We planned our stop over at Canowindra (pronounced Canowndra) so we could visit the Age of Fishes Museum and then discovered that the Balloon Challenge - hot air balloon competition - would be on at the same time. Canowindra is about 200km north of Canberra between Cowra and Dubbo. It has many fine examples of art deco architecture.
The Age of Fishes Museum is well worth a visit. In the Devonian Age (165m years ago) this area was covered in water. When the water dried up, fish were stranded in the mud. Why did the water dry up? No one knows. It could have been a catastrophic event or maybe a long period of drought. As with many fossil sites, this one was found accidentally.
The museum has casts of many fossils including the only known example of Canowindra Grossi. We were the first members of the public to see the new AV display with a 3D model of the Canowindra Grossi swimming. As well as the fish there are many other fossils including an archaeopteryx. The entry fee includes an excellent audio tour.
There were about 14 balloons in town for the competition and we were treated to seeing them while we were there.
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