Our wartime legacy

Cowra is steeped in rich history and heritage, from the solemn grounds of the Cowra POW Camp and War Cemeteries, to the uplifting significance of Australia’s World Peace Bell.

THE COWRA BREAKOUT At 1:50am on the 5th of August 1944, over 1000 Japanese prisoners launched a mass escape from the Cowra Prisoner of War Camp. It was the largest prisoner of war breakout in modern military history. 234 Japanese prisoners and 5 Australian soldiers lost their lives. From this violent beginning, both a journey of reconciliation and a growing friendship have developed between the people of Cowra and the nation of Japan.

PRISONER OF WAR CAMPSITE The ruins of the Prisoner of War Campsite are still visible to this day, well-placed interpretive signage will help you visualise what once stood in this picturesque part of Cowra. Stand under the replica Guard Tower where a detailed audio presentation will bring the scenery around you to life. Take a stroll down the paths throughout the site to the five panel commemorative sculpture. Walk or cycle through the Garrison Walk, taking you straight to the beautiful Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre.

WAR CEMETERIES The Cowra Japanese War Cemetery contains the graves of the 234 Japanese soldiers who were killed in the Cowra Breakout as well as all the Japanese Nationals who died on Australian soil during World War II. This is the only Japanese War Cemetery outside of Japan. The Australian War Cemetery adjoins the Japanese War Cemetery and contains graves of the servicemen who died at the Cowra Military Training Camp, as well as the 5 Australian soldiers killed during the 1944 breakout.

INDONESIAN GRAVES Whilst the story of the Cowra Breakout is relatively well known, it is a little known fact that 1,200 Indonesian internees were held at the Cowra POW Camp during World War II. Two groups were brought to the POW Camp, the first being merchant navy sailors and the second being Nationalists who had been exiled to what is now Irian Jaya (Dutch New Guinea) after they had been involved in the 1926 uprising. The Dutch Government thought that the Nationalists would link up with the invading Japanese forces and were able to convince the Australian Government to ship the men, women and children to Australia (Cowra) for internment. The Indonesian Memorial is made up of the graves of 13 Indonesian political detainees who died in the Cowra POW Camp while being held on behalf of the Dutch East Indies Government in the early years of WWII. In 1997 the Indonesian Government erected a memorial to these people in the General Section of the Cowra Cemetery. It was through Jan Lingard from the School of Asian Studies at the University of Sydney that this hidden story was revealed.

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.

EUROPA PARK From 1940–1945, the Cowra Military Training Camp trained some 80,000 military personnel. In 1949, the site became the Cowra Migrant Camp and was home to about 17,000 European migrants until 1955. Up to 4,000 immigrants could be housed at the camp at one time with as many as 27 nations represented among those who lived there. An estimated total of between 17,000 and 19,000 people passed through the gates of the camp throughout its time of operation. The camp itself was run like a small town, boasting its own post office, school, canteen and chapel. Many of the men were sent away to work in neighbouring towns for projects such as the railway construction in Orange, constructing dams and working at the Edgell Cannery. Interpretive signage and a memorial have been erected in honour of the migrant families of Cowra in Europa Park.

COWRA VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE The Cowra Visitor Information Centre is an essential first stop for visitors to the Cowra region. Our Centre is your one stop shop for local & regional information, maps, local produce, craft and many varieties of local wine. Why not select a bottle of award-winning wine and some local produce to enjoy during your stay or better still, allow us to customise a hamper of local produce for you to enjoy. Chat to our friendly staff and allow us to help you make the most of your stay in our lovely region. The Cowra Visitor Information Centre is open from 9am – 5pm / 7 days a week every day of the year (except Christmas Day).

POW HOLOGRAM THEATRE Located at the Cowra Visitor Information Centre, this 9 minute presentation brings the tragic events of The Cowra Breakout to life through the eyes of Claire, a young Cowra local. The famous POW Hologram Theatre is the best place to start your historical journey through the Cowra region. COWRA ROSE GARDEN An initiative of the Cowra Shire Council, the Calleen Trust and Ben Swane in 1998 to celebrate Cowra’s Sesquicentenary, the Cowra Rose Garden was established to mark the 150th anniversary of the official gazetting of the town. The Cowra Rose Garden is at its best between late October and May, but also features beautiful annuals during the winter months. The Cowra Rose is located in the North West corner of the garden.

POW CAMP Explore the Cowra Peace Precinct, home to the Prisoner of War Camp and stop at the signage dotted around the site. The detailed stories will help to bring the history of the site and its former occupants to life. Visit the new murals situated on the water tanks and take a stroll down the Garrison Walk.