmstays and campgrounds.

Passengers

Fly into Orange Airport

Orange Airport is 15km from the Orange town centre. Make the short trip into the city using the taxi services at the terminal or ride-sharing Uber. Alternatively, rent a car from the hire services available at the airport and explore the region at your own pace.

Qantas flies direct from Sydney to Orange four times a week and Regional Express flies direct from Sydney on weekdays. Link Airways operates direct flights from Orange to Brisbane six days a week and Orange to Melbourne four days a week.

Highlights

Plan your trip

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Events