A 1910 country estate is getting a revamp and two new dining venues. Opening in 2026, Ardour Milton Park Bowral will mark the dreamy debut of Australia’s latest luxury hospitality brand.
The historic estate formerly known as Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa is a beloved stalwart of the Southern Highlands. Once a decadent hub for 20th-century socialites (think, lots of horse polo), the Bowral estate has operated as a hotel since the 1980s. Now, it’s entering a new chapter, undergoing an extensive transformation that will see the iconic property reborn as Ardour Milton Park Bowral in 2026. Under the new ownership of Salter Brothers Hospitality (of acclaimed Spicers Retreats), the property will be the flagship debut of new luxury hotel brand, Ardour Hotels & Estates, a collection of handpicked properties across regional Australia.
Horderns Restaurant nods to the storied history of the 1910 mansion.
The $10+ million refurbishment pays homage to the mansion’s heritage, but updates it with sleek, contemporary design flair, courtesy of Sydney-based design firm, MAC Design Studio. The property will have 44 guest rooms designed in two distinct palettes (sage green and blue), and incorporate restored vintage furnishings in keeping with the building’s character. With heritage-listed gardens and architecture that combines European influences with French and Federation detailing, Ardour Milton Park Bowral is Australia’s own Downton Abbey for the modern day (did we mention there’s high tea too?!).
The hotel’s reopening will also comprise two elevated new dining concepts. Horderns Restaurant (named for its original owners) will showcase pan-European cuisine that draws on the rich local produce of the Southern Highlands. Best of all, the venue has been expanded to take in the gardens, which are also getting a nip-and-tuck, complete with the addition of a bronze chiming fountain in the guest courtyard that comes from a park in Paris.
Polo Bar at Ardour Milton Park Bowral brings a modern design spin to the historic building.
The second dining option, Polo Bar, will be a sophisticated all-day venue boasting small plates, cocktails, and best of all, its very own charcuterie room where guests can enjoy cured meats and artisanal cheeses. The picturesque high teas the property was previously known for will continue, with a refined take and local produce. Very whimsical indeed.
Mark Holland (ex-Nomad, Paddington Inn) is the chef at the kitchen’s helm. “My goal is to create food that feels both comforting and memorable. I want every guest to leave with a memory that stays with them long after they’ve gone," he says.
Ardour Milton Park Bowral will be open in early 2026, with more information to follow about Horderns Restaurant and Polo Bar.
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Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
Discover what makes this country town the perfect place to slow down, switch off and recharge.
At first glance, the country town of Moree may look like just another charming highway town, with heritage buildings, a leafy town centre and classic pubs the locals love. However, this regional New South Wales town is Australia’s Artesian Spa Capital, a wellness hub with a rich Indigenous cultural history and a growing reputation as a destination for slow travel.
Moree is ideally located at the crossroads of the Gwydir and Newell highways (and is also easily reached by train and air), making it a refreshing destination, or stop, on any road trip. And these eight experiences show why.
1. Taste Moree on a Plate
Taste the best of regional produce and culinary talent. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Time your trip for Mother’s Day weekend in May, and you’ll find yourself in the middle of the popular annual food and wine festival, Moree on a Plate, celebrating regional produce and culinary talent from the region’s fertile plains.
Browse the stalls and sample olives, pecans, citrus fruits, honey, boutique wines and handmade condiments. You can also enjoy live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, a local barbecue competition, plein-air art, live music and a dedicated children’s activity area.
2. Experience artesian waters
Chill out in Moree’s famous artesian waters.
Moree’s famous artesian waters have attracted visitors for over 130 years. First discovered by accident in 1895, this mineral-rich, naturally heated water is drawn from deep within the Great Artesian Basin. Soak and slow down in the recently renovated pools at the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre, where you can choose between the active pool with massaging water jets or the passive pool for a more relaxing experience.
For a longer soak, stay at one of the many motels within walking distance of the aquatic centre. Or book a stay with its own artesian pools.
