Places of interest

2024-01-02 -

1 HOT-AIR BALLOON FLIGHTS

Canowindra is proud of its reputation as Australia’s go-to place for hot-air ballooning. Floating above the countryside is a charming adventure – and definitely one of the best ways to experience Canowindra. To book a ride at Balloon Joy Flights, call 02 6344 1819 or visit balloonjoyflights.com.au

2 EXPERIENCE GASKILL STREET HISTORY

Gaskill Street, Canowindra’s main street, is something of a rarity – a former bullock track lined with architecture from the Victorian and Federation eras. Today, these beautifully preserved and restored buildings house boutiques and other local businesses. They include the Melissa Barber Galleries, Finns Store and Perennialle Plants Emporium Cafe and Nursery. Don’t miss the Royal Hotel, built in 1910 on the site of Robinson’s Hotel, which was famously taken over for three days by bushranger Ben Hall and his gang in 1863.

3 THE AGE OF FISHES MUSEUM

Canowindra’s 360-million-year-old fish fossils were discovered by chance in 1955, about 10km west of Canowindra. The fossils are some of the most significant from the late Devonian Period (383–359 million years ago). They formed when a body of water dried up during a drought, killing thousands of fish. Over time, the fish were covered in silt and buried for millions of years. Some 4000 fossilised fish from eight species have been discovered at the site, including armoured placoderms and lobe-finned fish. When Sir David Attenborough visited the award-winning Age of Fishes Museum in 2013, he described the collection of fossils as “world class”. The museum has some excellent hands-on educational displays and an exciting range of permanent exhibitions and activities.

4 CANOWINDRA HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Situated beside Memorial Park at 117 Gaskill Street, this museum narrates the evolution of Canowindra from a frontier township to a pivotal rural center. Noteworthy exhibits include a shepherd’s hut c.1828, a fully preserved 1930s dental surgery, a collection of wedding gowns dating from the early 1880s, a reconstructed woolshed, 19th and 20th-century agricultural machinery, an extensive photo collection, and the Pioneers’ Wall. Operated by dedicated volunteers, the museum is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 10am–1pm, or by appointment. Entry is free. canowindrahistory.com

5 BLIND FREDDY’S BUSHRANGER TOURS

Step back in time to the 1860s and discover Canowindra’s history and thrilling bushranger lore with Blind Freddy’s Bushranger Tours. Visit the locations where Frank Gardiner, Johnny Gilbert and Ben Hall roamed, robbed and roistered. There are a number of tours to choose from, including the Canowindra walking tour. blindfreddytours.com/tours

?? ?? Canowindra’s slab of fossilised fish, on display in the Age of Fishes Museum, features creatures that died more than 100 million years before the first dinosaurs emerged. — Canowindra’s slab of fossilised fish, on display in the Age of Fishes Museum, features creatures that died more than 100 million years before the first dinosaurs emerged.

?? ?? Canowindra’s Perennialle Plants specialises in shrubs and perennials that are frost-and drought-tolerant. — Canowindra’s Perennialle Plants specialises in shrubs and perennials that are frost-and drought-tolerant.