POW Camp

The Cowra Prisoner of War Camp site is listed as one of the top Heritage siges 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.

Today a walking trail goes through the camp ruins and a scale model of the camp is on display at the Cowra Visitors Centre. Also at the Visitor Information Centre is the POW theatre which is a nine minute presentation telling the story of the breakout from the perspective of a local resident.

Peace Precinct, Cowra

Cowra is home to Australia’s World Peace Bell; the Peace Precinct (which includes the Japanese Garden); the Festival of International Understanding; and the Avenue of Trees sponsored by Japanese citizens and families and is the centre of world friendship.

Cowra annually commemorates the Breakout which occurred in the early hours of August 5, 1944.

Peace Bell, Cowra

Usually erected in a nation’s capital city, 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.

The Cowra Civic Square now proudly houses the Bell. The Pavilion is decorated with pottery tiles reflecting the community’s ideas about the World Peace Bell and its association with Cowra. An audio presentation explains the significance of the bell and its association with Cowra.

A ceremony is held on World Peace Day – 3rd Tuesday in September – to mark the opening of the Disarmament at the United Nations.

Please visit Cowra Tourism (https://www.cowratourism.com.au/australias-world-peace-bell/) or Screen Central (www.screencentral.com.au) for additional information.

Vineyard on Flat. Cowra

Picturesque vineyard on flat, surrounded by trees and crops.

Cowra Shire Council

Ridgetop with Panoramic Views. Cowra

Wide rolling hills landscape
Spectacular panoramic rolling hills backdrop as seen from a ridgetop road. Road runs from junction of roads to Greenthorpe (nr Cowra) to Young and Cowra. These shots taken from road branch to Young.

Cowra Shire Council

Railway Station. Cowra

Superbly restored station
Easy access to station. Good parking. Sation platform faces east.

Cowra Shire Council

Lachlan Valley Railway. Cowra

Home base for Lachlan Valley Railway
Lachlan Valley Railway is a museum for rail memorabilia and runs trains including vintage diesel railmotors, steam locomotives plus rolling stock and diesel mainline locomotives. Base in Cowra includes large locomotive turntable, locomotive shed and extensive array of passenger carriage rolling stock.

Cowra Shire Council

Japanese Gardens. Cowra

Spectacular sculptural gardens. Excellent example of Japanese Gardens. Exotic Northern Hemispher species, lakes, rock formations, sculptures. Blossom in spring at the Gardens is world renowned. Located close to CBD of Cowra.

Cowra Shire Council

Grass Airstrip. Cowra

Surrounded by open farmland and overlooked by hills. Privately owned.
Airstrip is located on private property ‘Kilkee’ close to Cowra.

Cowra Shire Council