Gwydir Thermal Pools Motel & Caravan Park has five on-site thermal pools and a broad range of accommodation, while the Phoenix Resort offers both indoor spas and outdoor thermal pools as well as recently upgraded self-contained apartments and motel rooms. Meanwhile, the Artesian Spa Motel is set on five acres of landscaped gardens and features swimming and thermal pools, including an indoor artesian spa and an on-site restaurant.
3. Enjoy an arty experience
Step inside the gorgeous Bank Art Museum Moree. (Credit: Destination NSW)
To connect with Moree’s artistic side, head to Bank Art Museum Moree (BAMM), an independent contemporary art gallery housed in a beautifully preserved, Federation-era bank dating back to 1910. Inside, a nationally significant collection celebrates the art and culture of the Gamilaroi/Kamilaroi people and other First Nations artists alongside regional Australian art, while changing exhibitions offer something new.
Follow the Moree Art Mural Trail through the CBD, and you’ll pass large-scale murals and small galleries reflecting stories of the town’s people, history and culture. While you’re exploring this open-air gallery, look out for the eclectic mix of Art Deco and early 20th-century architecture, including the Moree Courthouse and the striking Capitol Theatre facade.
4. Discover cotton country
Learn more about Moree’s cotton industry. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Surrounded by the black-soil plains of the Gwydir Valley, Moree is at the centre of one of Australia’s major cotton-growing areas. Visit between March and May, and you’ll see fields covered in the distinctive fluffy white cotton bolls being harvested by huge machinery.
Trace the cotton from paddock to fabric on the Cotton Farm and Gin tour, running from April to September. You’ll visit a cotton farm and a working cotton gin up close, where you’ll see the cotton fibres separated from the seeds. Tours run weekly and include transfers.
5. Explore the Moree Plains
Head out of town to explore the plains.
Outside of the city centre, Moree is surrounded by charming rural villages dotted around the plains. The quiet village of Boomi, around 90 kilometres north-west of Moree, offers historic early 20th-century architecture, its own artesian thermal waters at the Boomi Artesian Baths and vast outback skies.
Further west, the pioneer border town of Mungindi straddles the Barwon River between New South Wales and Queensland. Follow the 2.5-kilometre sculpture trail to take in the outdoor public art, and you’ll cross the state border twice.
6. Relax by the water
Spot the locals at Gwydir Wetlands.
Just a short drive away, the peaceful Tareelaroi Weir Recreation Area makes the most of the meandering Gwydir River. Set up camp along the riverside and enjoy picnicking, fishing and swimming.
A little further afield, the Gwydir Wetlands are home to 75 recorded waterbird species, including brolgas, magpie geese, egrets, spoonbills, ibis and black-necked storks, also known as jabirus. Watchers can settle into the hide at Waterbird Lagoon, or follow a short walking trail through the wetlands, keeping an eye out for rare species.
7. Immerse in local Indigenous culture
Learn about the history of the Gamilaroi People.
Moree lies on the traditional lands of the Gamilaroi People, whose connection to the land stretches back thousands of years. Today, visitors can learn about this history at Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area, which includes the 3.5 kilometre Yana-y Warruwi Walking Track.
Back in town, the Open Space Aboriginal Art Trail allows you to enjoy the Mehi River with a free, self-guided public art trail of work from local Indigenous artists and their personal connection to Country. Finish with a visit to the remarkable Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre, where more than 110,000 family genealogies are recorded. Browse artefacts, art and over 15,000 photographs. There are also changing exhibitions of historical photographs and local art.
8. Local cafe culture
Get amongst’s Moree’s vibrant cafe scene. (Credit: Destination NSW)
From relaxed country cafes to stylish modern eateries, Moree’s CBD has a surprisingly vibrant foodie scene. There are plenty of spots to choose from for a freshly brewed coffee, long lunch or tasty dinner, featuring menus showcasing local produce and loads of country charm.
If you’d rather dine in the great outdoors, grab a takeaway coffee or a picnic and head to leafy Jellicoe Park, a riverside oasis just a short walk from the centre of town. Pick a spot under the trees, enjoy the park’s art installations and keep watch for waterbirds along the river.
