If your idea of a great small town is picture-perfect, walkable main streets, NSW has plenty of spots that deliver in spades. Photogenic in every season, these thoroughfares are lined with cafes, shops, and local businesses, offering the perfect setting to soak in the town’s neighbourly atmosphere. One such gem that often flies under the radar is the heritage-listed village of Millthorpe. Although small in size, its resume is stacked with plenty to see and do, making it the perfect cosy getaway, even for the most winter-averse. If you’re lucky, you might even catch snow this season. Grab a jacket and gloves — here’s how to make the most of your time in this charming Central West village.
Things to do in Millthorpe this winter
A visit to Millthorpe feels like stepping back in time, with cobbled, bluestone-paved streets and beautifully preserved buildings that have barely changed since the early 1900s. Although it’s part of the thriving Orange Wine Region, Millthorpe isn’t quite a household name, and that’s exactly what makes it special. The village offers a vibrant mix of shops, warm cafes, seasonal events, and food and wine experiences, most of which are best enjoyed on foot. Surrounded by rolling countryside and manicured gardens, it’s also a great base for slow adventures and soaking up the winter sun.
First-timers exploring the village should make a beeline straight to its quaint main street, which offers a charming strip of Australian history, dotted with Victorian-era buildings, homewares stores, and inviting little cafes serving up solid coffee to go with your winter wander.
When you’ve worked up an appetite, there are plenty of stellar spots around town to refuel. Local favourite the Old Mill Cafe is the go-to for homemade cakes, quality coffee, and laid-back breakfast and lunch options. For something more refined, Tonic serves up seasonal local produce in an elegant setting, and if you’ve got a sweet tooth, don’t miss Millthorpe Sweets and Treats, an old-school lolly shop packed with nostalgic charm. Sam’s Bar and Millthorpe Providore are other recommended spots.
What else can you do?
For a dose of local history, drop into the Golden Memories Millthorpe Museum, home to eight heritage buildings filled with everything from Aboriginal artefacts to vintage tools, local inventions, and interactive displays. If you’re in the mood to shop, there’s no shortage of eclectic shops. Pick up leafy finds and homewares at Plants n Pretty Pieces, browse fashion, homewares, and accessories at Millthorpe Blue, or fill your bags with antiques and handcrafted treasures at The Bower Millthorpe.
Millthorpe sits in the heart of cool-climate wine country, making it a great base for tastings and cosy vineyard visits. Standout spots include Angullong Vineyard, Slow Wine Co, and Tamburlaine Organic Wines, while the Millthorpe Wine Stroll is a great way to sample local drops while taking in the rich history of the village along the way. Read more about Millthorpe and find accommodation options here.
Getting there
Millthorpe is an easy 3.5-hour drive from Sydney, with a scenic route that winds through the Blue Mountains. It’s also conveniently located just 20 minutes from Orange and 30 minutes from Bathurst. Prefer public transport? Intercity services stop at the heritage-listed Millthorpe Station, and there’s now a direct daily service from Sydney, which takes around 4.5 hours. Plan your travel at Transport for NSW.