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At 1395 metres above sea level, Mount Canobolas is often snowcapped in winter. There are walking trails, waterfalls, lookouts and picnic spots making it an ideal place to enjoy the relaxed beauty of the area. A terrific view is seen from the summit stretching for miles.


There is also an abundance of wildlife around the Mountain with black tail wallabies, many varieties of birds and wombats. Lake Canobolas is located at the base of Mount Canobolas and provides a great picnic spot and swimming hole.

Ophir Reserve is the site of the first payable gold discovery in Australia. A settlement was developed at Ophir in the gold rush of the early to mid 1850s with hotels, stores and blacksmiths. The exact population of Ophir is not known, although estimates suggest there may have been around 2000 diggers on the Ophir field at any given time.

Newcrest has established a mine at Cadia, indicating there is gold yet to be found in the Orange area!

At 25 kms from the City of Orange, Cadia Hill is being developed as an open cut gold and copper mine. Gold production will place the Cadia project as the largest in New South Wales. Future production could lift the Cadia Mine to second in Australia.

While it is easy to see the vast riches above the ground, hidden away beneath the soils are other riches—minerals. From the 1850s to the present day mining has played a big role in the region’s development. Gold is the major player but copper, iron ore and marble are also contributors.

Another underground resource with a huge potential is fossils with a big find at Canowindra attracting worldwide attention. Australia’s first payable gold was first discovered at Ophir in April, 1851, and about the same time copper was mined at Copper Hill, near Molong and, Byng.

Of many sites, including Junction Reefs, Cargo, Cadia and Stuart Town, Ophir is most famous. As well as the history and beauty, are working mines, including Gunnadoo which is open to visitors and where you can ger a good idea of old and new methods.

Modern practices will be employed at the huge new Cadia gold and copper mine south of Orange. It will be an attraction for visitors from throughout the world.

Mother nature was generous when she waved her wand over the region. The climate, topography and geography create many superb natural features which make the area unique.

From the rugged, inhospitable terrain of Ophir and the Macquarie gorge, to the alpine, forested wonderland of Mt Canobolas, to the rich river flats of Canowindra and the gently rolling wheat belt of the Cumnock/Yeoval area, there is much to see and many area to explore.

At 1397 metres, the landscape and climate is dominated by Mt Canobolas for which the region is known around the world. The mountain, often snowcapped in winter, is the highest point between the Blue Mountains and the Indian Ocean. There are waterfalls, walking tracks, scenic drives, lookouts and picnic spots. There is also unique flora and an abundance of wildlife, including birds, wallabies, and wombats. At the base of the mountain is Lake Canobolas which has become one of the major attractions of the district with much to offer year-round.

There are more opportunities to experience nature at its best at Borenore Caves with caves to explore, wildlife, flora , picnic area and shady trees.

It is hard to imagine Ophir was home to thousand of miners, tents and shanties more than 140 years ago as today it is an area of outstanding natural beauty and historic significance with stone water races, picnic areas, walking tracks, wildlife and pretty watercourse environment.

Throughout the area are other parks, reserves and attractions which show off nature’s finest. For water lovers there is Carcoar Dam, there is the unspoilt bushland of the Nangar Ranges, and Hervey Ranges, historic significance of Escort Rock near Eugowra, Macquarie Woods forest park east of Orange, and others.

Rich soils, reliable rainfall, four distinct seasons, expert farming methods, proximity to markets and the availability of professional assistance make the Orange, Cabonne and Blayney region one of Australia’s prime agricultural areas.

Mining has tended to come and go but agriculture has always been the backbone of the region and always will be. From the first settlers to today’s modern farming methods, this region has been the source of quality produce which has been able to reach the major market of Sydney quicker than most other parts of Australia.

It is fitting that Cabonne Council has adopted the name ‘Cabonne Country’- Australia’s Food Basket’ as its motto and that our agricultural produce is in demand. The list of produce is almost endless but includes fruit, berries, grapes, lamb, beef, pork, wool, goat, venison, trout, mushrooms, flowers, honey, dairy goods, wines, fruit juice, wheat, canola, oats, barley , mohair, rabbit and skins.

Value adding is a word of the 1990s but it has always gone hand-in-hand with agriculture from the early flour mills to today’s modern plants processing agricultural products into commodities. The Manildra Flour Mill is one of the most prominent in Australia, while we also have a Canola oil plant, abattoirs, pet food plant, cool stores, dairy factory and wineries.

These days value adding also extends to agricultural tourism which means farm tours, industry tours, field days, farmstead, bus trips and conferences, all of which occur in this region.

The relocation of the NSW Agriculture headquarters to Orange in 1990 has placed increased emphasis on agribusiness which has resulted in people from throughout Australia coming here for expert advice, field days, conferences and networking opportunities.

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