Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Bowral, Australia

The small town of Bowral, situated in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, is characterized by its cool and humid climate.

The region’s fertile volcanic soils and temperate weather conditions are conducive to the growth of various crops and flowers.

Historically, the affluent of Sydney would escape to this town during the summer, constructing elegant estates such as Retford Park, which is presently managed by the National Trust.

The Tulip Time Festival is a cherished spring celebration, showcasing vibrant displays at Corbett Gardens.

Moreover, Bowral is renowned as the childhood home of Donald Bradman, widely regarded as the preeminent cricket batsman in history. Since the 2010s, the museum commemorating his life and achievements has evolved into a prominent Hall of Fame for cricket.

1. Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame

In a country celebrated for its sporting achievements, cricketer Donald Bradman (1908-2001) remains an iconic figure.

For those unfamiliar with the sport, Bradman’s remarkable career test batting average of 99.94 and his national hero status place him among legends such as Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, and Babe Ruth.

The significance of Bradman in the world of cricket is underscored by the presence of the International Cricket Hall of Fame in his home town.

As you explore Bradman’s modest beginnings in Bowral, you will gain insights into this globally played sport.

Experience the origins of cricket, its heroes, various formats, notable venues, and historical controversies, through interactive exhibits equipped with advanced technology.

Adjacent to the museum is the heritage-listed Bradman Oval, the cricket pitch where Bradman honed his skills, complemented by a children’s playground themed around cricket.

2. Corbett Gardens

In 1911, a parcel of land in the center of Bowral, originally referred to as Deadmans Paddock, was acquired by the town’s tourist association to transform it into a public park.

This garden has served as the venue for the Tulip Time Festival for over six decades, occurring for two weeks in September and October, featuring thousands of blooming tulips in a spectrum of colors.

During this festive period, an entrance fee is charged for access to Corbett Gardens, yet visits to the well-maintained flowerbeds, shrubs, and specimen trees can be enjoyed without cost at other times.

Facilities include a charming pavilion with a domed roof, along with picnic areas and restrooms.

3. Southern Highlands Wine Region

The moderate climate and fertile volcanic soils of the Southern Highlands establish a picturesque wine region adorned with vineyards across the serene countryside.

The first commercial wineries were established in the 1980s, and the cool climate supports the flourishing of varieties such as Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and notably Cabernet Sauvignon.

This results in single varietals featuring light-berry notes, often blended with other types, and the region is also recognized for its sparkling wines.

Situated in Bowral, you have the ideal opportunity to savor Southern Highlands wines, complemented by exceptional cuisine crafted from the freshest produce available in this fertile area.

Notable wineries within a short distance include Centennial Vineyards, Artemis Wines, Cherry Tree Hill Vineyard, and Tertini Wines.

4. Mount Gibraltar Reserve

This forested volcanic ridge serves as a striking natural border between Bowral and Mittagong to the north.

Mount Gibraltar, with its highest point at 863 meters above sea level, is often referred to as “The Gib” and features broadcast and telecommunications towers at its summit.

During the Great Depression, scenic lookouts were constructed along the slopes as part of work initiatives, some of which still stand today.

From the Bowral side, enjoy extensive views over the town and its lush countryside, encompassing the Wingecarribee River Valley, Moss Vale, and the distant Gingenbullen Mountain to the south-west.

Conversely, the Jellore Lookout on the Mittagong side offers vistas extending 20 kilometers north toward the namesake mountain, while the Mittagong Lookout allows for sightlines across a rolling volcanic landscape as far as Sydney on clear days.

5. Tulip Time Festival

As October approaches, the 75,000 tulips planted in Corbett Gardens bloom spectacularly.

Additionally, another 15,000 annual plants complement the display, with a further 40,000 bulbs throughout the surrounding shire enhancing the vibrant scenery.

The breathtaking blooms are the centerpiece of a ten-day festival celebrating 60 years, primarily held in Corbett Gardens.

Typically, the festival features live music, a marketplace with numerous food trucks, flower sketching workshops, family-friendly entertainment, and opportunities for open garden viewings across the town.

6. Bradman Trail

Within the Bradman Museum lobby, you can obtain a complimentary map for a leisurely 1.7-kilometer stroll through Bowral, visiting locations associated with Donald Bradman’s upbringing.

The Bradman Trail consists of ten designated stops, including his childhood school, church, two residences, his initial workplace, and Corbett Gardens, where Bradman received a warm welcome in November 1930 following an extraordinary performance in The Ashes.

The former Empire Cinema on Bong Bong Street, where Bradman received an official farewell in March 1930 before departing for the tour, is also part of the trail.

7. Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens

Surprisingly, Bowral had not established a botanical garden until recent years, despite the town’s remarkable propensity for plant growth.

Located in the southeast of Bowral, this project was long envisioned before substantial work commenced in 2016. These types of attractions typically require decades to cultivate, yet you can explore the initial collections and experience the gardens in their nascent stages.

