Top 7 things to do in Cowra, NSW: What are the best attractions?

The best things to do in Cowra, New South Wales, include visiting the WWII Prisoner of War camp, steam train rides on the Lachlan Valley Railway and admiring the cherry blossom trees in the Cowra Japanese Garden.

Cowra is a town the Central West region of New South Wales. It’s often overlooked by visitors, but it has an interesting past that’s worth exploring.

Cowra’s highlights can be explored on an attraction-packed e-bike tour.

The best things to do in Cowra are:

The Japanese Prisoner of War Camp.
The Cowra Japanese Garden.
The Cowra Heritage Walk.
The Lachlan Valley Railway.
Swimming at Farleigh Beach.
Wine-tasting at the Cowra region wineries.
Walking with wallabies in Conimbla National Park.

These Cowra attractions are covered in more detail below.

Cowra attractions: Japanese Prisoner of War Camp.

During World War II, Cowra was home to a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp.

It is now preserved as part memorial, part museum. At the camp site, you can find out about the conditions, and the mass break-out in 1944 when more than 1,000 Japanese prisoners escaped.

Things to do in Cowra, NSW: Cowra Japanese Garden

Fascinatingly, Cowra has forged a special relationship with Japan since then. The Japanese and Australian war cemeteries are testament to this, while the Cowra Japanese Garden pays tribute. The garden has been designed largely in Japanese style.

Cowra has also planted many Sakura – aka cherry blossom trees – from Japan, and hosts an annual Cherry Blossom Festival in the spring.

What to do in Cowra, NSW: Cowra Heritage Walk

Other aspects of Cowra’s history are strung together in the Cowra Heritage Walk. This walk meanders around the town, taking in old churches, the courthouse and several other heritage buildings. These include the 1860 Flour Mill and the Australian Hotel, initially built in 1846.

If vintage trains are your thing, you can go for a steam train ride along the Lachlan Valley Railway.

Cowra wineries

Other things to do in Cowra include sunbathing and swimming at Farleigh Beach on the Lachlan River. This river beach has a park with picnic tables behind it.

You can also go wine-tasting. There are several Cowra region wineries with cellar doors open to the public.

Chiverton Grove Vineyard and Kalari Wines are closest to the centre, while Pig In The House, Rosnay and Windowrie Estate are a little further north near Canowindra. You can go hot air ballooing in Canowindra, too.

Things to do in Cowra, NSW: Conimbla National Park

Cowra is also the main gateway to Conimbla National Park.

This isn’t the sort of national park that is going to stun visitors, but the views are scenic, the walking trails are enjoyable and there are plenty of wallabies hopping around.