Orange is a city in New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the
Mitchell Highway, 260 kilometres West of
Sydney at an altitude of 862 metres. Key industries include agriculture, mining, health
services and education. A significant nearby landmark is
Mount Canobolas; at an altitude of 1,395 metres it gives commanding
views of the district.
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In the late 1820s surveyor J. B. Richards worked on a survey of the Macquarie River below
Bathurst and also of the road to
Wellington. On a plan dated 1829, he indicated a village reserve, in the parish of
Orange
Legal occupation by graziers began late in 1829, and tiny settlements grew up on the properties and in connection with the road. In 1844 surveyor Davidson was sent to
check on encroachments onto the land reserved for a village, and to advise on the location for a township; the choice being Frederick's Valley, Pretty Plains or Blackman's Swamp.
Blackman's Swamp was decided upon and proclaimed a village and named
Orange by Major Thomas
Mitchell in 1846 in honour of Prince William of
Orange. At nearby Ophir the first payable discovery of gold in Australia was made in 1851 which led to the Australian gold rush. Subsequent discoveries of gold in nearby areas led to the establishment of
Orange as a central trading centre for the gold. This is contrary to the popular belief that gold was first discovered close to the nearby regional town of
Bathurst.
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The growth of
Orange continued as the conditions were
well suited for agriculture, and in 1860 it was proclaimed a municipality. The railway from
Sydney reached
Orange in 1877. In 1946, 100 years after first being established as a village,
Orange was proclaimed a city.
Orange is a
well-known fruit growing district, and produces apples, pears, and many stone fruits such as cherries, peaches, apricots and plums. In recent years, a large number of vineyards have been planted in the area for a rapidly expanding wine production industry. The growth of this wine industry, coupled with the further development of
Orange as a gourmet food capital, has ensured
Orange's status as something of a tourism capital.
The first Australian Touring Car Championship, known today as V8 Supercar Championship Series, was held at the Gnoo Blas circuit in 1960. The circuit was opened in January 1953. The circuit was run by former Mount Panorama Circuit organising club, the Australian Sporting Car Club.
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Other industries include Cattle breeding studs in the rural areas around the City.
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Cadia gold
mine is a large open cut gold and copper
mine located about 20 kilometres south of
Orange. The
mine has been developed throughout the 1990s and is a major employer in the region with an expected lifespan of several decades. Cadia is the second largest open cut
mine in Australia after the Super Pit at Kalgoorlie.
.