Forbes – Cowra - Bathurst

Got a late start after enjoying a very peaceful sleep by the river. Had a nice breakfast in town and wandered around the cute shopping precinct. It’s a really gorgeous little town.

Drove past this great house under construction that really caught out attention. It was a really funky iron house and we saw a huge bank of solar panels on a roof so we knew it would be good. There was no one around, so we peered in through all the windows. It was amazing. It faced north and had the most fabulous views across the valley. It had a central atrium entrance and a door to the left to the minor bedrooms and French doors out to the verandah area and then doors out to the living area.

There were large French doors all the way along the north side. There were really small opening high light windows to the south. They also had all the gutters overhanging white pipe that went underground and 50m or so away from the house down to 4 really large water tanks. It was amazing as there was no pump as it was gravity fed off the roof and into the tanks. Both openings were visible so you can watch the water flow off the roof and into the tanks. They were already more than half full. Not sure how long the house had been up, but it was at lockup stage and the kitchen was in. The tiling was also in in the bathroom. It was simple but large. There were also 18 smaller solar panels on the roof of the garage which were generating madly in the hot sun of the day. It was just the sort of house I’d like to build.

Made it to Cowra in time for lunch. Wayne & Sharon mentioned The Mill as a great place to go for lunch. Had the most amazing cheese platter and icy cold chardy for lunch. Managed to tear ourselves away to walk around the Japanese Gardens that seems to be Cowra’s main tourist attractions. On arriving at Cowra we did pop in the Tourist Office and enjoyed the most fabulous holographic tourist display on the Prisoner of War Camp and the renowned Cowra Breakout. It’s a must if you passing this way. Its so well done.

The Japanese Gardens were designed by Japan’s foremost prominent garden designer. He died in 2000 and there is a memorial at the entrance to him. He did come back a couple of years before he died to see the finished product. He did state that he thought these were the most important gardens he designed. They really were spectacular.

An Echidna wandering around the Japanese Gardens

On the way back into town, we stopped off at the World Peace Bell. It’s a replica of the one at the United Nations. Its made from coins from every country in the United Nations and melted into the most lovely peace bell. Cowra really has been through a lot. It’s a town of reconciliation and it’s a credit to the community to have pulled it all together.

Really enjoyed the very pleasant meandering through the gentle hills and into Bathurst. Found a parking bay around the Race Track to call home for the night.