Heritage, Hospitality & Heart
Located in Cowra, NSW, in the heart of central west NSW, the Imperial Hotel is at the centre of the town—an area famous for its wine, rich history, and of course its lamb.
The original application to build the first-class Imperial Hotel was lodged in April 1904. Completed in June 1905, the Imperial Hotel was built by John Connolly for £4000.00; many of the Internal fittings, including the bar, were purchased from the Royal Hotel in Sydney. The original plans were for an imposing three-story building with fifty rooms and a ten-stall brick stable. In 1914, both hot and cold water were added to the building, and an automatic glass washing apparatus was installed. The original verandahs, which spanned the front of the first floor, were demolished in 1955 by order of the council, who did not deem it necessary to preserve them. Today, the front façade of the Imperial Hotel is heritage-listed.
The Prisoner of War camp provides a point of interest for local history buffs to see the site of the largest prisoner of war breakout in Australia with the Information Centre offering a holographic display explaining the history of the breakout.
The Cowra Japanese Garden & Cultural Centre is the largest Japanese garden in the Southern Hemisphere, offering a serene and culturally rich experience for visitors. The garden spans 12.5 acres and is a beautiful representation of Japanese landscape design, created by Ken Nakajimaand Opened in 1979. the garden symbolizes peace and reconciliation between Australia and Japan, particularly in remembrance of the Japanese prisoners of war who were held in Cowra during World War II.
In March the International Festival of Understanding is held celebrating different cultures each year with several local events such as long lunches in the vineyards and a parade through the town to celebrate the attending guest nation.
In Spring the area becomes a tapestry of yellow fields as the canola crops bloom providing photographers with the opportunity to capture breathtaking panoramas.
Offering both ensuite rooms and shared bathroom facilities, there is a variety of accommodation options to suit your needs. All rooms are air conditioned and non-smoking with TV, free Wi-Fi and tea/coffee facilities. All accommodation is located on the first floor of the hotel.
