COWRA ...... A Paradise In Australia

The Cowra Story The Tidiest Town In NSW 2002 and the Friendliest Town in 2005. Cowra is a small country town situated about four hours by road from Sydney, the Olympic City of 2000. While it is a small town of 9,500 people in the town growing to a shire population of 14,000 it is a town with a wide diversity of features. In 2002 Cowra was judged to be the tidiest town in NSW. The Tidy Town and Urban Landcare Committee proudly displays why Cowra was successful at the end of this article. It was also a finalist in the competition to ... (more)

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The Southern Gateway to Cowra
This is the southern entry to Cowra. Cowra is the Centre of World Friendship...

The Township of Cowra

The former Cowra Bridge
This bridge was in use until the mid 1980's having been built in 1893. It...

The former Cowra Bridge built in 1893.

The Old Bridge Span
One span of the old bridge was kept when the new bridge was built. It...

Photograph 126

The Cowra Bridge
The Cowra Bridge as you enter town from the west.

The Cowra Bridge from the east
A View of the Cowra Bridge from the main busines district.

The Beautiful Lachlan River
The Lachlan River as it flows under the bridge in Cowra

Kym Freeman
Kym Freeman is the artist who completed the murals on the pylons of the Cowra...

Aboriginal Murals Under Cowra Bridge

Cowra Bridge Murals
These Aboriginal murals depict aspects of both Aboriginal culture and the...

Cowra Bridge Murals

The Forest Of Youth
A tree has been planted for each new born child in Cowra in recent...

The Lachlan Valley
Cowra sits in the Lachlan Valley.. a rich agricultural area.

Canola growing just outside Cowra
Canola is but one of the many crops grown in the Cowra area.

Asparagus Harvesting at Cowra
Asparagus is only one of the many agricultural products that are grown in Cowra

Vineyard at Cowra
The vineyard is an industry in Cowra which is gaining a good...

The Former POW Camp at Cowra
The story of the POW breakout is on the cairn and a nearby viewing platform...

The former POW Camp site at Cowra
Four Australian guards and 231 Japanese POW's were killed and 334 escaped...

Italian POW Memorial in Cowra
Thsi memorial recognises the Italians who were imprisoned during the Second...

Cowra's War Cemetery
War dead from both Australia and Japan rest in the Cowra War Cemetery.

Italian Memorial in Cowra

The Holgram at the Visitor's Information
The hologram presentation tells the story of the prisoner of war...

The Cowra Japanese Garden..
The building of this garden was funded by the people and firms from Japan.

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article published 12/31/2002

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Where I started out
I was born in Cowra District Hospital in 1981. My old man was a vet down there and mum was looking after me I spose. My Grandfather Harry North and my granny Peggy North used to own a furniture shop along the main drag. Harry passed away a few years ago but granny is still going strong. I love Cowra and have always felt that the central West is where I belong.
— Hugh Hunter, August 29, 2009

Old touring variety shows . . .
My grandfather Alfred (Knocker) Williams - a Wiradjuri Man, used to run touring variety shows in the Lachlan Valley region, I'm assuming around the 1940's or so . . . I'm trying to find out more about this and would sincerely welcome any help, leads, photographs and clues to assist with this research. Please feel free to drop me a line directly on this email. Thanking you in advance!

Naretha
— Naretha Williams, April 5, 2009

We live in Bangor Co. Down in Northern Ireland and have been to Cowra twice to visit our daughter Ruth and granddaughters Rachel Beth and Julia at the Breakout in Macquarie St. Cowra is everything that this country used to be Beautiful , Friendly and very definitely a Paradise in Australia Wish we were there
— Harry and Hazel Childs, November 19, 2008

Charles Carter
My wife's Uncle was stationed in Cowra after WW11.He was killed on Motor-bike just before he was due to return home to Wales U K.I wonder if anybody would remember him.

