Explore Cowra NSW

Cowra ~ New South Wales

Cowra is a charming town with stunning gardens and a fascinating wartime history in the beautiful Lachlan Valley in New South Wales. It is located on the banks of the Lachlan River, 305 kilometres west of Sydney.

It is home to the Cowra Japanese Garden, the largest Japanese garden in the Southern Hemisphere.

During our visit to Cowra, we visited the beautiful Cowra Japanese Gardens, then learnt about the Prisoner of War history at the Visitor Centre and discovered the Prisoner of War Campsite.  We also enjoyed the rose garden and the sculpture park, and saw some colourful street art around town.

Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre

The Cowra Japanese Garden is a tranquil, five-hectare garden designed to reflect the elegance of traditional Japanese landscapes. 

The Gardens are open every day from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm and there is an entrance fee. It is the largest Japanese Garden in the Southern Hemisphere and is a powerful symbol of goodwill, encouraging reconciliation and peace.

The Cowra Japanese Garden was designed by world-renowned architect Ken Nakajima. The design of the Cowra Japanese Garden and the landscape incorporates six elements. These six elements are mountains, rocks, mountain waterfalls, mountain lakes, rivers turning into oceans and pine trees.

It’s the perfect place to wander and relax among the lakes, waterfalls, stone lanterns, and shady trees. You can see the koi fish in the lakes, and you can feed them in the warmer months.

There is also an interesting bonsai display you can wander around and admire these amazing tiny trees.

In the Cultural Centre, you can see the dry garden, where new designs are regularly raked. Hundreds of world-class Japanese art and artefacts are also on display.

Cowra Visitor Centre

The Cowra Visitor Information Centre is open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm daily. 

Here you will find interesting displays and information about the Cowra Prisoner of War Camp and the mass breakout of Japanese Prisoners of War.

The Centre also has an interesting 9-minute hologram presentation from a local girl called Claire, who tells her personal account of the Cowra Breakout.

Cowra POW Campsite

Next, we headed to the Cowra Prisoner of War Camp site, which is one of the top Heritage sites in NSW. 

The Cowra Prisoner of War camp was established in 1941 during World War 11. It was initially built to house Italian Prisoners of War, but it later housed Japanese Prisoners of War and internees. 

On the 5th of August 1944 at 1:50 am, more than 1000 Japanese prisoners attempted to break out of the Cowra Prisoner of War Camp.  This was the largest prisoner of war breakout in modern military history.

The Japanese prisoners launched a mass ‘suicide attack’ on their guards, the Australian soldiers of the 22nd Garrison. To the Japanese, the disgrace of capture could finally be overcome by dying in armed battle.

350 Japanese escaped that night, but were captured the following week. 231 Japanese Prisoners of war lost their lives, and 4 Australians also died during the breakout.

You can see the ruins of the Prisoner of War Campsite and read the interpretive signage around the site. From this tragedy came a long-lasting friendship between the people of Cowra and the nation of Japan.

Cowra Rose Garden

Directly outside the Visitor Information Centre is the Cowra Rose Garden, which contains approximately 130 varieties of roses. 

 The rose garden is at its best between late October and May, and it is a lovely spot to wander around, admiring the beautiful roses.

Cowra Sculpture Park

The Cowra Sculpture Park is located in the John Moon Arboretum opposite the Cowra Japanese Garden.

This outdoor gallery has a unique collection of public sculptures that were gifted by Macquarie University to the Cowra Council. 

The unique sculptures are from nationally and internationally acclaimed artists.

Cowra City Centre

As we wandered around the streets of Cowra, we saw some wonderful colourful murals created by talented artists, The Zookeeper, Drapl, and Brightsiders. There is one in the laneway near the Lachlan Hotel and one on the Civic Theatre.

Near the Council Building, we saw a lovely fountain and around the corner was the Peace Bell.

This World Peace Bell was made from melted-down coins that were donated by 106 member countries of the United Nations, and it a testament to Cowra’s long-standing contribution to world peace and international understanding.

Bridge Murals 

Near Bryant Park, you can see the Cowra Bridge Pylons beneath the Lachlan River Bridge. They feature Aboriginal murals, painted by local Aboriginal artist, Kym Freeman and depict the history of the Wiradjuri people who inhabited the Cowra area before English settlement.