Three reasons to stop in Canowindra when road-tripping this winter
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‘Three reasons to stop in Canowindra?’ I hear you ask. Yes, really. And here they are.
If you’re hitting the road this winter to explore Central New South Wales, the small town of Canowindra (pronounced ka-noun-dra) might just be the perfect destination for a pit stop. Situated between Cowra and Orange, this sweet little township is often overlooked by travellers—even though it’s packed with history, character, and acclaimed vineyards.
Read on for your inspiration to put Canowindra on the map. You can thank me later.
Stop off at Rosnay Organic
Signage welcoming visitors to Rosnay Organic Wines, Canowindra.
Remember how I mentioned ‘acclaimed vineyards’? A stop at Rosnay Organic should be at the top of your list before venturing into the town of Canowindra itself. Pioneering organic and sustainable vineyards since 1997, at this family-run farm you’ll not only find a cellar door and winery but also an art shop, and a storefront where you can buy their own olive and fig products (including an amazing fig preserve). And from designing the labels themselves to constantly adding new amenities to the farm (at the moment there’s a glamping tent and a farm stay as well as plans to build an outdoor kitchen for woodfire pizzas), you’ll quickly wonder what this talented family can’t do.
Stop in for a tasting of their products paired with an organic and preservative-free wine tasting or just enjoy exploring the products and artworks—you never know what goodies you might find.
510 Rivers Road, Canowindra | rosnay.com.au
Explore the Age of Fishes Museum
Charli McCarron’s Fossil Car on display at the Age of Fishes Museum Inc. museum in Canowindra.
Did you know that thousands of fish fossils were found near Canowindra—and it was one of the most important scientific discoveries made when it comes to understanding the Devonian Period? Housed in the Age of Fishes Museum, you can now see them for yourself.
Perfect for families or anyone interested in learning about the history of the world, this special museum not only displays the mind-boggling fossils from 360 to 370 million years ago but provides fascinating information about the Ages of Fishes. A pro-tip is to bring a picnic blanket to fully enjoy the gardens on a sunny day—which feature a geological time walk—while the kids run wild and play with the interactive displays. There are also live aquarium displays, educational videos, and great explanations of what life was like when fish ruled the world.
And why ‘fishes’ instead of ‘fish’? Because here many species of fish are showcased, not just one. You’ll need a few hours for this one.
129 Gaskill Street, Canowindra | agefishes.com
Shop (and eat) at Finns Store and Perennialle Plants
Couple purchasing homewares at Finns Store emporium in Canowindra.
Looking for a coffee or a bite to eat? Ask anyone who has been to Canowindra before and they’ll say Finns Store or Perennialle Plants Nursey, Café and Emporium are the places to go.
While both serve good coffee and plenty of nibbles to choose from, at Finns Store you’ll also find clothing, furniture, jewellery, and local artwork, making it a great place to pick up something small. And if you hadn’t guessed it from the name, Perennialle Plants is a heaven for plant lovers—because as well as an onsite café, it also houses a nursery and an emporium packed with everything you could need to keep your plants alive (as well as a carefully curated selection of yummy local and regional produce for yourself). The best part? They’re right near each other, so it’s easy to hop between picking up a new pair of earrings and picking up a rare, frost and dry-tolerant plants. See you there?
35 Gaskill Street and 29 Gaskill Street Canowindra | facebook.com/Finnsstore35 | perennialle.com.au
Photography: Destination NSW.
