Wagga Wagga to Orange road trip: Distance, time & best stops

Wagga Wagga to Orange drive: Cowra to Canowindra

By car, the distance from Cowra to Orange is 91km. You can expect a driving time of one hour and six minutes unless you build in a road trip stop along the way.

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.

If you’re doing a balloon tour, you’ll probably need to stay over the night before. Canowindra hotels include the centrally-located Canowindra Riverside Motel and the very highly rated Blue Jacket Motel.

Canowindra to Orange

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

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.

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.