How a country escape can help recharge the soul

With so many people working longer hours as well as feeling the stresses of everyday life in the big cities, more people are choosing to take vacations and short getaways in the country to take in a little bit of fresh air. This part of the world has some breath taking scenery to look forward to, so why not take what many people call a staycation and enjoy some parts of the country that may surprise you with its natural beauty.

For those with a liking for the great outdoors, New South Wales has some of the most iconic locations to recharge your batteries with national parks, nature walks, rock climbing and a whole host of other activities for those who relax by keeping active. The NSW country side offers a whole host of surprises around each corner including music festivals and country fairs.

Idyllic townships and country life

For those looking to truly unwind in the country and get some much needed rest and relaxation, Canowindra has to be one of the top destinations for both a relaxing and entertaining vacation. This beautiful little township located in the central west of NSW offers a slice of small town life with its many traditional era buildings and roads.

Known internationally for its impressive hot air balloon festival, this remarkable event takes place every year to give the area its nickname as the “balloon capital of Australia”. With many different events to coincide with this famous festival, why not treat yourself and a loved one to a magical balloon ride, with a luxury dinner date later in the evening.

Get a taste for fine dining

Canowindra is well known for its links to local vineyards, wineries, gourmet restaurants and art exhibitions, making this idyllic town a hub for cultural and heritage fans. Featuring many boutique hotels and rooms to rent, Canowindra offers a chance to take the perfect getaway from any part of the country to enjoy the finer things in life.

Taste Canowindra is one of the more popular hubs of entertainment, fine dining and art featuring an accomplished and award-winning chef, a superb collection of locally produced wines and one of the best music scenes in the region. Why not take a trip to visit one of the local vineyards like Rosnay where you will find their latest seasons Reds and Whites that will leave your taste buds tickling for a bit to eat. You can taste Rosnay and all the other local labels at taste Canowindra.

An extended stay is a must for this region and with so many different things to do such as enjoy the growing music scene in the area as well as shop in some of the townships boutique artisanal shops it may be hard to leave. Canowindra is one of those places that stays long in your memories and lives long in your heart well after you get back to everyday life.

Canowindra

Canowindra is a small country town which is fondly referred to as the balloon capital of Australia. It has a population of about 2,000 people. The town is located right in the middle of a natural basin, and has a stable weather pattern. The close network of road & lanes that surround Canowindra, make it easy for balloon crews to retrieve balloons & passengers on landing. There are numerous sites and attractions surrounding this small country town and within its precincts.

All amenities needed to make one’s living comfortable and pleasant are readily available here. There are many bed and breakfast cottages plus standard hotel accommodation and guest houses eager to welcome and pamper visitors. Also, lots of fun and leisure activities can be enjoyed in Canowindra from golf to wine tasting , great art galleries and great shopping opportunities. There are caravan parks, swimming pools, and well-kept gardens that are conducive for picnics and other outdoor events.

The fun does not begin and end outdoors in Canowindra as there is a quaint historic main street that houses different shopping outlets where you can purchase antiques , giftware, art and all the necessities of life. Back in the 1990’s an historic discovery of ancient fish fossils which have been preserved under a rock for about 360 million years, saw the founding of The Age of Fishes Museum. This museum (one of only 2 fish fossil museums in the entire world) houses fossils of over 3,000 species of Devonian fish. The town also hosts a wonderful Balloon festival The Canowindra Balloon Challenge which grew out of the Marti’s Fiesta a ballooning event, (one of the biggest balloon festivals in Australia). In 2013 The Balloon Challenge will be host to the National Ballooning Championships.

There are many interesting sites, typical of the tourist attractions in NSW, that attract people to this small country town; some of them include wineries and vineyards, the Pioneer Museum, Morris Park, Groote Cottage, and Escort Rock. Almost everything is available here, and there is so much one can do.