Sunday, 27 September 2009

Carcoar 2009


The town of Carcoaris one of the most beautifully kept historical towns we have ever seen on our travels. 

Initially the main source of income was agriculture then eventually iron ore, cobalt and copper was found and the town found wealth, gold was discovered in  the 1850’s. 

During the 1860’s bush rangers Johnny Gilbert and John O’Meally part of the Gardiner/Hall bushranger gang attempted to rob the old Commercial Bank, this building still stands today as a private residence.  
The Blayney-Cowra completed in 1888 which made life easier for the population unfortunately today this has been closed and this has led to the gradual decline of Carcoar as a major centre.  Carcoar is one of Australia’ most beautifully preserved historic villages





Saturday, 26 September 2009

Cowra 26-27 Sept 2009



The village of Lyndhurst is located 43kms from Cowra.  
We stopped to have a look around noting the old buildings left from the gold discoveries of the 1870’s. 
It was a private township then based around the gold mining.  It was in March 1885 Lyndhurst was proclaimed a village.
A lot of the homes still have the scars of yesterday it is a shame some of these old town buildings are left to rot and not preserved for our history.


At Cowra
 
we stayed in a cabin in the Cowra Caravan Parkabout 4km from the town centre and right next door was the Cowra War Museum.


Words cannot describe the memorabilia in this museum it was absolutely fantastic. 

It had an extensive private collection of war, rail and rural memorabilia in a covered two acre complex.  In the War Museum section a comprehensive Prisoner of War and Military Camp displays and one of the largest German Infantry displays in the world. 
The Rail Museum section had a gigantic Model Train layout and walk through passenger carriages from 1940’s. 
The Rural Museum section with a large range of mill steam engines, early 19th century agricultural machinery and much more.  This museum is well worth a look and you will need a whole day at least.
A visit to Cowra would not be a visit without going to the Japanese Gardens they are truly beautiful.
  In 1977 Ken Nakajima world famous landscape gardener was appointed as designer and is responsible for the final site choice. 

In October 1979 the garden became a full time tourist attraction. 

In 1986 stage two was finished and this completed the original plans of the Garden. 

The garden is just wonderful to walk through with the two lakes and surroundings very peaceful and serene.


We stopped at Mandurama which is near Lyndhurst,