Cowra, Central NSW

Cowra is a town in New South Wales, located in its Central West area. It is built on the banks of the Lachlan River.

Visitors come to Cowra to enjoy its rich history and natural surroundings. A camp for Japanese and Italian prisoners of war was established within the town during World War II and this has influenced some of the city's present landscape, with a lot of tourist attractions related to this period of the town's history. Foremost of which is the Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre, which is designed to reflect Japanese landscape. Interesting features include a bonsho or a calling bell, a temple lantern, wooden footbridges, cherry trees, and symbolically-placed rocks. There are also displays of Japanese art works, dolls, and a fossilized chrysanthemum at the Cultural Centre. And visitors should never leave the premises without looking at the Bonsai House and sample some Japanese dishes at the Chabana Restaurant. Those lucky enough to visit the garden during early October can take part in the Cherry Blossom Festival, which showcases Japanese life at its best. Organized events include elaborate tea ceremonies, demonstrations of Japanese arts and crafts, martial arts presentations, and of course, display of Japanese food. This attraction is located along Sakura Avenue.

Also along Sakura Avenue and north of the garden is the remnant of the POW camp, with a memorial cairn and monument erected at the corner of Evans Street. A cemetery for Japanese POWs was established at a ceded land along Doncaster Drive, which contains not only the remains of those who died in Cowra but all the remains of Japanese POWs who died in Australia.

Other historic attractions of the town include the Australian Hotel, its very first hotel, situated along Redfern Street. The Cowra Public School, built in 1882, and an old stone mill constructed in 1860 are another interesting structures found along Vaux Street.

For the more culture-minded, the Cowra Museums is an ideal place to visit. Located on Sydney Road, this interactive museum contains exhibits related to war, rural life, and transportation in the area.

On Civic Street is a replica of the World Peace Bell found in the United Nations Building in New York City. This replica is unique in that it symbolizes the town's efforts of promoting peace and international understanding. Nearby, on Kendal Street, is the Cowra Italy Friendship Monument, dedicated to all Italian war personnel and POWs in Australia.

The town also boasts of being a location of Aboriginal murals found at the Lachlan River Bridge.

Nature lovers will have to travel a short distance outside the town's boundaries to really enjoy the area's beauty. The Wyangala Waters State Recreation Area, accessed through Darby Falls Road, offers amenities for swimming, sailing, water skiing, and parasailing. There are also numerous accommodations to be had in the area, ranging from camping grounds, to caravan parks, to cottages, and bungalows. It is also an ideal destination for fishing enthusiasts.

At the other end of the town, accessible through the Mid Western Highway, is the Conimbla National Park, which also offers amenities for picnics and camping.

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