This past week has been a bit emotional for me. On Friday we remembered the events of ten years ago in Bali. I needed a break and Bron had very kindly organised a weekend away with her sons and me. The destination was to be Cowra with nothing specific planned except dinner at Tommy’s Bistro in the Imperial Hotel. We knew that Cowra was known for the Japanese Garden and the prisoner of war camp. The POW camp is the site of the Cowra Break out.
We stayed at the Vineyard Motel on Chardonnay Street in Cowra. This is a small but well presented motel. The best thing is the heated floor of the bathroom and main living area. This is so good on cold nights and mornings. I would recommend this motel as accommodation a little out of the town centre and in amongst grape vines.
For higher resolution views, click on the images and they’ll open up into bigger clearer images.
Vineyard Motel
In amongst the grapevines
Grapevines
Bird bath
In the Afternoon we went and headed into town to find a pie for lunch and then ate it in a local park.
Tomato and onion pie with coke
After lunch we ventured to the Japanese Garden. This is truly a delightful place to visit. It is so serene and tranquil. I would highly recommend visiting.
Bonsai
Water feature
After the garden we went to the Cowra POW Camp site.
The replica guard tower
The grounds where the site was
On Saturday evening we went and had dinner at Tommy’s Bistro in the Imperial Hotel.
Both Bron and I enjoyed the crispy crackling pork belly and scallops for an entrée and then a rare Scotch fillet steak on Paris mach for our main meal. For dessert I had a sticky date pudding with Queensland nuts and ice cream. The service was fast and friendly. The decor very warm and inviting. I would highly recommend Tommy’s Bistro for a dinner.
Garlic bread
Crispy crackling pork belly with scallops
Scotch fillet and prawns with Paris mashed potato
Sticky date and Queensland nut pudding
After a good sleep we enjoyed a motel breakfast. I had peanut paste and orange marmalade on whole grain toast.
Our intention for the morning was to go for a walk in a national park and then visit a winery for lunch.
The Wallaby Walking Trail in the Conimbla National Park is an easy walk of a couple of kilometres. The brochure from the Cowra Visitors’ Centre suggested the walk would take 30 minutes. The sign at the trail suggests 1 hour. In the end it took us about 40 minutes after a couple of water stops. You can see our route on my RunKeeper site.
In the end we didn’t get to a winery but we did find Taste Canowindra. A delightful venue for wine, art and music plus great food.
I had a chicken terrine made with crushed strawberries. It was really very good. I would recommend this place to anyone who wanted a good lunch on the way home to Canberra.
When I got to my place I made myself a chicken red curry with lychees and pineapple.
Tommy’s Bistro
Japanese Garden
Vineyard Motel
Edgell Park
Related articles
- Japanese gardens (weewonderfuls.com)