Thank You
— Derek Thomas, June 30, 2008

My Home Town Always and Forever
I was born in Canowindra in july 1950, my family have been in cowra for ever I believe, my nana mabel Bardakis (nee Grant- nee Hughes) is buried in the memorial gardens, my Grandfather Richard Grant was a Black tracker in forbes, My dads family came Condoblin/ forbes/orange area, The Lachlan area will always be home, I visited home in 2006 and now i can visit it every day. I often cry when I think of home, as it seems so far away from Western Australia which is where I live now along with my children and grandchildren who dont know what they are mjissing. Thanks a lot garry for bringing me home ech day. Margaret Corrie
— Margaret Corrie, June 30, 2008

My father, Charles Henry Shepherd died at Cowra during the Second World War during the breakout of Japanese Prisoners. I go back for the reunion every few years and am always impressed by the beautiful town. It's always so neat and clean with plenty to see and do. Keep up the good work.
— Letitia Emily Shepherd, May 26, 2008

From New York City
My mother, Del Wright, sent me the link to this website to keep up to date on Cowra, I am so proud to see it in photos and see the development of community that continues to happen. Sitting here in New York City I am happy to say it is my home town..Kylie
— Kylie Wright-Ford, April 14, 2008

Hi
Constable Harry O Neill who is based in Cowra is my Brotherinlaw Hi Harry
— david Doyle, March 30, 2008

Caricato Gaetano
My father, Gaetano Caricato born 10.04.14 in Italy/ Foggia was an prison in the 2 WW in cowra. He worked at the Farm Scott/ Cowra. During 1941 - 1946 he was in Cowra. He produced 2 children. There are my half brother and sister. I can not found there. Who can help me ??? My E - mail: massimo.caricato@freenet.de
— Caricato Massimo, Germany, Cologne, December 28, 2007

Caricato Gaetano
My father, Gaetano Caricato born 10.04.14 in Italy/ Foggia was an prison in the 2 WW in cowra. He worked at the Farm Scott/ Cowra. During 1941 - 1946 he was in Cowra. He produced 2 children. There are my half brother and sister. I can not found there. Who can help me ??? My E - mail: massimo.caricato@freenet.de Caricato Massimo, Germany, Cologne
— Caricato Massimo, December 28, 2007

ED
I am impressed by the site and also looking for someone to develope my 100 hectares of land dedicated to support orphans and victioms of war here in N.Uganda. write to me at angwechpamela2004@yahoo.co.uk
— Pamela, November 25, 2007

Well done Cowra in getting the JJJ 'One Night Stand'. Even though I left 23 years ago I continue to be proud and impressed with my home town. Great website and magic pics. Brings back a lot of memories...
— David Symons, March 19, 2007

Gaetano Caricato
My father, Gaetano Caricato born 10.04.14 in Italy/ Foggia was an prison in the 2 ww in cowra. He worked at the farm. During 1941 - 1946 he was in cowra. He produced 2 children. There are my half brother and sister. I can not found there. Who can help me ???
— Caricato Massimo, February 25, 2007

hello
you can quick buy or sell BMW
— bmw, February 10, 2007

Felicitaciones
Congratulations to my home town of Cowra, all the way from Concepcion Chile.
— Sandy Johnston, May 20, 2006

Hi Garry! I was just feeling very homesick here in cold cold England and guess what I found, some gorgeous pictures of my beloved home town. You have cheered me up - again. What a great site mate, love to the family...Little Walshy.
— Jules Walsh, March 29, 2006

Truely amazing
The Lachlan Valley is so beautiful as once visited many years ago Cowra,Forbes,Canowindra and Goolagong .Didn,t realise how many sites to visit, so must go back.Nice,clean,friendly part of Australia
— ronnie, March 24, 2006

Wonderful Garry. The photos are magic. For such a small community the town has a lot to offer. I'm impressed. Dawn.....
— Dawn Churchward, February 12, 2006

the world is round
the world may be round.... and also : being able to see this site all the way from cold grey UK.... makes the world seem brighter x
— Sarah, February 2, 2006

Home sweet home
Hey! I've been on exchange in Belgium for the past year, and I was just looking at photo's for my site (it's just a personal photo site, dont panic!!) and I've been really sad about leaving everyone here behind (I'll be home Wed 28 dec '05) and this site has made me realise it's not going to be so bad!! It's always my home! I just wanted to let you know i've borrowed some foto's from here!! xx Allie
— Allison Spittles, December 20, 2005

Paradise
Beautiful Garry! You are fortunate to live in such a pretty and quaint town. It really makes me want to slow down, relax and smell the roses.

