At this time of year, the town of Canowindra is enjoying Christmas in July, a celebration intending to mimic the northern hemisphere’s white wintery Christmases. Many events are organised as part of the celebrations including
the Christmas in July Window Competition which inspires local businesses to get into the spirit of Christmas by decorating their shop windows.
The old Hardware Shop on Gaskill Street has become a showcase for elaborate window displays that change regularly to reflect either the time of year or a special celebration. The windows are a project of Tommy Jeffs’ from Deli Lama across the road and have become an attraction for visitors to the town. Stop in for a coffee and admire the display from across the street.
Canowindra is a historic village nestled among the rolling hills and spectacular landscapes of Cabonne. The town has a reputation of being a friendly and inviting community with warm and helpful locals. The quirky, curvy main street of Canowindra is lined with heritage listed buildings adding to a strong tourism culture built around history, art, food and of course wine. Canowindra is also Australia’s premier balloon flying region– the ultimate way to get a spectacular view of the flawless landscape.
The town boasts a thriving restaurant and café culture as well as several incredible vineyards producing some of the best wines in the region. It’s been five years since Jackie and Geoff Yeo restored the iconic building in Canowindra known to locals as “Finns Store”. Together they transformed the desolate, silent shop into a vibrant centre of social activity. The mix of coffee, food, clothing, jewellery, and furniture gives the shop a sense of old world
charm merged with modern expectations.
To complement the wonderful food served and the functions being held, the store has recently become fully licensed! Customers have an amazing choice of local and imported beers and local wines. Since it opened, Finns Store has gained the reputation of being one of the regions must visit experiences. Geoff and Jackie believe that the central location of the store gives people an opportunity to make an escape for the day to a venue and town that feels like another world, without needing to travel long distances.
Finns Store is a venue where locals can mix with visitors; a venue that promotes wonderful wines, food and art; a venue that has an array of clothing, jewellery and furniture; truly a ‘licensed cafe emporium’ which can make you feel you have entered another world.
Check out the Age of Fishes Museum to discover the 360 million year old history of this land.