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This long weekend is your last chance to catch Bowral’s tulip festival

Carla GrossettiBy Carla Grossetti
Discover the vibrant beauty of Bowral during its annual Tulip Time Festival, a seasonal celebration of colour, blooms and community.

Each spring, the vibrant village of Bowral becomes quilted in colour as thousands of flowers bloom for the annual Tulip Time Festival in the Southern Highlands. Here’s how to get amongst it over the long weekend.

What is Bowral’s Tulip Time Flower Festival?

bowral tulip festival
See more than 80,000 mass planted tulips and annuals. (Image: Destination NSW)

 Bowral’s Tulip Time Flower Festival this year extends from September 21 to October 6. Running for more than six decades, the annual festival has transformed Corbett Gardens in Wingecarribee Street into a floral wonderland, with more than 80,000 mass planted tulips and annuals. 

Although the festival purports to be about one thing – tulips – it also honours the arrival of spring, offering a vibrant experience for visitors. A quick rewind tells us the Tulip Time Flower Festival began in Bowral when the local Rotary Club donated 500 tulip bulbs after a previous floral festival had failed due to a lack of funding. These days, the Southern Highlands festival draws visitors from across Australia to watch the seasons change. 

And while it’s still very much a community event, it has grown into quite the spectacle. Visitors are invited to wander through fields that pop with red, pink and yellow blooms and provide the perfect backdrop for happy snaps. 

What to see at Bowral’s Tulip Time Flower Festival?

A pond with colourful butterfly sculptures in it surrounded by tulips
Wander through fields that pop with red, pink and yellow blooms. (Image: Destination NSW)

The annual Tulip Time Flower Festival is more than just flowers. Blooming Weekends add an extra foodie focus to the affair with indulgences like The Beekeepers Long Lunch Experience and Sunset Evenings at Retford Park every Friday and Saturday.  For something a bit playful, channel your inner Bridgerton babe for the annual Tulip Time Garden Party , which includes a Bloom Bar, food, markets, live bands and a DJ. You can also board the Moss Vale Picnic Train at Central and arrive in Moss Vale or Bowral in style. 

Be sure to hit the Tulip Trail and alight at Bowral for a bespoke experience at Millsheds Distillery .  The distillery will transform into an enchanted wonderland during the festival for Tulips After Dark: The Secret Garden. Tumble down the rabbit hole to enjoy the Alice in Wonderland theme featuring everything from twinkling lights to live music and artisan markets. 

Tulips blooming in front of a sculpture
The festival honours the arrival of spring. (Image: Destination NSW)

Wondering what else to do with the kids on the long weekend? Fans of the movie Babe can catch the fun family-friendly flick on the big screen at Robertson School of Performing Arts on October 5 between 9.30am and 3.30pm. Robertson’s infamous Big Potato – affectionately known as the ‘big turd’ – has had a whimsical makeover by artist Samuel Hall who has transformed this landmark ‘big thing’ into the ‘Pig Potato’ for the film’s 30th anniversary event. 

The country fair will be a celebration that is equal parts quirky, nostalgic and heartwarming, much like the film itself. This year’s inaugural Horizontal Festival also coincides with the annual Tulip Time Flower Festival over the first weekend in October. 

Renowned Australian chef Mark Best will headline at the festival, hosted at Centennial Vineyards, where he will be joined by top local chefs such as Simon Evans, of Bangalay Dining and ex-MasterChef contestant Mindy Woods (Karkalla on Country). The event will also bring together artisan producers and acclaimed winemakers – such as Millsheds Distillery and Cupitt’s Estate – for the spring celebration. Check the program for guided garden tours, local market stalls, flower-arranging workshops at the Southern Highlands Flower Farm and more. And don’t miss the Bradman Dash , when everyone from seasoned sprinters to weekend warriors takes part in a series of short-distance heats on 4 October.

Where to stay

Berida Hotel
Enjoy a luxe stay at Berida Hotel (Image: Destination NSW)

The beautiful thing about Bowral is that it’s just a few hours’ drive from Sydney. If you do want to bunker down in the village, Berida Hotel is one of the most beautiful places to stay. The ivy-clad boutique hotel was recently renovated and feels worlds away from the hamster wheel of your life in Sydney. The luxe hotel was built in 1925 and you can see the leaves of the trees dancing from the comfort of your room. 

The best Bowral accommodation for the annual Tulip Time Flower Festival also includes those in proximity to the petals from the Black Barn Bowral to Peppers Manor House, Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral and Peppers Craigieburn Bowral. You can also gather your entourage and stay in The Pill Factory in nearby Bundanoon. 

Ticket Prices

Online tickets (not including booking fee)

Adults: $18.50 per person
Concession: $12.50 per person
Youth: $12.50* per person (13-17yrs)
Child: Free under 12 years

At the gate (no cash)

Adults: $20 per person
Concession: $13.50pp
Youth: $13.50 per person (13-17yrs)
Child: Free under 12 years

Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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Dive into summer with hikes, great bites and wellness in The Tweed

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    Warmer days call for slowing down and relaxing in nature. Discover why The Tweed is the ultimate destination to do just that.

