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Nowra is located about 160 km south of Sydney, and about 80 km south of Wollongong on the Princes Highway. It is the principal town in the Shoalhaven district, and has a population of over 35,000 people. It is a popular tourist destination with a wide range of river and water activities. ‘Nowra’ is said to be a Tharawal First Nations word meaning ‘black cockatoo’ or ‘camping place’.

There are several museums in the area, including the Nowra Museum above. It is home to the Shoalhaven Historical Society and opened in 1980. The building was a police station and lockup, constructed in 1900 and in use until the 1970s. It was designed by Government Architect Walter Liberty Vernon. The water trough in the foreground is one of the Annis & George Bills troughs. You can read more about their legacy here.

A key location in many regional towns is the showground. It is situated next to the Nowra Reserve, alongside the Shoalhaven River. The Nowra Show Society dates back to 1874, and is celebrating 150 years this year. The grandstand was completed in January 1905, with major renovations completed for the 1988 show.

The Memorial Gates are located at the entrance to the showground. They were designed by Cyril Blacket, who had won a competition to design the war memorial. Cyril Blacket was the son of Colonial Architect Edmund Blacket, and there is an overview of his life and achievements here. The striking sculpture was designed by Otto Steen, and it was unveiled on 23 March 1968. You can read more about the Soldiers Memorial here.

Public art is a feature of the streetscape throughout Nowra, with a wide range of installations and murals located throughout the city centre. You can see some wonderful murals here.

Another feature of progressive towns in the 19th century was the Mechanics Institute or School of Arts building. This building was also designed by Cyril Blacket, and built in 1892. It played an important role in the town’s social life, and was a popular venue for community and entertainment events. It was also home to the shire council and library over the decades. The building has survived despite demolition threats in the 1980s. There are some lovely photos of the internal layout available on the council website.

You can find out more about Nowra and the Shoalhaven district here. Have you had a wander around Nowra?

Photo: Nowra street views