Cowra Voices

How did Cowra, a small country town in Central West NSW become arguably the only peace tourism destination in Australia? Listen to Cowra locals, both young and old, tell the story of how the tragic Cowra Breakout of 1944 became the catalyst for an enduring friendship between Cowra and the Japanese people. The Cowra Breakout was the biggest prisoner breakout during World War II when more than 1000 Japanese POWs escaped, ending in 234 deaths. Cowra Voices guides users using geolocative technology through the many sites of historic significance like the POW Camp, the Cowra Japanese Garden & Cultural Centre, Australia's World Peace Bell, and Sakura Avenue, all symbols of this peace and civic reconciliation. Cowra Voices links people and stories to place, and enables users to experience history through intimate narratives that have to date remained mostly untold.