Bowral

Nature & outdoors

Bowral is famous for its grand gardens and towering trees, which thrive in the cool climate. In the heart of town, Corbett Gardens is more than 100 years old and one of the most beautiful gardens in the region. Each spring, it explodes with colour as more than 75,000 tulip bulbs bloom for the beloved Tulip Time festival. Nearby, the five-kilometre Cherry Tree Walk is also at its most delightful in spring, with the trees covered in a thick layer of pink and white blossoms.

Corbett Gardens, Bowral 

The 13.5-hectare Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens are spectacular all year round, from lush summers to vibrant autumn foliage. Join a guided walking tour to discover the seasonal highlights, rare plant collections, sculptures and native wildlife. Just outside of town, Oxley Hill Farm Flowers is a glorious working flower farm designed by renowned landscape artist Paul Bangay OAM. Take a guided tour through the fields of blooms or join a workshop to create your own floral masterpiece.

Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens, Bowral - Credit: Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens Ltd

Mount Gibraltar Heritage Reserve is on the northern edge of town, between Bowral and Mittagong. Climb to the Bowral Lookout or to the summit of the mountain for sweeping views across the region. Further afield, the rugged Morton National Park is around 20 minutes from Bowral and home to bushwalking paths, mountain bike trails, picnic areas, and the dramatic Fitzroy Falls.

Fitzroy Falls, Kangaroo Valley

Heritage & culture

The village of Bowral was established in 1859 and it was a popular summer retreat for Sydney's elite during the 19th century. Today, the town retains much of its heritage charm. Discover the elegant public buildings, homes and hotels lining its leafy streets on a self-guided walk or a guided tour with Bowral Historical Walking Tours. One of the finest examples is Retford Park, a pink Italianate mansion surrounded by heritage gardens and filled with an impressive collection of art and furniture.

Retford Park Bowral, Bowral - Credit: Retford Park Bowral

Cricket icon Sir Don Bradman was born and raised in Bowral and his hometown has become the spiritual heart of Australian cricket. Explore his legacy and the fascinating history of cricket at the immersive Bradman Museum, which also includes Bradman Oval where the ‘Boy from Bowral' played in his youth. You can even spend the night in his childhood home, No 52 Bowral. This weatherboard cottage from the 1890s has been beautifully restored and is filled with sporting memorabilia.

Bradman Museum, Bowral

Ngununggula is the first regional gallery in the Southern Highlands and set inside the heritage buildings of the Retford Park Dairy. The name means ‘belonging' in the language of the Gundungurra people and the award-winning exhibitions, workshops and community programs will inspire the artist within you. For more arty adventures, visit the Milk Factory Gallery Art and Design Centre, Bowral Art Gallery, and Ferris Wheel.

Ngununggula Southern Highlands Regional Gallery, Bowral - Credit: Brian Rapsey

Shop til you drop

Fashionable Bowral is the shopping hub of the Southern Highlands. The main street is lined with chic boutiques selling clothing, homewares, books and more. Stock up on exquisite stationery at Bespoke Letterpress, find character-filled furniture at Barbara's Storehouse and discover luxe Australian designers at HEM. Unearth some vintage treasures at Dirty Janes Bowral, an eclectic emporium of 85 individual sellers. If you're not sure where to start, join a guided tour along the Southern Highlands Shopping Trail curated by an interior designer.

Dirty Janes, Bowral

Eat & drink

A gourmet getaway, Bowral's rich pastures yield delicious fresh produce and acclaimed cool climate wines. For a taste of the region, visit Centennial Vineyards. Set on 80 acres, this winery produces some famed ripening varietals, from chardonnay to pinot gris and gewurztraminer. Sondara Estate is a boutique vineyard that offers an exclusive, appointment-only cellar door experience complete with cheese, charcuterie and chocolate. Sip your way through a number of cellar doors in the region on a wine-tasting tour with The Grape Escape.

Centennial Vineyards, Bowral

Sample handcrafted, small-batch spirits at Millsheds Bar and Distillery. You can take a tour behind the scenes, learn how to make your own blend or just relax over a cocktail. More interesting drinks await at SoHi Bottle Shop and Tasting Boutique, an impossibly chic store on the main street. Try a martini straight from the freezer or fill a bottle with gin, vodka or a premixed negroni on tap.

Millsheds Bar and Distillery, Bowral - Credit: Merrigangs Distillery and Bar

Bowral's restaurant scene is booming. Lucette is a classic Parisian bistro with a hatted chef at the helm. Savour traditional Italian cuisine at the stylish Onesta Cucina, where the menu changes every day. There's more European flair at the intimate Bistro Sociale inside the Berida Hotel. Ethos at Links House celebrates locally sourced ingredients, with a focus on seasonal, ethical and sustainable producers. Filled with plants and travel trinkets, Harry's on Green Lane makes for a quirky lunch or dinner.

Bistro Sociale, Bowral - Credit: Berida Hotel

Three Blue Ducks Burradoo opened in mid 2026 on a 240-hectare regenerative farm just outside Bowral. It's home to three venues – an elegant restaurant inside the 1823 farmhouse, an artisan bakery, and a relaxed cafe paired with a retail store. For an introduction to the enchanting world of bees, visit the Bowral Honey Farm for a guided tour, a honey harvesting workshop (complete with beekeeping suit) and a tasting of their sweet specialty.

Bowral Honey Farm, Bowral

Exciting events

Tulip Time is the biggest festival on Bowral's packed events calendar. Running for more than three weeks in September and October, Corbett Gardens is transformed into a kaleidoscope of colourful blooms. There are also markets, live music, art installations and the Tulip Trail across the rest of the Southern Highlands.

Tulip Time Festival, Bowral

Food, wine and music come to Centennial Vineyards over the October long weekend for Horizontal Festival. Enjoy tastings, masterclasses, workshops, concerts and more. Centennial Vineyards also hosts A Day On The Green music festival, with big name acts from Australia and around the world performing on the open-air stage. The Bowral Classic is a staple on the road cycling calendar, with racers winding through the lush Southern Highlands countryside.

Bowral Classic, Bowral - Credit: Beardy McBeardy

Where to stay

There is a huge range of accommodation in and around Bowral, ranging from boutique hotels and sprawling resorts to holiday houses, pub rooms and budget-friendly motels. Ardour Milton Park is a century-old country manor turned luxury hotel, with its character retained in the bespoke furnishings, stylish artworks and historic gardens. Peppers Craigieburn is another heritage gem, dating back to 1887. In contrast, The Gibraltar Bowral is cool and contemporary, with 78 rooms and an 18-hole golf course.

Ardour Milton Park Bowral, Bowral - Credit: Salter Brothers Hospitality

Getting there

Bowral is a 90-minute drive from Sydney and less than two hours from Canberra. You can also catch a direct train from Sydney, taking two hours, or from Canberra, which takes two hours and 30 minutes.