If you’re planning a weekend in Carcoar, Hargans Cottage is a lovely place to make your home for a few days.

Carcoar is right on your doorstep, with Millthorpe, Orange and some of my favourite little towns, cellar doors, shops and places to eat all within easy reach.

I’m often asked by guests where I would go and what I would do while staying at Hargans, so I’ve put together a few of my favourites. You certainly don’t need to fit everything in. Pick a few, leave yourself plenty of time to wander, and enjoy this beautiful part of the Central West. 🤎

Settle into Hargans Cottage

When you arrive at Hargans Cottage, there’s really nowhere you need to be.

We leave a charcuterie platter and bottle of local wine ready for you to enjoy. Sit out on the verandah and catch the last of the afternoon sun, light the outdoor fire when the evening cools down, or simply settle into the cottage for the night.

Hargans has two bedrooms, both with queen beds, and one bathroom. We keep stays to a maximum of two adults, which means you have plenty of space whether you’re coming as a couple, two friends, or for a mother-and-daughter weekend away.

If you feel like a little pampering while you’re here, you might like to book a breathwork session with my daughter Molly from Clarity Awaits, or a massage at Sage Beauty & Soul in nearby Blayney.

Coffee, cake and a wander around Carcoar

You don’t need to go far for your first coffee of the day.

The Village Grocer in Carcoar is open seven days and has a wonderful menu with a focus on local produce. Grab a coffee, find a spot to sit and perhaps catch up on the newspaper before deciding where the day will take you.

A Thousand Words Gallery is another favourite of mine. There’s beautiful art to browse, a great little espresso bar and delicious homemade cakes. Their Basque cheesecake is my favourite and perfect for morning or afternoon tea.

On a sunny day, take your coffee outside and look across the historic buildings. If you’re lucky, you might hear the church bells ringing. It always makes me feel as though I’m somewhere far away and rather special.

And of course, pop into Tomolly while you’re wandering through the village. I’m always happy to see a Hargans guest come through the door. 🤎

A morning in Millthorpe

If you’re heading towards Millthorpe, The Millthorpe Providore for coffee and, of course, a Portuguese tart is always on my agenda. Can you tell I have a sweet tooth?

While you’re there, wander through the village. You’ll find antique shops, cellar doors, the old railway station and the local museum, all within walking distance.

Millthorpe is home to three cellar doors: Angullong, Slow Wine Co, and Tamburlaine, all perfect for a relaxed tasting.

Coffee and shopping in Orange

There’s plenty to fill a day in Orange too.

For coffee, I love Byng Street Local Store, Hawkes General Store and The Good Eddy. They’re all lovely spots for an easy start to the day or an afternoon pick-me-up.

If you’re in the mood for a little shopping, make time for Jumbled and Dirty Janes before taking a wander through beautiful Cook Park.

You’ll also find The Guildary within the park, with homemade jams, cakes and chutneys to take home.

A few favourite Orange wineries

There are so many wonderful wineries and cellar doors around Orange that it would be impossible for me to list them all.

A few I often recommend are Printhie, Heifer Station, Philip Shaw and Rowlee, but there are plenty more to discover depending on what you enjoy.

Part of the fun is choosing one or two and making an afternoon of it rather than trying to fit them all in.

Where to stop for lunch

The Union Bank in Orange has long been a favourite of mine.

Their courtyard is beautiful, the share plates are delicious and there’s a fabulous selection of local wines. It’s the sort of place where lunch can quite happily stretch into the afternoon.

From there, you can wander through Orange, do a little shopping or head across to Cook Park.

Dinner at Tonic

Tonic in Millthorpe is another favourite, whether you visit for a long lunch or make an evening of it.

The five-course set menu makes it lovely for a special meal, and our dear friends own Tonic, which makes recommending it to Hargans guests even nicer.

We’re always happy to help make a reservation for you during your stay.

Take the road less travelled

If you have a little more time, there are some beautiful places to explore beyond Carcoar, Orange and Millthorpe too.

Head to Rockley for lunch at Matt Moran’s Rockley Pub, around 50 minutes from Carcoar.

Or visit Molong, about 20 minutes from Orange, and call into Molong Stores, run by the lovely Robbie.

You can also keep things very simple and stay right here in Carcoar. Have dinner at the local pub, wander back to Hargans and remember to look up.

The night sky out here is beautiful and, on a clear evening, you can see the Milky Way.

For even more ideas while you’re exploring the region, Orange360 is another great place to look.

Make Hargans Cottage your base in Carcoar

The best weekends here don’t need to be packed with plans.

Perhaps you spend one day exploring Orange and another wandering around Carcoar. Maybe you visit a cellar door, linger over lunch, find something lovely in one of the local shops and then head back to Hargans with nowhere else you need to be.

However you spend your time, we want Hargans Cottage to feel like your own little place in Carcoar while you’re here.

We’d love to have you stay. 🤎

All photography by Belinda Satterthwaite, The Shopkeeper.