    As the end of the year draws near, the need for rest and restoration grows ever more prominent. For many, that means heading into nature – and there’s plenty of science to back up the benefits of doing so. It quite literally makes us happier as it reduces stress hormones, lowers our blood pressure and more. And what better place to lean into this feel-good effect than during summer in The Tweed (in the Northern Rivers region of NSW)? Blending sparkling beaches, riverside towns and hinterland villages, this area has nature covered, while also offering top activities and dining options.

    Slip, slop, slap.

    And of course, pack your SPF. We Are Feel Good Inc’s Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula that keeps your skin hydrated and shielded, thanks to nourishing Coconut Oil and Vitamin E. But it’s also helping preserve the natural beauty around you on your Tweed vacation, thanks to 30 per cent ocean waste packaging.

    Discover eight experiences that make The Tweed the perfect place for summer.

    1. Underwater worlds

    two people swimming after turtle on the tweed
    Get a chance to swim with the locals.

    There’s something about the ocean that calls to us as humans, and what’s below the surface is even more magical.

    Green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles (not to mention an abundance of other marine life) all use the protected waters around Cook Island, near Fingal Head, as their foraging ground, making it the perfect place to dive and snorkel to spot these adorable creatures.

    Join Cooly Eco Adventures on a guided snorkelling tour that combines unforgettable turtle encounters with an inspiring look into marine conservation.

    2. Farm-to-table dining

    table spread at Potager restaurant
    Treat your taste buds at Potager. (Image: Cara Sophie)

    Respecting the land and nature also means appreciating its abundance of food. From farm-to-table cafes and boutique breweries to river cruises and restaurants championing local produce, dining around The Tweed often means engaging with the best local producers.

    The award-winning Potager Restaurant , part of The Hinterland Collection , is the perfect example; beginning life as a kitchen garden, the passion to champion local producers is woven into every dish. Vegetables, fruit and herbs are picked from the garden or sourced from other local producers, the seafood comes from the Northern Rivers, and meat is sourced from ethical local producers. Even the cocktail list features local distillers.

    Extend your stay with a night (or several) at boutique on-site accommodation, Potager House . This French-inspired country four-bedroom retreat boasts stunning views of the surrounding hills and nearby ocean, as well as a large pool, outdoor entertaining area and infrared sauna.

    3. Water wellness

    Waterguru Mindfulness in the Mangroves summer on the tweed
    Find mindfulness in mangroves. (Image: Matt Johnson)

    You’ll find mindfulness while floating around the mangroves of Kingscliff’s Cudgen Creek at any time, but Watersports Guru offers an immersive experience to help guests do so with more intent. Join a 90-minute guided session on a stand-up paddleboard to reconnect with nature and relax through breathwork, gentle movement and sensory awareness.

    If you’re feeling more adventurous, Watersports Guru also offer Kayak fishing adventures or join a Sea Turtle Odyssey experience.

    4. Restorative seaside stays

    woman relaxing in spa at Halcyon Wellness, halcyon house
    Unwind at Halcyon Wellness.

    The Tweed encourages locals and visitors alike to slow down. To really indulge, a seaside stay is a must. Halcyon House has understood the assignment, blending a wellness philosophy centred on balance and self-discovery with luxurious surrounds. Stay in one of 22 rooms and suites (each individually designed by eclectic interior designer Anna Spiro) right on the beachfront. Book restorative treatments at the onsite spa, Halcyon Wellness, relax by the pool, dine at the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant and just let The Tweed work its magic.

    While Blue Water Motel offers a relaxed coastal escape, just steps from Kingscliff Beach. Settle in stylish rooms, recently restyled by Jason Grant, nodding to the cool of Kingscliff with a fun retro vibe. Hire a bike from reception to explore the surrounding area.

    5. Tasty drops

    Husk Farm Distillery
    Join a Farm to Bottle tour. (Image: Salsingh Photography)

    The owners at Husk Farm Distillery aren’t just about creating high-quality rum: they’re also farmers themselves. In fact, they create one of the world’s only single estate, farm-to-bottle spirits. Join a Farm to Bottle tour to discover the sustainable ‘full circle’ distilling practices used here, and even get hands-on with your own cane knife to help harvest and juice your own stalk of cane. And, of course, a welcome drink plus complimentary tastings along the way.

    6. Rail trail adventures

    Cycle the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
    Cycle the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

    Exploring the rolling green slopes and historic towns of the 24-kilometre Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is one of the best ways to connect with the region’s lush hinterland and interesting heritage. In this section of the trail, discover the area’s railway history at heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, and traverse by 18 railway bridges and through two railway tunnels.

    Linking vibrant towns and villages with the larger hub of Murwillumbah, this section of the trail is covered in asphalt or compacted gravel, making it accessible for all ages and abilities, from prams to adaptive bikes. 

    7. Linger longer

    surfer at fingal heads the tweed
    Enjoy beachside locations, like Fingal Heads.

    Linger longer at one of the seven idyllic beach, river and creekside locations of Tweed Holiday Parks – including at Tweed Heads, Kingscliff Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville South. All just steps from the water’s edge, they make the ideal base to unwind, or head out for exploration of The Tweed. Choose from luxury waterfront cabins, accessible cabins, surfari tents (yes, they are basically glamping tents) or spacious sites for caravans, motorhomes and campervans or tents.

    Tweed Holiday Parks
    Stay for longer and indulge in plat at Tweed Holiday Parks.

    Find your feel-good summer in The Tweed at visitthetweed.com.au .