DESTINATION: Canowindra

Hot-air balloons floating silently overhead have earned this Central West town the title 'Balloon Capital of Australia'. Canowindra lies in a natural basin on the Belubula River, 335km west of Sydney. The weather is almost always calm and conditions are usually ideal for balloon flights over the countryside.

Main Attractions

There are 3 local balloon flight operators and many people travel to Canowindra for this experience alone. An interesting time to visit is during Marti's Balloon Fiesta, a special 4-day annual event, held late March/early April, attracting thousands of visitors. Gaskill St, Canowindra's main street, follows the route of an old bullock track. It is lined with early commercial buildings and is classified by the National Trust as a Heritage Conservation Area. There are many antique shops, a local memorabilia museum and a gallery offering quality crafts. One of the great fossil sites in Australia was discovered between Canowindra and Gooloogong in 1955. Approximately 3500 fossils, dating to 360 million years, have been recovered, many of them complete. Seven new species have been discovered, with more expected. The collection is displayed at the Age of Fishes Museum, in Gaskill St, open daily and most holidays, 10am-4pm.

Nearby attractions

Canowindra lies in the Cabonne Shire, a rich agricultural district famous for the abundance and quality of its fresh produce. Many shops provide the opportunity to sample all kinds of locally grown food. Bushwalking, historic sites and highly regarded wineries dot the surrounding areas.

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Region: Explorer Country

Post Office in historic Hill End, Explorer Country

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From the gold rush towns of Sofala and Hill End to remote sheep stations, Central NSW Explorer Country provides the visitor with an unforgettable bush experience - where history comes alive before your very eyes. Central NSW offers a diverse range of discovery-type experiences, a highlight of which is the famous Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. There are 14 National Parks and nature reserves to discover - including Wollemi National Park in the south to the Warrumbungles in the north - and many opportunities to explore underground at Abercrombie Caves and the Wellington Caves and Phosphate Mine. more

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Tourist info

Age of Fishes Museum, Gaskill St, Ph: (02) 6344 1008

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