Newcrest Orange Challenge

The Newcrest Orange Challenge is an annual one-day cycling event on the car-free country roads in the regional city of Orange each year.

But just because the event takes place in a serene location doesn’t mean it’s an easy ride! There are plenty of sharp, tough climbs on the roads of Orange.

Three different circuits provide different experiences, with 70km, 100km and 170km options available. The 70km ride is known as ‘The Taster’ and has an elevation of 770 metres along the way. The 100km ‘Tonne’ has 1,430 metres of climbing, while the aptly named ‘Brute’ circuit of 170km features 2,200 metres of hill work.

This challenging course has hills that seem never-ending, and many of the road surfaces are challenging as well. There are no shortcuts or easier backroads that you can take. You’ll need plenty of training beforehand to ensure it’s an enjoyable experience.

Orange is a well-known wine-growing area with a thriving wine industry. You’ll cycle past numerous vineyards and wineries, and after your ride, you’ll be able to sample some of the area’s well-known wines: Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, Riesling Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignons, and Pinot Noirs.

Getting There

Orange is about a 3-hour and 45-minute drive west of the Sydney CBD on the Great Western Highway – with bus services also available to get you there. You can catch a train to Lithgow station on the Blue Mountains line and then take a bus to Orange. Orange also has a regional airport if you need to get there quickly or are travelling further away.