Leslie Ontario, Canada
— Leslie, October 23, 2005

What a beautiful site Garry and a well deserved title - both times. The pictures and descriptions are incredible. I plan to come back and spend more time here. Truly Amazing. Well done my friend. Thank you for sharing what has to be one of God's most beautiful places on the earth.
— Jackie (jd3237), October 23, 2005

Wonderful!
WOW Yet another great Acheivment for Cowra!! The Friendliest Place !!! Well Done
— spink, October 22, 2005

I live in Canberra but have gone to Cowra often over the years to take our Japanese homestays to see the Garden and War Cemetery. Sometimes I go to the Japanese Garden to meditate. My first visit though was in about 1965 to go to a Bush ball - I remember camping at the Whyangla reserve.

I adore your little town, its scenery, its local food and wine, and international perspective.

May Cooma never lose its charm!
— Eric, June 30, 2005

2005
hey this is the first message in your guest book this year (2005) if i remember rightly i was first in the book 2 years ago too lol :-) site and Cowra still as good as ever Happy New Year.. Garry, Cath and family x
— Sarah, January 2, 2005

Cowra looks like a great town to live in. I will come there one day with Suz Manson and she will show me around.
— Scott, November 21, 2004

Your site has made me feel very homesick. Although living overseas, I still call Cowra home and your website reminds me why! Thankyou:)
— janelle, July 19, 2004

Congrats Cowra
Its indeed a beautiful and illustrious town, a gem of NSW. My father was interned during WWII as an Italian POW. I visited in 1988. Many cities around the globe could learn from Cowra's experience.

Good Day Mates!!

Mario Sautlt Ste. Marie Ontario, Canada
— Mario DiSano, May 3, 2004

Having moved to the US of A 4 years ago I continue to search for websites etc of my home town...Cowra and then I came across this site. You are to be congratulated for a very informative and picturesq website
— Graeme Matheson, March 13, 2004

I was born in Cowra in 1968 and recently had the pleasure of returning to the most beautiful little town in Australia! The friendliness of the people is amazing, the history and wineries, were outstanding!I live in north queensland, but will be back for the 2004 60th anniversary! great town! dave :)
— dave, December 31, 2003

thank you cowra - tidy town 2003
Congratulations to all Cowra Tidy Towner's and all the many other people involved in helping to make the NSW Tidy Town Awards weekend such a great success you certainly did yourselves proud what a lovely town we can see why you won the Tidy Town Title your hospitality and friendliness to all the other Tidy Towner's was suberb - a weekend we will remember for a long time and thanks to Gary for this wonderful website hope to see all Tidy Towner's in Broken Hill in 2004
— pat b, December 2, 2003

Best wishes
Just a note to say: Good luck Cowra for the coming Tidy Town's weekend...Garry I know how hard you have worked and hope the weekend is a success!!!! and most of all you enjoy it All the very best of luck mate you deserve it xxx
— Sarah, November 18, 2003

forgot
i forgot to tell i am from the Netherlands i live in Zoetermeer near Amsterdam and have a friend in this place
— cornelia, November 5, 2003

lovely
the photos told me come to this place and see all with your own eyes so maby i see you all bye
— cornelia, November 5, 2003

thankyou so much you just amde a hugely boring geography assignment a lot easier
— sarah, November 5, 2003

Garry i have just advertised Cowra on the Hughes support group message board.... well all good things deserve a mention...and Cowra is Good and you have done a great job!! :-)
— Sarah, October 7, 2003

The murals on the bridge are purely fantastic and show the strong heritage of the local aboriginal presence in your town. Would love to see more of this type of artwork in all country towns that respect the previous inhabitants and I am sure that they are proud to be included in the local visual imagry. Is there any more areas that recognize the wiradjuri comunities involvement in the shire. I know that the local river the lachlan had a very strong link to the dreamtime and obviously would have been called a different name by them.Perhaps there could be a sign depicting this name at your low level crossing to indicate the first recognized name before we changed it to the Lachlan. Or even a short depiction of the spiritual connection to the river perhaps. Education for the tourists.?
— george bond, September 15, 2003

Thanx for the great pics they have really helped me with my Geography Assignment... (Hi Juan, hows the dentistry going down there in Cowra), anyways... thanx a heap!
— Emma Iglesias, August 29, 2003

Gary, you did an awesome job on this "tidy" town in Australia! Kudos to you! I'm glad that Sarah put this link on her site for all to enjoy. :)
— Donna aka Maxie, August 27, 2003

Garry; What a wonderful job you did showing Cowra and some of its history! I really enjoy seeing and learning about others homelands. Thanks so much for sharing. Also pics are printer friendly :) One day maybe this guy from Michigan USA will get to visit the land of "OZ"
— Brian aka jaydee, August 23, 2003

One day I would love to be able to get my Rollerskates on... go right over Sydney Bridge then right into wonderful *Tidy* Cowra ,One day ...i guess i will have to keep practising!

=smiles=
— skater, August 21, 2003

RN nurse
These are the most beautiful gardens i have ever seen in my life the colors are intence takes your breath away,Can not wait to vist to see and touch them with my own hands,A real beauty from God ... Man can only do what he is given to work with and wow what a sight to be hold its just wonderful Thank you for sharing,Ill be there soon you just wait for me, Christine
— Christine, August 19, 2003

Can anyone tell me who created these images?
— Jim Freund, August 17, 2003

came across your website was very interesting all my little bosheys say hi .
— anne boschenok, August 5, 2003

I really liked the photos of Art Gallery.
— Claude Monet, August 1, 2003

After alomost 35 years in the district, I'm so proud to be able to send this Tidy Town triumph to friends and relatives in Ireland, NZ and elsewhere. Thanks, clever, industrious and garrulous Garry, for providing this easy opportunity to brag!
— Margaret Page, July 28, 2003

We performed in Cowra for the Olympics Arts Festival in 2000 and loved the whole community! All of these beautiful pictures make me sentimental. Congratulations on "Tidiest Town" award!
— Wayne Mitchell, June 21, 2003

You have done Cowra proud. It is a beautiful place. Like everywhere it has it problems, but it is always beautifulto visit.
— John Evans, April 8, 2003

Wishing you all the very best of luck for next weekend! Garry you are a Star! and Cowra deserves to win! :-)
— Sarah, March 28, 2003

WELL DONE - YOU HAVE DONE US PROUD
Gary

I have passed your website on to many people and I hope they enjoy it as much as Bill and I have. Many thanks for a job well done.

Chris Murphy
— Christine Murphy, March 26, 2003

yes its a lovely town. I had the privelege to live there once for a couple of years. Ab Oliver who was mayor gave me my citizenship and Norm and Norma Wade of Binni Creek rd were the nicest and most hospitable aussies you could ever meet.
— mike, March 10, 2003

A JOB WELL DONE !!!
Having lived for 7 years in the beautiful central west of NSW I have been fortunate enough to visit Cowra on many occasions. I find your photos absolutely splendid as it depicts the town so well. I felt like I was really travelling back there by looking at your photos. Forbes, Cowra and surrounding areas will always remain in my heart as the most beautiful areas in Australia.
— Laura Jones, March 10, 2003

Hello from UK ...What a fantastic place to live ... i hope u guys realise how lucky you all are !! and all that sunshine !!! forgot what that is !!
— Sue ( blueeyes), March 1, 2003

Just wondering if there is anywhere in Cowra to park a caravan.
— The B Gang, February 26, 2003

Very nice site...great publicity for Cowra. If you're ever down at the old railway station, Garry, how about taking a picture of the beautiful restoration. As well as being tidy, Cowra must be one of the prettiest towns anywhere in Australia.
— geoff j, February 23, 2003

Fabulous
Greetings from Salt Spring Island, BC Canada. Your site is exceptional! If every town showed as many and as fine a collection of images that you have for Cowra, we'd really know what the rest of the world looked like! Thanks so much.
— catfyre, February 19, 2003

Way to go the *Rooosters* :)
— chook, February 16, 2003

Sammy (England)
Dear Mr Starr I have to do a school project on a another Country. I have chosen to do Australia. My Mum showed me your website and i think it is really good!!! I think there are some good pictures.
— Sammy Sparra (Brown), February 7, 2003

Dear Gary

Great info. I'm adding this link to the 2003 Tom Quilty Gold Cup site so all our horsey endurance riders can see the lovely piccy's of Cowra before they arrive here in June.
— Marion Mitchell Read, February 6, 2003

Dear Gary

simply super special site
— ss sneezy, February 5, 2003

ab fab,
Just one thing -were are we??? the naked lady's.xxxxxx
— leanne,ruby & minnie, February 4, 2003

Yay! Finally some nice pictures of home to show to my friends overseas. Its great that you`ve got such a wide variety of Cowra scenes represented here, and I think its good for Cowra to have a resource like this available online. Thank you :-)
— Rebekah Clements, February 3, 2003

Heyo Mr. Starr, Great work!!! Cewl pictures!
— Mary-Kate Cowell, February 3, 2003

Dear Mr Starr I like your pictures. I hope you are well
— Bridgette Cowell, February 3, 2003

Man you sure have done us proud, you me makes wonder why iever left cowra , congratulations Garry on a splended work of your talent
— LEO TATTERSALL, February 3, 2003

Editor and Webmaster, MS MuSings
Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful world, Gaz. Your words and these pictures bring it all in focus. You are so blessed to live in your own paradise!
— CarMuSings, February 1, 2003

This fantastic photo gallery of pictures of Cowra certainly project an aura of a community where its citizens take a great deal of pride in ensuring that much emphasis is placed on keeping it neat, clean and inviting. Its absolutely lovely and makes me dream of visiting Australia. No wonder you earned the title of "tidiest city". Your efforts are to be commended.
— Dottie Morgan, January 28, 2003

Well! it seems that xschool teachers do have a use afterall! I thought they all went to chalkie heavan not really knowing the true meaning of life! Finally!! its happened! a brilliant Web site on Cowra that has it all, apart from good looking chicks! great site Gazz, great idea Gazz, great pictures Gazz, and great people putting it together! well done Rooster !!!!

Walshie.....
— Chris Walsh, January 28, 2003

Happy Australia Day
— :-)), January 25, 2003

What an absolutely beautiful way to tour your lovely town. This is the next best way to tour your area in Australia (and most of us literally dream of being able to visit Australia). Thanks so very, very much for fantasic photo gallery of Cowra. You should win the tidiest contest with no problem.
— Dottie Morgan, January 23, 2003

There's no picture of the Railway Hotel
— Peter, January 23, 2003

'Gold at the end of the Rainbow'

The sight of a rainbow never ceases to amaze and enthral those who behold its majestic splendour. The fabled colourful are promises pots of gold at its end. And so it is that the visitor to Cowra experiences a feeling akin to having discovered their own "pot of gold".
— Gladys Smith, January 22, 2003

Glad
This place looks out of this world!!
— Gladys Smith, January 22, 2003

COWRA
It's very interesting seeing the different styles eh gary? I was particularly "struck" by the murals under the bridge, what a good way of acknowledging "taggers", has this made a difference to their "habits"? Good one buddy!!:)
— RogerD, January 17, 2003

Well done Gazza, what a good job you have done to promote Cowra. Nice to see all the lovely pictures too and congratulations on the tidy town bit too. Loris xx
— Loris Manns (aka Lollipop), January 14, 2003

great pictorial
Having visited Cowra, I must say the pictures do the town proud. It is a beautiful town and the people I have met there are friendly. They make you feel right at home as soon as you arrive.
— Hennry, January 13, 2003

Iam very proud of you Garry for such a lovely job put the pictures together makes me proud to be an ex cowraite regard to you and Kathy........Leo
— LEO TATTERSALL, January 12, 2003

impressed
on a rescent trip to Cowra with some family and friends I was delighted to of met you gary. If you remember I was the guy who fell in love with YOUR TOWN AND IT'S HOSPITALITY. I must say that it still is on my list for most beutiful and most missed town in my heart today. Keep up the good work Gary
— scott from sydney, January 11, 2003

* Paradise * I Feel I have almost been there, who knows one day I might just make it.
— Ms cheeky sheila ss, January 7, 2003

Team Leader at KFC and Mommy
Well done Garry. Congratulations to the City of Cowra for your Tidy Town award! You do have a beautiful town you should be very proud. Garry has beem sharing your Cowra with me online for years. I am fron North Carolina USA its a very pretty state as well. Good on ya Garry. love ya
— Dixie Lee Bell, January 7, 2003

Well done Garry, I am impressed with how Cowra looks. I will put it on my 'must visit' list
— Gill, January 5, 2003

Great site! :-) nice pictures I especially like the japenese gardens. Cowra well deserves the Tidy town award :-)
— Sarah, January 1, 2003