BOWRAVILLE Bowraville is a short drive from Nambucca Heads, which means there is no excuse not to visit this great little heritage town. Bowraville has two really great museums that are first class, plus the whole town has got behind the ‘history’ concept. The word Bowra comes from the Gumbaynggirr place name, Bawrrung, which possibly means cabbage tree. Other definitions given have been 'bullrout fish', 'scrub turkey' or 'bald head'. Originally named Bowra, the ville was added to the name in the 1870s to avoid confusion with the Southern Highlands town of Bowral. The town invites some tourists with such things as a folk museum, a war museum, a historic theatre, and other historic features. It also invites new residents with its scenic beauty and idyllic lifestyle. The Bowraville Jockey Club holds regular race meetings, and this also invites visitors from neighbouring towns and afar. On 5 November 2011 Bowraville was honoured as the Winner of the Cultural Heritage Award and came third overall in the Tidy Towns Awards by Keep Australia The town was gazetted in 1870 and Bowraville Post Office opened on 1 August 1870, and became the main centre of the Nambucca Valley. Its early industries were mainly timber and dairy, and the town eventually came to inherit the Nambucca Shire Council chambers. From about the 1960s, however, Bowraville began to decline in popularity and wealth. The ‘tribute to Frank Partridge’ Museum is a must visit, likewise the Folk Museum. The towns War Memorial is directly outside the Military Museum. The Bowraville Hotel is a 100 year plus classic NSW pub. The guest house i has undergone a delightful renovation.. The three main congregational churches operate in Bowraville. The Catholic Church is a quite large proposition. The Anglican is also old, wooden and traditional. Be sure to track down the tribute to Charlie Perkins When visiting, allow plenty of time for this terrific little town. Heritage diary