Melbourne to Orange road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time

Melbourne to Orange road trip: Young to Cowra

The Young to Cowra drive is along the Olympic Highway and passes through mostly uneventful agricultural land and countryside.

For much of the journey, the Young to Cowra drive runs parallel to the Dananbilla Nature Reserve, which is mainly left as it is for conservation purposes rather than recreation. However, at the southern end, you can visit the Quamby Park Farmstay and Petting Zoo. There’s a goat stud at the same site.

A similar situation applies to Bendick Murrell National Park to the west of the route. It’s a former national forest that has been converted to national park status, but hasn’t had any tourist facilities installed.

At Koorawatha, those with a 4WD vehicle can make the detour to Koorawatha Falls – created by a man-made weir. The waterfall plunges into a pool at the bottom, and it’s a good spot for a picnic. There’s a good chance of seeing wallabies here, too.

Things to do in Cowra include visiting the WWII Prisoner of War Camp, where more than 1,000 Japanese POWs broke free in 1944, and admiring the Cowra Japanese Garden.

Where to stay in Cowra

The best Cowra accommodation options are:

For four star quality in a central location: Cowra Club Services Motel.
For overall quality: Country Gardens Motor Inn.
For character and something a bit different: The Shearing Shed – Boutique Farm Stay.

The Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

Melbourne to Orange drive: Cowra to Orange

The distance from Cowra to Orange is 91km. The route leaves Cowra along the Canowindra Road, and Canowindra is the first worthwhile stop along the route. It is something of a ballooning hotspot, and Balloon Joy Flights offers hot air balloon rides over the surrounding countryside.

Canowindra is also the gateway to Nangar National Park. There are several good walking tracks here, as the hills jut out above the surrounding farmland. The 6km return Mount Nangar Walking Track offers a steep climb surrounded by wildflowers, and the even tougher 8km return Mount Murga Walking Track tends to bestow plenty of adorable wildlife encounters.

The only other town before you reach Orange is Cargo. Here, you can go for a beer at the Cargo Inn.

Five memorable experiences to book in Orange

Private wine-tasting tour – on board a rather cool-looking trike.
Sparkling wine masterclass – with vineyard tour and three course lunch.
Helicopter tour to a top winery – with wine-tasting.
Private picnic in the vineyard – with wine included.
Half day foodie tours – taste the best the region has to offer.

On the way into Orange, however, you will pass the walking trails of the Glenwood State Forest and several Orange region wineries. These include Stockman’s Ridge, Printhie Wines and Rowlee Wines.

Things to do in Orange include walking on Mount Canobolas, ambling along the Orange Heritage Trail and visiting the Botanic Gardens. You can also book on a half day foodie tour.