How to See Cowra’s Canola Fields

Every spring, the countryside puts on one of its best shows, and there is no better place to base yourself than Cowra to explore rolling fields of gold.

Rolling hills and open farmland transform into a patchwork of brilliant yellow and green, with canola fields stretching across the landscape and some spectacular views waiting around the next bend.

And the best way to see it? Take the road less travelled.

We’ve put together a few of our favourite scenic loops from Cowra, from an easy drive through the backroads to Woodstock, to a day exploring Canowindra, or a bigger weekend adventure through some of the most beautiful farming country in the region.

Along the way, stop for a country pub lunch, discover our villages, grab a great coffee, find a lookout and enjoy those big Central West views.

Want to know where the canola is looking best?

Ask a local.

Canola changes every year; what’s planted, where it’s planted, and when it flowers. Our team at the Cowra Visitor Information Centre keeps an eye on what’s happening across the region. Pop in before you head out and ask us about our scenic backroads and favourite safe places to stop. We’ll help point you in the right direction.

Enjoy the view. Respect the farm.

Those spectacular yellow paddocks aren’t just beautiful, they’re someone’s livelihood.

Please never enter a paddock, go through a gate or climb over a fence without the landholder’s permission. Trespassing can attract significant fines, crops can be easily damaged, and snakes are particularly fond of the shelter canola provides.

Stay behind the fence, take your photos from public areas and leave every crop exactly as you found it.

And remember, you’re travelling on country roads. Drive to the conditions, stay clear of the roadway and only pull over where it is safe and legal to do so.

Then turn up the playlist, take the scenic road and go chase some gold.

The Canowindra Loop

Approx. 75–85km return | Allow 2–3 hours plus stops

Head north from Cowra to Canowindra, where the drive is only the beginning. Stretch your legs along the historic main street and stop for coffee at Perennialle Plants, browse the shops (don’t miss the newly opened Edellen Flowers), or settle in for a bite at The Old Vic Hotel. Before you depart for more canola chasing, Step back 360 million years at the Age of Fishes Museum

Then take the road less travelled home. Travel back towards Cowra via Rosnay Estate and Billimari, where the countryside opens into broad sweeps of yellow on either side of the road.

It’s an easy drive combining canola country, great food and one of the region’s most character-filled villages.

See it on google maps (us as a guide only)

The Woodstock Loop

Approx. 65–75km return | Allow 1.5–2.5 hours plus stops

Head out of Cowra along Darbys Falls Road, where you’re met with fields of yellow immediately. Travel through the rolling hills for approximately 20km before turning left onto Pine Mount Road, follow the back roads to the historic Woodstock Hotel for a pub meal or grab a coffee from Hello Daisy before making your way back towards Cowra via the Mid-Western Highway; keep your eyes on the landscape as you approach the highway, some of the most expansive fields on this loop can be found here.

Extend the loop (worth it);

Head across to Canowindra from Woodstock, more fields of gold and a beautiful historic village made for weekend adventures.
Drive further along Darbys falls road and take in the spectacular Wyangala Dam; 2.5 times the size of Sydney Harbour and epic views from Elliots Lookout and the dam wall; pack a picnic, lace up your hiking shoes and experience one of the regions best kept secrets.

See it on Google Maps (use only as a guide)

The Weekend Loop

Approx. 150 – 200km return | Allow 4 – 5 hours -> fully day

Depart Cowra on the Olympic Highway, travelling through Koorawatha before turning onto Scenic Road- this is an unsealed road, drive carefully and always to the conditions.

The reward is classic Central West scenery, expansive canola fields, rolling farmland and country views. Make Touts Lookout your hero stop, where the landscape spreads out below in a patchwork of green and gold.

Continue through Monteagle towards Bulla Creek Brewery (open Friday nights, Sat and Sun during the day) before looping back through Greenethorpe. Stop at the Shamrock Hotel/ Cafe for a break (excellent Frapes), then continue through the rolling hills towards Bumbaldry Road, the Mid Western Highway and home to Cowra.

Options for extending the loop:

Head west from Greenethorpe and take in the town of Grenfell, pop into the the Art Gallery and don’t miss the Grenfell Photographic Gallery.
Head South from Bulla Creek/ Monteagle to Ballinaclash Orchard and Cellar Door for delicious wines and cherry products- including the best cherry pie in the region (as voted by us).

Check it out on google maps (use only as a guide)

The Chiverton Loop- Drive or Cycle

26km loop | Drive it or ride it

Stay close to Cowra and watch the landscape change along the Chiverton Loop. Leaving from the Cowra Visitor Information Centre the route winds through picturesque countryside, passing rows of vines before opening out into farmland and those spectacular fields of gold.

At just 26.6km, it’s an easy scenic drive or a beautiful ride for those wanting to experience canola country at a slower pace. Follow the route through Chiverton Road, Burnie Hielman Street, Noonbinna Road and Boorowa Road before looping back into Cowra.

On two wheels? Check out the Cowra Rides Guide for the full mapped route and more great rides around the region.

Before You Go

Canola is generally at its spectacular best for a relatively short period and where you’ll find the brightest fields changes from year to year.

That’s where a little local knowledge comes in.

Call into the Cowra Visitor Information Centre before your drive. Our team can point you towards what’s looking good, suggest local scenic loops and help you turn your canola drive into a great day out in the Cowra region.

Look. Photograph. Enjoy. But please leave every crop exactly as you found it.