The much-loved canola season has returned, bringing a burst of golden colour to the Central West and offering a welcome boost to tourism after the quiet of winter.
This year, visitors are invited to explore the rolling fields of gold on self-drive tours, covering Cowra and neighbouring towns including Canowindra, Grenfell, and Woodstock.
“Canola season is one of the most significant times of the year for Cowra and the surrounding region,” Cowra Tourism Corporation Tourism Manager, Courtney Preo, said.
“It’s a time where we see strong visitation with travelers from Sydney and Canberra discovering, or often rediscovering the beauty of the Central West.”
This year marks a change in how the canola season is experienced.
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After years of guided bus tours, the retirement of long-time tour guide means a new approach.
“After many successful years of running guided bus tours, our much-loved local tour guide has retired,” Ms Preo said.
“While we can’t offer those guided experiences this season, we’re embracing a new approach that still allows visitors to enjoy the incredible landscapes.”
Instead, the region is offering self-drive tours, with five suggested routes linking towns across the Central West.
Designed by Cowra Tourism Corporation’s Marketing Officer, Stassi Austin, the trail connects five scenic routes linking Cowra with Canowindra, Grenfell, Woodstock and Koorawatha.
“The self-guided map gives visitors the flexibility to explore at their own pace, discover hidden corners of the region, and of course, take in the spectacular canola views,” Ms Preo said.
"Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the golden landscapes safely, pulling over only when and where it is safe to do so and from behind fence lines.
“While we absolutely want people to enjoy our canola season, we need everyone to do so responsibly.”
Visitors are encouraged to “take the road less travelled” through the Wiradjuri countryside, where rolling fields stretch to the horizon.
From early morning light to the warm glow of golden hour, each route promises unforgettable views and plenty of opportunities to stop and take photos from behind the fence line.
Alongside the excitement, strong safety messaging is being shared to protect both visitors and farmers.
“These are working farms and the livelihood of our community,” Ms Preo said.
“Please respect our farmers, protect biosecurity, and never enter the fields or private property.”
Visitors are reminded that canola fields are on private property.
Entering paddocks without permission is trespassing and unsafe.
Drivers are also urged to take care on local roads and highways during the busy season.
While canola is a tourism attraction, it is also a vital crop for Australian agriculture.
A member of the Brassica family, canola is the country’s third-largest crop, producing around two million tonnes annually.
Australian canola is widely used in margarine, cooking oils, dressings, sauces, and biofuel production.
Visitors following the self-drive trail can explore several scenic routes across the region.
Canowindra, which is 35km away, you can enjoy sweeping patchwork views of gold and green fields.
The trail to Woodstock offers historic charm among the golden paddocks.
A 27km drive to Koorawatha has many sloping hills of golden canola.
Trail drivers can stop at the Hotel Koorawatha, or continue on to Young and visit the Hilltops Visitor Information Centre for more of their regions' canola trails.
Grenfell, 56km away from Cowra, has its own self-drive canola trail.
Participants can stop in at the Grenfell Visitor Information Centre to learn more.
"Private Property signs are are available for farmers to collect from the Visitor Information Centre as well as Heartland Rural, helping to remind visitors to view the canola only from a safe spot on the roadside,” Ms Preo said.
“For those wanting a different perspective, we are once again partnering with Fly Oz, giving both locals and visitors the unforgettable option of experiencing the golden fields from the air on a scenic flight."
This is bookable online at www.visitcowra.com.au/cowra-canola-experiences
For more information about the self drive canola trails, you can visit the Cowra Visitor and Information Centre.
