A pleasant country town with a population of approximately 2,000. Amenities include a Motel, several Hotels, Guest houses, a Caravan Park, Swimming Pool, Bowling, Golf and Services Clubs as well as several well maintained parks, ideal for picnics. Canowindra is popularly known as the Balloon Capital of Australia. One of the largest festivals in Australia take place here every April.   Balloons fly when the weather is stable. Flights take place at daybreak and two hours before sunset. A delightful olde world shopping centre, built in a dog leg formation, traces the old bullock team road and hosts several specialty and antique shops. Canowindra became the centre of attention when an ancient fish fossil site was discovered near the town. The fossils are believed to be 360 million years old, preserved in rock. The "Age of Fishes" Museum caters for interested groups and individual visits at the Research and Learning Centre in Gaskill Street, ( opposite the town pool ) Canowindra. The above extract originally from 'The Cowra District Visitor's Guide, 1996'.