Lachlan River

Cowra NSW 2794 (Pop 9 500)
Pic: Lachlan River at Cowra

Cowra is located in Central NSW 310 km west of Sydney on the Lachlan River and at the junction of the Mid Western & Olympic Hwys. Original inhabitants were the Wiradjuri Aborigines and first white settlers arrived in 1831. The Cowra breakout (1944) in which Japanese POW’s escaped from a local internment camp, has become a large part of the town’s identity. Main industries today include livestock, vineyards, tourism and vegetable growing & processing. Cowra markets 3^rd Sat each month. Festival of International Understanding (Mar), Picnic Races (July), Sakura Matsuri (Oct), Chardonnay Festival (Nov) , Cowra Food & Wine Festival (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Cowra Historic Walk features architecture from the Federation, Colonial and Victorian eras with the town’s first hotel and its oldest home. Japanese Garden, Bellevue Hill Reserve magnificent 5 ha garden opened in 1979 symbolising the historic ties between Cowra and Japan. There are over 113 species of flora including water lilies, cherry trees, wisteria, chrysanthemums, magnolia and Australian natives and over 120 bird species in the garden. The cultural centre houses a display of exquisite Japanese artworks and the traditional tea house and bonsai house are not to be missed. Australia’s World Peace Bell, Darling St replica of the original in the United Nations Building in New York that the United Nations bestowed upon Cowra to foster peace and international understanding brought about by local efforts.  It is rung each year during the annual Festival of Understanding (which features a different guest nation each year) held in March. Coleman's Country Corner, cnr Mulyan & Cooyal Sts country music museum open (10am-5pm) daily. POW Camp Sakura Ave leads to the site of the former camp.

Nearby:
Cowra Museum, Mid Western Hwy (4 km east) interactive war, rural and rail museum with over 8 000 exhibits including one of the country's largest operating model railways. Open (9am-5pm) daily. Conimbla NP (9 kms west) one of the ‘bush islands’ of the central west with an expanse of forest surrounded by grazing lands. Spectacular views, birdlife, wildflowers and bushwalking.  Darbys Falls Observatory (25 km s-e) open every night (weather permitting) from (7.00 pm-10pm) winter and (8.30 pm-11pm) summer. Croote Cottage, convict built in 1827, this 4 roomed cottage is one of Australia’s oldest surviving residences.
 

Accommodation:
Cowra has 9 motels, 7 hotels and 3 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Olympic Park, Mid Western Hwy. Tel (02) 6342 4333 or 1800 266 173.

Airport:
Cowra Aerodrome (CWT) Airport Rd just off  Mid Western Hwy &  Lachlan Valley Way .Tel (02) 6341 1616. (4.5 km west).

Hospital:
Cowra District Hospital, 64 Liverpool St. Tel (02) 6340 2300 and 6342 2899.