Set on the banks of the Belubula River, Canowindra is a historic township in rural New South Wales. You can shop for antiques on Heritage-listed Gaskill Street, discover ancient fossils at the Ages of Fishes Museum and relive the legacy of Ben Hall, one of Australia's most notorious bushrangers.
Things to do in Canowindra
An iconic Canowindra experience is soaring over the countryside in a hot-air balloon. Canowindra is known as the “Balloon Capital of Australia”, with companies like Aussie Balloontrek offering memorable sunrise flights over the glowing Belubula Valley.
No matter your age, you're guaranteed to love the Ages of Fishes Museum, which houses a collection of 360-million-year-old fossilised fish. Just one look at their ferocious jaws and it's hard not to compare them to crocodiles. The fossils were first discovered in 1955 and offer a fascinating glimpse at life in prehistoric Australia.
The Canowindra town centre is brimming with charm, with plenty of historic architecture to admire along the Heritage-listed Gaskill Street. As well as peering into cafes, restaurants and gift stores, you can visit Taste Canowindra, which hosts art exhibitions and live music shows and acts as a cellar door for local wineries.
For a glimpse at the town's colourful history, don't miss the Canowindra Historical Museum. You can climb aboard a charming horse-drawn carriage, run your hands over vintage farm machinery and learn more about Canowindra's infamous colonial bushranger, Ben Hall.
Getting around Canowindra
Canowindra is easy to navigate on foot, with a stroll down Gaskill Street taking around 30 minutes. The town is nestled between Orange and Cowra in central New South Wales. Both towns are serviced by regional airports, or you can drive from Sydney in around four hours.