Narrabri to Orange road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops

Road trip attractions on the 408km Narrabri to Orange drive itinerary include Coonabarabran, Dubbo and Wellington.

Planning a Narrabri to Orange road trip

The drive from Narrabri to Orange connects a surprisingly interesting space research town with one of the premier wine regions in New South Wales.

To book Narrabri accommodation, head here

Orange activities include gourmet picnic lunches in the vineyards and wine-tasting by trike. For the top Orange accommodation options, book here.

Use this guide to plan your perfect Narrabri to Orange road trip itinerary.

Narrabri to Orange distance and driving time

The Narrabri to Orange drive is 408km in distance, leading to a Narrabri to Orange driving time of around four hours and 48 minutes. It’s highly advisable to break this journey down into more manageable chunks, and turn it into a road trip if at all possible.

Things to do in Narrabri include the Narrabri Old Gaol and Museum and the Australia Telescope Compact Array.

If you’d prefer to stay the night here, Narrabri accommodation options include the well-regarded Adelong Motel and the pretty central Mid Town Inn.

Narrabri to Orange road trip: Narrabri to Dubbo

The drive kicks off through the Pillaga Forests and past the Timmallallie National Park towards Coonabarabran. If stopping at this country NSW town, go hiking by day in the Warrumbungle National Park, then stargazing at night at the Milroy Observatory. You can also take a tour of Australia’s largest telescope at the Siding Spring Observatory.

For the stargazing experiences, you’re probably going to want to stay overnight.

Best Coonabarabran accommodation recommendations

The best places to stay in Coonabarabran are:

For overall quality: Acacia Motor Lodge.
For charm and homeliness: Langley Cottage B&B.
For a cheap, decent motel: Matthew Flinders Motor Inn.

From Coonabarabran to Dubbo, branch off the Newell Highway down Mendooran Road. The Coonabarabran to Dubbo drive passes mainly through the Goonoo State Conservation Area.

Good things to do in Dubbo once you arrive include the Flying Doctors visitor centre, stargazing sessions at the Dubbo Observatory and the Old Dubbo Gaol ghost tour.

You can also see the animals at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, which offers quirky overnight zoo accommodation. Book tickets online.

Dubbo accommodation picks

Australia specialist booking site Wotif offers Dubbo accommodation for from $80 a night. To search through the options, visit the top deals page.

However, the following well-reviewed Dubbo accommodation options are particularly worth considering.

For families: Discovery Parks Dubbo holiday park.
For business travellers and anyone who wants a bit more space: The Quest apartments.
For good value in a central location: Surestay Hotel.
For a high quality motel with indoor AND outdoor pools: Cattlemans Country Motor Inn.

Narrabri to Orange drive: Dubbo to Orange

From Dubbo, take the Mitchell Highway and head towards Wellington.

Wellington attractions include the Golden Era Piano Museum and the walking trails of the Mount Arthur Reserve.

Good quality, good value accommodation in Wellington include the Hermitage Hill Country Retreat and the Bridge Motel.

The quickest route from Wellington to Orange is along Burrendong Way. The top attraction on this stretch is Lake Burrendong, formed by the Burrendong Dam over the Macquarie River. The lake offers fishing, bushwalks, water sports, plus the Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum.

The turn-off for the most visitor-friendly section of the lake comes just before the village of Mumbil.

On the way into Orange, you’ll pass Mortimers Wines in March. The cellar door here is inside an old schoolhouse.

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.

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.