Local attractions
Australia's World Peace Bell
Civic Square, Darling Street
Cowra NSW 2794
The Australian World Peace Bell was awarded to Cowra in 1992 for its long standing contribution to world peace and international understanding. Capital cities usually reserve the right to erect the World Peace Bell, however Cowra’s commitment to the World Peace Bell’s objectives has meant Cowra was awarded the honour. The Bell is made of coins provided by 103 member countries of the United Nations, which were melted down and cast into the Bell.
Bellevue Hill Lookout and Fauna Reserve
Bellevue Hill, Binni Creek Road
Cowra NSW 2794
Bellevue Hill is a Fauna Reserve with wallabies, kangaroos and emus. At the bottom of the lookout there are playgrounds and free barbecues with lights that come on a night for an evening barbecue.
At the top of the hill, you have a superb view of Cowra, which is nestled beside the meandering Lachlan River.
Cowra Art Gallery
77 Darling Street
Cowra NSW 2794
The Cowra Art Gallery is a cultural facility of Cowra Shire Council that is free to all. The gallery hosts a regular calendar of exhibitions ranging from the work of local artists to travelling works of renowned artists.
Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre
Binni Creek Road
Cowra NSW 2794
Opened in 1979, this multi award winning attraction is a must see at any time of the year.
Ken Nakajima created the Kaiyushiki (strolling) garden at Cowra, which is designed to take each visitor on a voyage of discovery. The Garden represents the landscapes of Japan where the hill is the mountain, streams are rivers while ponds are inland lakes and the sea.
Special features of the Garden include: an authentic open air Tea House, a working Pottery House, Tatami room (a traditional Japanese living room) and a Bonsai House.
The Cultural Centre adjoins the Garden and has two galleries featuring an extensive collection of Japanese works of art and artefacts. A third gallery houses rotating exhibitions highlighting the work of local painters, sculptors and wood carvers.
Take time to explore the Garden and experience its tranquillity and beauty. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic lunch or take advantage of The Restaurant which overlooks the Garden and offers morning and afternoon teas and lunches daily.
Cowra Visitor Information Centre
Olympic Park, Mid Western Highway
Cowra NSW 2794
The friendly and professional staff at the Cowra Visitor Information Centre will answer all of your questions relating to Cowra and the surrounding district and supply a range of local and state information brochures.
The Centre is located on the junction of the Grenfell, Young and Boorowa roads and is bordered by the magnificent Cowra Rose Garden featuring over 1000 rose bushes of in excess of 100 varieties.
The P.O.W. Theatre is located at the rear of the centre. This amazing 9 minute presentation is a hologram of a young woman who tells the tragic story of the prisoner of war breakout from the Cowra P.O.W. camp during World War 2.
Prisoner of War Camp Site
Sakura Ave
Cowra NSW 2794
This site is listed as one of the top Heritage sites in NSW. In 1944 over 1000 Japanese POW staged a mass breakout that was the biggest in British and Australian War History. 231 Japanese POW lost their lives and 4 Australians also died during the breakout.
