7 Things To Do In Cowra, New South Wales

things to do in cowra new south wales australia

On the banks of the Lachlan River in rural New South Wales lies the town of Cowra. If you’ve made it out here already or plan to in the future, you’re going to want to know the best things to do in Cowra aren’t you?

As part of my wife and I’s jaunt in regional New South Wales in our campervan, Cowra was a town we spent some time in thanks for its location between Young and Orange; two places we stayed solely due to either looking after pets on Trusted Housesitters or working on a farm picking plums. Interestingly, the highest temperature we experienced in the entire nine months we were in Australia, was right here in Cowra; almost 43 degrees celsius. We became extremely well-acquainted with McDonalds thanks to its frozen drinks and air-con though trying to sleeping in a metal box of a campervan proved extremely difficult.

Cowra is only a small town with a population of less than 10,000 people yet has an extremely unique history that deserves to be known. I would highly recommend visiting and staying a few nights, whether at one of the many campsites or motels, and diving straight in to exploring. Let’s look at the best things to do in Cowra.

7 THINGS TO DO IN COWRA, NEW SOUTH WALES

COWRA PRISONER OF WAR CAMP

The town of Cowra, believe it or not, is mostly known thanks to its WWII Prisoner of War Camp which housed many Japanese and Italian prisoners of war. That alone isn’t enough of course for a town to be renowned for but, what comes next, is. On 5th August 1944, at 1:50am, over 1,000 Japanese prisoners launched a mass escape; the largest prisoner of war breakout in modern military history! During the attempts, 231 prisoners and 5 Australian soldiers sadly lost their lives. Of those that did manage to escape, each and every prisoner was recaptured just a week later.

Nowadays, you can visit the eerie and ghostly silent ruins of the camp with a replica guardtower and signs that help you visualise what it must have looked like during WWII. Head to Cowra’s Visitor Centre in town to see a scale model of the camp and watch an eye-opening video telling the story of the breakout.

Website

POW WATER TANK MURALS

Sadly, these weren’t completed at the time of my visit but I’m a sucker for street art and Australia’s ongoing approach to water tank/grain silo artwork. Overlooking the Cowra POW Campsite, there are two huge water tanks with murals depicting a Wiradjuri youth and the history of the POW camp.

Website

JAPANESE GARDEN & CULTURAL CENTRE

As a means of solidifying and commemerating peace and reconcilation between Japan and Australia, the Cowra Japanese Garden & Cultural Centre was built during the 1970’s and 1980’s. This is now a beautiful place to visit and is definitely one of the best things to do in Cowra. There are 12.5 acres of stunning Japanese inspired gardens including a copy of the first strolling garden built by the Japanese Shogun Tokugawa Leyasu, two lakes, waterfalls and an authentic open-air Tea house and Bonsai House. You can even feed the Koi carp in the lake! If you want to learn more about Japan, there’s a cultural centre and a gift job where you can buy Japanese goods.

Website

JAPANESE WAR CEMETERY

The only Japanese War Cemetery in Australia is right here in Cowra containing the graves of all 231 prisoners of war killed during the breakout as well as another 292 graves (total 523) of Japanese aircrew, soldiers and others who died during WWII. There is a separate war cemetery too which is the resting place for four of the Australian soliders who were killed during the breakout. This is a must-visit if you wish to pay your respects.

AUSTRALIA’S WORLD PEACE BELL

You’ll find the a world peace bell right here in Cowra in the Civic Square. Made from melted down coins from 106 member countries of the United Nations, this is apparently the only peace bell outside of a city in the world. Given the events of 1944, it is understandable that Cowra openly displays its contribution to world peace. Head to the peace bell for an opportunity to ring the bell for yourself.

LACHLAN VALLEY RAILWAY SOCIETY

In the heart of Cowra, you’ll find the Cowra Historic Railway part of the Lachlan Valley Railway Society. Celebrating the golden era of rail travel, you’re able to see many heritage steam and diesel engines and even ride aboard too. Heritage train rides run on the last Saturday and Sunday of each month (Adults $15, Children $10). If you’re feeling fancy, book a seat aboard the Scone Train where you can relax in a 1930’s lounge car and enjoy a Devonshire Tea for $15pp on the last Sunday of each month.

The heritage depot at Cowra is open Thursday to Monday, 10am to 4pm, and entry costs $10 for adults and $6 for children. There are discounts for family tickets and children under 5 are free.

Website

BELLEVUE HILL RESERVE LOOKOUT

Head to the lookout atop Bellevue Hill for the most incredible views across Cowra and rural New South Wales. Any visit to Cowra would be incomplete without taking in the view from here, especially if you get chance to enjoy a sunset. You can park at the top too which is exactly what we did as it was far too hot to walk!

WHERE NEXT?

Ok, let’s be honest, it’s taken me long enough to find the time to publish guides covering my time in Australia. Now though, the majority of them are linked below, so wherever you’re heading you’re likely to find what you need below!

VISITING PEAK HILL GOLD MINE IN NEW SOUTH WALES
HOW TO SPEND 24 HOURS IN CANBERRA
7 BRILLIANT THINGS TO DO IN YOUNG, NEW SOUTH WALES
5 INCREDIBLE THINGS TO DO IN RAINBOW BEACH, QUEENSLAND
6 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN BOWEN, QUEENSLAND
8 BEST THINGS TO DO IN KIAMA, NEW SOUTH WALES
AN EPIC ROAD TRIP ALONG WATERFALL WAY IN NEW SOUTH WALES
MY INCREDIBLE 5 DAY GOLD COAST ITINERARY
7 GREAT THINGS TO DO ON MAGNETIC ISLAND, QUEENSLAND
7 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN TOWNSVILLE, QUEENSLAND
THE MOST BREATHTAKING THINGS TO DO AT ULURU
THE MOST WONDERFUL THINGS TO DO IN NOOSA, QUEENSLAND
8 WONDERFUL THINGS TO DO IN JERVIS BAY, NEW SOUTH WALES
40 INCREDIBLE PHOTO SPOTS IN MELBOURNE
A GUIDE TO VISITING THE DEVIL’S MARBLES IN AUSTRALIA
A GUIDE TO THE GOLD COAST HINTERLAND
9 WONDERFUL THINGS TO DO IN BYRON BAY, NEW SOUTH WALES
WHERE TO FIND WILD CASSOWARIES IN AUSTRALIA
KANGAROOS ON THE BEACH AT CAPE HILLSBOROUGH
FEEDING WILD DOLPHINS AT TIN CAN BAY
A RIDE ABOARD THE KURANDA SCENIC RAILWAY IN CAIRNS
A VISITOR’S GUIDE TO PORT STEPHENS IN NEW SOUTH WALES
MY GUIDE TO EXPLORING MOSSMAN GORGE, QUEENSLAND
WALLAMAN FALLS, QUEENSLAND: THE TALLEST WATERFALL IN AUSTRALIA
THE MOST IMPRESSIVE WATERFALLS IN AUSTRALIA
16 INCREDIBLE THINGS TO DO IN SYDNEY
A WEEKEND IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS