Great outdoors

Relaxing as Cowra can be, sometimes the call for adventure is just too strong to ignore. Never fear, there are plenty of opportunities to walk, run, cycle, fish and camp your way through the region’s many parks, paths and waterways.

CAMPING AND CARAVANING Cowra welcomes RV travellers and offers plenty of RV parking at major attractions as well as a range of affordable sites and amenities including the Cowra Van Park, Cowra Holiday Park, Cowra Showgrounds and Reflections Holiday Parks Wyangala Waters. There are even free campsites located across the region such as the Edgell Park Rest Area in Cowra and the Gooloogong Caravan Park (by donation). For more information on RV-Friendly Cowra give the Cowra Visitor Information Centre a call on 02 6342 4333 or visit www.visitcowra.com.au.

THE LACHLAN RIVER (BILA GALARI) The Lachlan River runs from Wyangala Dam to Cowra, through the fertile Lachlan Valley, downstream to Forbes. This magnificent river is the perfect setting for canoeing, fishing, camping and more! For up-to-date information about the Lachlan River, including safe entry, parking and river levels visit www.waterwaysguide.org.au. BUSHWALKING AND NATIONAL PARKS A short drive from Cowra and Grenfell, Conimbla National Park is a quiet, tranquil nature reserve where you can enjoy easy, peaceful bushwalks amid rugged hills and farming country. Conimbla National Park is part of the Lachlan Fold Belt. Discover the hidden treasures of this peaceful, beautiful place, an oasis in a region dominated by agriculture. A great base for exploring is the Wallaby Picnic Area in the eastern section. There are picnic tables, campfire rings, a toilet and camping is permitted.

Info: sourced: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Located just 20 minutes from Cowra, visit the Koorawatha Nature Reserve, home to the famous Koorawatha Falls and Weir. The weir was built across the Bang Bang Creek in 1913 to supply water to the railway. Continue past the weir to find Koorawatha Falls, located about 7km from the highway. Please note that the Falls are only accessible with extreme care along an uneven dirt track and by 4WD vehicles only. The falls are at their best and most visible after rainfall. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the rushing of water as you sit by the water’s edge or walk back to the 4WD area where there are BBQ and picnic tables you can sit at.

PLAY With lots of outdoor experiences on offer, Cowra is the perfect family friendly destination. Cowra is spoilt for choice when it comes to play areas with options such as the Nature Based Adventure Playground, River Park, Broughman Park and Saburo Nagakura Park to choose from. For those wanting to explore more, Europa Park has an excellent walking and bike track, the Cowra Skate Park is sure to please all thrill seekers, and for the furry friends of the family, Bill Robertson Park is an excellent enclosed haven for your pets to roam about.

WALKING AND CYCLING Cowra offers some of the quietest, smoothest and most scenic roads in New South Wales. The Cowra Peace Precinct hosts a network of interconnecting concrete paths where you can enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Walk or cycle to the Bellevue Hill Lookout, the Japanese Garden and the historic Prisoner of War Campsite. Take a stroll back in time and discover the history behind Cowra’s most historic buildings with the Cowra Heritage Walk (brochure available at the Cowra Visitor Information Centre). If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, the incredible Wyangala Dam has some great mountain bike trails and natural rest spots, perfect for a picnic, photo opportunity or a well deserved breather. To view or download a copy of the Cowra Rides Guide, go to www.visitcowra.com.au/cycling. For more information about cycling in and around Canowindra, go to www.cyclingcanowindra.com.au.