People gather at Mcnamara Street's foodstalls in Orange
On campus

Things to do in Orange when you study with Charles Sturt Uni

You’re thinking about studying at Charles Sturt Uni in Orange? Smart move. Whether you want to become a doctor, pharmacist or physiotherapist, you can’t do much better than study in New South Wales’ regional health hub. But while studying with the rural health experts is all well and good for your career – what about your downtime? Uni is supposed to be fun as well, after all. So, when you aren’t in the lecture hall or the library – what are some of the things to do in Orange?

Delegates at the Destination & Visitor Economy Conference 2022, Orange Regional Gallery, Civic Square, Orange
© Destination NSW
Group enjoying food and wine tasting on a tour with Orange Wine Tours in Orange
© Destination NSW

Things to do in Orange in the day

Hop on the bus or cycle into town from campus and take in some of the more relaxing activities Orange has to offer.

  • Enjoy the sunshine at the Orange Botanic Gardens – A beautiful park that grows a wide variety of native and exotic plants. Perfect for a picnic and close to campus.
  • Get your art fix at the Orange Regional Gallery – The gallery features well-known and up-and-coming artists. Plus, each year there’s an exhibition you can be part of!
  • Walk the heritage trail – Discover more about your new home. The heritage trail takes you on a journey through the city’s past.
  • Brunch – Orange is well known for its café culture (and great coffee). Find your new favourite spot around the town.
  • Get your sport on – If you join the Tigers AFL Club, The Thunder Touch Football team, Orange City Netball or the Orange-Waratahs hockey or soccer club, you’ll get a warm welcome. Or go on cheer on your local team.
  • Visit the Banjo Paterson Memorial Park – A park dedicated to Orange’s most famous son, Australian poet and writer Banjo Paterson, who spent much of his childhood in the town.
  • Venture underground – Just a hop, skip and a jump from Orange, Borenore Caves is a great place to walk, picnic and explore the ancient rock formations.
  • Get in the festival spirit – There’s loads of events throughout the year, from F.O.O.D Week and the Winter Jazz Festival, to the Fire Festival and, a little out of town, the huge International Hot Air Balloon Challenge in Canowindra.
Orange 360 bonfire night, Orange
© Destination NSW

Things to do in Orange at night

Time to unwind after a day of study. When the sun goes down, Orange heats up!

  • Catch a gig – Head to The Greenhouse for Sunday acoustic sessions, The Lord Anson for EDM DJs, or the Victoria Hotel for alternative bands.
  • Enjoy a drink at a local bar – We love to visit Percy’s Bar & Kitchen, Union Bank Wine Bar, and The Lord Anson. Plus, the Hotel Canobolas’ legendary pub quiz is not to be missed!
  • Graze at the night markets – Held on the third Friday of every month and featuring a variety of local food, drinks, crafts and live entertainment.
  • Go bowling – Orange Tenpin Bowl offers bowling, arcade games, and pool tables.
The Three Sisters located in Katoomba NSW
The Three Sisters – Katoomba NSW

Things to do near Orange

Orange is perfectly positioned for a weekend getaway. Wilderness, quaint villages, and Sydney just three and a half hours away, if you really need a big city fix.

  • Visit Gaanha Bula (Mount Canobolas) – A dormant volcano located just outside of Orange, Gaanha Bula offers hiking trails and picnic areas. The Federal Falls walk is spectacular after a rainstorm, while the peak offers expansive views across the countryside. In the summer, go swimming, kayaking or paddle boarding at Lake Canobolas at the mountain’s base.
  • Pedal down the mountain – Opposite Lake Canobolas you’ll find eight kilometres of mountain biking trails of various grades. Plus, a skills and jump track.
  • Go to Millthorpe – A charming historic town about 20 minutes from Orange. The town features well-preserved 19th-century architecture, galleries, cafes and boutiques. The monthly Millthorpe markets are also well worth a trip.
  • Explore the Blue Mountains – Epic hikes, glorious views, ancient history and pretty mountain towns to relax in at the end of the day. Just over two hours’ drive from Orange.
  • Discover gold (history) in Ophir – the hub of previous gold rushes, in Ophir you can even walk the mining tunnels on the Bluff Trail.
Two medicine students located on Orange campus.
Three medicine students walking on a path on Orange campus.

Things to do on the Orange campus

You don’t have to head off into town or beyond to enjoy your downtime in Orange. The Charles Sturt campus, up on the hill, looking out over the farmland, has plenty on offer besides your studies.

  • Bushwalking and Outdoors Club – Explore the many wilderness trails in the area with like-minded folk, from Gaanha Bula to the Blue Mountains.
  • Oztag – Get together on the oval every Wednesday for some social sport, with a game of touch rugby.
  • Indian Cultural Society – For those with Indian heritage and those who want to find out more about the culture. Get together for everything from food to film.
  • Rural Health Positive – Orange campus is the hub for health studies. So it makes sense there’s a social club for health students too.

Orange NSW – welcome to your new home

Top-class health education. A beautiful, friendly campus. And plenty of things to do in Orange town, surrounds and campus. What more could you ask for?

Contact our team if you have any questions about studying (and living your best life) in Orange, NSW.

Banner image: People gather at Mcnamara Street’s foodstalls in Orange © Destination NSW