Noteworthy features include a native garden teeming with birdlife, a birch grove showcasing 22 varieties of silver birch, a eucalypt grove, and a garden housing the Australian national collection of dwarf dogwoods, alongside a children’s playground that opened in June 2020. Children will enjoy the quest to locate the 15 teddy bears cleverly hidden throughout the gardens, and a nursery for unique plants operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

8. Cherry Tree Walk

Settlers Park, bordering the Mittagong Rivulet, hosts Bowral’s Vietnam War Memorial.

Recognizing its esteemed gardening reputation, Bowral memorializes its victims of this contentious war along a path adorned with numerous beautiful white cherry trees.

Originally planted in the mid-1990s, the Cherry Tree Walk features 526 trees representing Australian lives lost during the conflict.

Since its completion, this memorial has become the venue for Bowral’s Vietnam Veterans Day events, occurring on August 18. The trees create a stunning spectacle when in bloom, typically around late September to early October.

9. Milk Factory Gallery

Established in 2005, the Milk Factory Gallery occupies a bright and spacious former dairy depot constructed in 1921, located in Bowral’s central business district. The gallery presents a compelling opportunity to experience various artistic mediums in an impressive setting featuring ceilings soaring seven meters high.

Approximately eight exhibitions take place each year, showcasing painting, sculpture, glasswork, photography, etchings, and prints.

These exhibitions culminate in the annual Summer Exhibition, occurring in January, February, and March, displaying a mixture of pieces from the gallery’s collection alongside highlights from the previous year.

The gallery shop, open from Friday to Sunday, offers a delightful range of handmade gifts, including jewelry and vases.

10. Lake Alexandra Reserve

Just a few minutes north in Mittagong lies a tranquil reservoir, a favored location for relaxation.

Lake Alexandra was created in 1890 to supply water to the steam engines servicing the town’s iron mines.

With heavy industry now a thing of the past, the reserve has transformed into a serene oasis, featuring grassy, shaded banks, diverse birdlife, picnic areas, an excellent playground for children, and restrooms.

Visitors can enjoy picturesque views of Mount Alexandra, which rises to the north and offers a lookout accessible via a winding road.

11. Retford Park

This exquisite Italianate mansion and its picturesque estate were bequeathed to the National Trust of Australia in 2016 and welcome visitors for tours and garden explorations on the first weekend of each month.

Constructed in 1887 from rendered brick for merchant and stockbreeder Samuel Hordern (1849-1909) and his wife Jane, the property originally served an agricultural purpose and only transitioned to landscaped gardens in the 1960s.

Enjoy looking around the beautifully hedged gardens, a knot garden, sculptures, a luxurious swimming pool, and a pavilion.

12. Berrima District Museum

For those intrigued by the history of the Southern Highlands, this local museum in nearby Berrima features an array of fascinating objects and well-documented information.

Housed in a charming weatherboard cottage, the museum effectively combines modern technology with traditional displays to narrate Berrima’s story.

A digital gallery allows visitors to engage with an exhibition showcasing the artisans of the Southern Highlands in vivid high definition.

Additionally, “Prisoners in Arcady” provides an in-depth examination of the German internment at Berrima Gaol during the First World War.

13. Dirty Janes Bowral

The largest indoor market within the Southern Highlands is located on Banyette Street in Bowral, nestled inside a spacious warehouse connected to a charming shop known as The Emporium.

The market features numerous vendors offering a diverse selection of products, including handmade gifts, vintage clothing, accessories, lighting, signage, furniture, art, tableware, and historical home appliances, among many others.

The space also houses a Tea Salon serving traditional tea and scones, alongside sandwiches, tarts, soups, and cakes, all presented on exquisite bone china.

14. Eden Brewery

Since its inception in 2017, Eden Brewery in Mittagong has emerged as a vibrant craft brewery that operates sustainably, utilizing 100% renewable energy and allocating 10% of profits to Oxfam.

At the time of forming this list in May 2020, the brewery’s offerings included a pilsner, a witbier, a cherry sour, fruity IPAs and pale ales, a cider, and a choc-peanut butter milk stout.

The tasting room welcomes a variety of food trucks on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, or patrons can participate in guided tours to learn about the brewing process, from grain to glass, available from Friday to Sunday at 10:00-11:00 and 11:00-12:00.

15. Mary Poppins Statue

P.L. Travers (1899-1996), the Australian-English author most recognized for creating the enchanting character Mary Poppins, spent a significant portion of her childhood in Bowral.

She relocated to the town with her mother in 1907 following her father’s passing, residing in Bowral for the next decade.

To commemorate the centenary of Travers’s residence in the town, sculptor Tanya Bartlett was commissioned in the 2010s to create a statue of Travers’s iconic character, complete with an umbrella.

Unveiled in 2013 in Glebe Park, the statue bears the inscription, “Mary Poppins birthplace statue.”