This quirky, picturesque little town has humour and cheek at its roots.

The locals call it ‘Cowtown’ and if you like a bit of fun and uniqueness you’ll be in your element here.

There are plenty of things to do in Cowaramup. Have your photo taken with the 42 life-sized fibreglass Friesian cows and calves that have taken over the town and wander the streets, parks and shops. Get the kids to look for Molly Moo Cow, hidden in their spots and adults will have a chuckle at the ‘Roast on a Post’ – a local artist’s tongue-in-cheek imitation of Laurance Winery’s ‘Chick on a Stick’.

After seeing some of these top Cowamarup attractions, browse (and taste) your way around the village with gourmet purveyors, authentic organic wine, wine centre, delicious fudge, cafés and the locally grown meat and vegetables on offer. There’s unique giftware, local artworks and handcrafted soaps too!

Wineries, breweries and awesome places to stay are found in the wine country in Your Margaret River Region surrounding the town.

Our Top 5 Things to Do in Cowaramup

1. We love how the town itself is completely cow-themed – and if you love the cows, come back for their birthday event, Deja Moo, held annually in July.

2. Wine and beer tasting at great wineries and craft breweries.

3. Sampling locally-made nougat, chocolate, ice cream, fudge, olive oil and fresh produce.

4. Cowaramup Bay in Gracetown – a calm swimming beach which is dog and kid friendly with epic surf breaks.

5. Ride into town on the Rails to Trails track which runs all the way from Cowaramup to Margaret River.

History of Cowaramup

As you drive into Cowaramup you’d be forgiven for thinking that the town was named after its love of cows or its dairy history. But the town was actually named by the local Aboriginal people, meaning place of the cowara bird, a purple crowned lorikeet.

The first grapes were grown in the area by Mr Jimmy Meleri sometime before 1917 when he produced his first wine and sold bottles at local dances.

The town originated from the Group Settlement Scheme in the 1920’s and was gazetted in 1925. It was predominantly a timber town from the 1930’s and moved into agriculture with the first flock of sheep introduced in 1934 and the first herd of cattle introduced in the 1960’s.

In 1967 the first commercial vineyard was established by Dr Cullity and named Vasse Felix Estate. Today nearly 5,500 hectares of the region is under vine with 215 growers (including Vasse Felix).

The town was overrun in 2012 by 42 life-sized fibreglass Friesian cows and calves and the town gained Guinness World Record status in 2014 for the “largest gathering of people dressed as cows.” 1352 people in fact!

Cowaramup – it’s all about the vine (and the bovine!!)