We decided to combine a visit to Cowra (for the Sakura Matsuri - Cherry Blossom Festival at the Cowra Japanese Garden) with a visit to Canberra (for the Floriade festival). This is the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that both festivals have returned to full force.
| Day | Date | Location | Hotel | Itinerary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fri 23 September | Cowra | Cowra Motor Inn | Bathurst, Canola, Japanese War Cemetery |
| 2 | Sat 24 September | Cowra | Nicholls | Sakura Matsuri Festival |
| 3 | Sun 25 September | Canberra | Nicholls | Floriade, Connections |
| 4 | Mon 26 September | Home | Tulip Top Gardens |
We had lunch at Pantano's Bar and Grill.
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After lunch, we stopped by briefly to take photos of the cherry blossoms around Kings Parade.
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On the way to Cowra, we stopped by at the roadside to admire the Canola fields.
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We arrived in Cowra in the afternoon, and there was just enough time to look at the Japanese war cemetery.
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We had dinner at the Imperial Hotel in Cowra.
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I woke up early in the morning and explored the murals on Cowra Bridge before buying breakfast at McDonalds.
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The highlight of our trip was visiting the Cowra Japanese Garden during the Sakura Matsuri festival.
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We had an American lunch at The Ironbark Smoked Barbecue at the Mill.
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We reached Canberra in the afternoon and stopped by at One Tree Hill to admire the water tank mural.
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Dinner at SoupStone in Acton followed by dessert and breakfast provisions at 85 Cafe.
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Floriade, Australia’s Biggest Celebration of Spring, returns to Commonwealth Park in Canberra.
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After Floriade, we walked to Civic and had lunch at Ms Ba Co.
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After lunch we visited the National Museum of Australia, mainly to see Connection.
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Songlines from Australia’s First Peoples in a spectacular immersive experience at the National Museum.
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Our final stop of the day is the relatively little known Parliament House Garden.
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Last day of the trip! Some of us went outlet shopping, but we chose to go to Tulip Top Gardens
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We stopped by at McDonalds Sutton Forest on the way home for a much needed cup of coffee.
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