LOCAL AREA

Local Area

Cowra Japanese Garden & Cultural Centre 

Visit the multi-award-winning Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre. Opened in 1979, the Garden is a ‘must-see’ at any time of the year, whether you are on your first visit to Cowra or your fiftieth. The Cowra Japanese Garden & Cultural Centre is a tangible monument to peace and reconciliation between two countries. The principal object and purpose of the Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre is the promotion of Japanese design including; landscape, garden and built form design, Japanese crafts, Japanese movable cultural heritage and to support and advance the cultural relations between the people of the Cowra Shire in New South Wales and the people of Japan. 


Cowra Japanese Garden & Cultural Centre 

Wyangala Dam

Make the most of clear country skies at this destination that is ideal for a day trip and picnic, water sports and just right for a family holiday or get away with friends. For those of you looking for activities, there are many to choose from at this picturesque park. There is a children’s playground, volleyball court and many walking trails through the bush to suit all levels of fitness. There are plenty of mountain bike trails to explore with varied terrain and spectacular scenery. A paddle around the foreshores any time of year is a wonderful and relaxing way to enjoy a day. The dam is well regarded by anglers for fishing; silver and golden perch, catfish and Murray cod are plentiful. 


Wyangala Dam

Australia’s World Peace Bell 

Made from melted down coins donated by 106 member countries of the United Nations, Australia’s World Peace Bell is a testament to Cowra’s long-standing contribution to world peace and international understanding. Recognised by the World Peace Bell Association in 1992, the bell is proudly housed in Cowra’s Civic Square where visitors can read the interpretive signage, listen to the audio presentation and even ring the bell itself. 


Australia’s World Peace Bell 

Iandra Castle 

If you should happen to be driving through the Central West of NSW, past grazing sheep, amid paddocks of wheat and canola, the last thing you would expect to see is a castle! On the road from Greenethorpe to Young, however, this is just what you will see. Open house at Iandra Castle is a great opportunity to explore the homestead and surrounding buildings and gardens. 


Iandra Castle 

Japanese War Cemeteries 

Established in 1964, this is the only Japanese War Cemetery to be retained in Australia. There are 523 graves at the Japanese War Cemetery, containing the remains of the 231 Japanese soldiers who were killed in the 1944 Cowra Breakout and all Japanese Nationals who died on Australian soil during World War II.


Japanese War Cemeteries 

Around the corner

Convenient Location

Cowra Hospital - 1min

Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre - 2min

Cowra Prisoner of War Camp – 5min

Cowra Information Centre – 4min

Cowra Showground – 6min

Australia’s Peace Bell – 1 min

Cowra Civic Centre – 1min

Cowra Railway Station – 2 min

Conimbla National Park – 27min

Iandra Castle – 37min

Cowra CBD – 1min


Towns Near By

Orange – 91km

Bathurst – 106km

Young – 71km

Grenfell – 56km

Forbes – 91km

Parkes – 105km

Canowindra – 33km

Boorowa – 76km

Wyangala – 40km

Canberra – 188km

Sydney – 305km


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