Beyond the Range

Centrally located and easily linked to the rest of the state with direct lines to all major cities in south eastern Australia, Cowra is approximately one hour from the major regional centres of Bathurst and Orange.

Cowra is a hub of the central west, providing a perfect base for manufacturing and retail providers and further transportation and distribution. Nestled in the beautiful Lachlan Valley, Cowra is known for its prime agricultural land. Diverse and fertile soils able to support a variety of agricultural enterprises such as dairy, wheat, canola, vegetables, sheep, cattle and viticulture.

Cowra has a vibrant and expanding retail and commercial centre. It boasts the services you would expect to find in a larger town while still retaining that wonderful feeling of country hospitality.

As a result of the events of the Cowra Breakout, Cowra Shire has close historical ties to Japan that manifest themselves in various forms within the town. Residents and visitors will notice the links through the Avenue of Cherry Trees, the Cowra Japanese Garden, the Cowra Peace Precinct, War Cemetery and the Sakura Matsuri Festival.

Cowra has a proud Aboriginal community. The Lachlan River is a significant indigenous site and for generations was a meeting place and food source.

The region embraces new community members from all backgrounds and is a centre for world peace.

Useful Links;

Cowra Shire Council

Cowra Tourism

Invest NSW Central West

Click here for further facts and figures on Cowra Shire’s Community Profile.

Click here for further facts and figures on Cowra Shire’s Economic Profile.

Incentives for health professionals

The Cowra region has a strong network of medical and health services including dentists, GP practices, a district hospital and an established, hard-working community Health Council. Specialist services available in Cowra include a chiropractor, optometrists, orthodontist, osteopaths, physiotherapists, podiatrists and psychologists.

Click here to read about the Central West Jobs Action Plan.

Cowra Shire is classified as MMM4 under the Department of Health’s new “Modified Monash Model” classification system that categorises areas according to both geographical remoteness and town size. The system was developed to recognise the challenges in attracting health workers to more remote and smaller communities. Medical professionals moving from major city areas to Cowra may be entitled to relocation and retention benefits from the General Practice Rural Incentives Program.

Click here for more information on the General Practice Rural Incentives Program.

Council Contact
Ponie De Wet
Business Officer
pdewet@cowra.nsw.gov.au
02 6340 2038
0407 234 497

The Cowra region has a strong network of medical and health services including dentists, GP practices, a district hospital and an established, well respected community Health Council. Specialist services available in Cowra include a chiropractor, optometrists, orthodontist, osteopaths, physiotherapists, podiatrists and psychologists.

The Cowra Health Service provides a wide variety of services to the communities of Cowra and the outlying villages of Woodstock and Wyangala. There are approximately 125 staff members employed at Cowra Health services with the full time equivalent of 95. Medical services are provided by the local GP workforce and visiting specialists who are contracted to the Health Service.

Recreation facilities

Council maintains twelve high-quality sporting facilities. Swimming pools in the region include the excellent Cowra Aquatic Centre and the charming Woodstock village swimming pool.

Click here for more information on the Cowra Shire recreational facilities.

Cowra Art Gallery

Since opening in October 2000 the Cowra Regional Art Gallery has made a significant contribution to the cultural life of Cowra and the surrounding region. The Gallery offers a diverse and changing program including significant state and national touring exhibitions, curated projects featuring contemporary art and craft practices and permanent collection exhibitions

Festival of International Understanding

Cowra Festival of International Understanding is a community-based event focusing on Cowra’s unique place as the home of reconciliation. Proudly hosting Australia’s World Peace Bell — this honour derived from Cowra’s first-hand experience of war with the POW Breakout of Japanese prisoners in 1944.

The Festival originated in the mid-1960s at a time when the town was coming to recognise the benefits of promoting understanding between nations. It is a credit to the local community — and recognition of their support for this first event — that the Festival immediately grabbed the public’s attention

Sakura Matsuri – Cherry Blossom Festival

Sakura Matsuri is a major event on Cowra’s tourism calendar, celebrating the birth of spring. The festival attracts national and international performers. Sakura at the Cowra Japanese Garden is celebrated annually in September when the cherry blossoms are at their peak.

For more information on the many festivals and events in Cowra, please refer to the excellent Cowra Tourism website.

• 

  Dr Dave Richmond

  Cowra GP

  I live out of town and I can get home in less than 10 minutes without any traffic. I’m in a place where I’m quite happy to be on a weekend. I don’t really feel like driving to the coast thanks. This’ll do. READ MORE

• 

  Laura Proctor

  Child and Family Health Nurse, Cowra

  I love everything about my Job. I love the work, the people, the families and the family friendly hours! We have a great lifestyle in the country... READ MORE

In the Cowra region, your child will have the opportunity to live the healthy, nurturing country lifestyle people dream of.

Several child care centres are located in the Cowra region and there are eight public schools. There is also a Western Institute of TAFE campus

Primary schools
• Cowra Public
• Mulyan Public School
• Holman Place Public School
• St Raphael’s Catholic School (K–6)

Secondary schools
• Cowra High School (7–12)
• St Raphael’s Catholic School (7–10)

Private Schools with boarding facilities are located on hour away in Bathurst and Orange.

Sporting clubs are very popular with children in country towns, from the social Swim Club get togethers at the local pool on lazy summer Friday evenings, to the rugby union, rugby league, soccer, netball, hockey and cricket teams for all ages.

Where you live and work is just as important to your spouse as it is to you. We are here to help you and your spouse feel welcomed into our community. We will do all we can to help your spouse settle in to the community, to find employment, to find new friends and to find the right information about schools, training, clubs, activities to suit his or her lifestyle.

Please speak to Cowra’s Beyond the Range contact, Mr Ponie De Wet regarding employment opportunities and contacts to assist your spouse to find the perfect job and lifestyle in Cowra.

Council Contact
Ponie De Wet
Business Officer
02-6340 2038
0407 234497
pdewet@cowra.nsw.gov.au

These photos show examples of properties that have been for sale in the past.

The average house price in Cowra is currently $225,000 – very affordable compared to the metropolitan housing market. Classic, large, double brick bungalows, for example, are easy to find in the region, within the villages or out on your own piece of land.

To browse properties currently in the market in and around Cowra, please go to www.realestate.com.au

If you have any further questions about relocating to Cowra please speak to Cowra’s Beyond the Range contact

Ponie De Wet

Business Officer

pdewet@cowra.nsw.gov.au

02 6340 2038

0407 234 497