New South Wales
click on the links to each gallery
then click "slideshow"



click here for Japanese Gardens, Cowra

At 1:50 am on August 5th, 1944 around 1000 Japanese prisoners of war in the central New South Wales town of Cowra launched a suicidal rush on the barbed wire and machine guns of their prison camp.  231 Japanese died and 4 Australians when by force of numbers they finally overcame defences.  Nine days later the last of the escapees was recaptured.  Despite unbelievable Japanese brutality to Australian prisoners of war, the local Returned Serviceman's League cared for the graves of the Japanese, a simple act which ultimately led to acts of reconciliation of a diplomatic level resulting in one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens outside Japan being established in 1978.  The garden designed by Ken Nakajima, symbolically represents the landscape of Japan, and also Zen principles.  It is a remarkably beautiful garden, and I was struck by the peaceful atmosphere which even seemed to be appreciated by the local bird life.



click here for Byron Bay

Byron Bay is an iconic surfing and lifestyle region in northern New South Wales



click here for Byron Hinterland

In northern New South Wales lies Byron Bay, the most easterly point of the Australian continent.  When I arrived in the region my attention was drawn to Mount Warning, a steep mountain, greatly worn down from its original size.  Photos include idyllic Brunswick Heads, Murwillumbah where I caught the banana festival, an iconic surfing destination Lennox Head, Ballina, Lismore which typical of many Australian regional cities has some quite exotic architecture from previous prosperous times, and "new age" Bangalow.  



click here for South Coast of New South Wales

Sandwiched between the sea and forested mountains, the south coast of New South Wales has one lovely river estuary after another.   The Shoalhaven river became the base for Arthur Boyd, a notable Australian artist.   It became the subject for a series of paintings, each in a different mood, many of which can be seen at the State Theatre of Victoria.
click here for Arthur Boyd paintings




click here for Sydney and Blue Mountains