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A guide to 19 of the best shops in Bowral and surrounds

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
Discover the best shops in Bowral and surrounds with this complete guide to shopping in the vibrant Southern Highlands village.

The best shops in Bowral range from giant emporiums for antiques and collectables to shoe stores and shops dedicated to showcasing sheepskin. The village is a veritable bowerbird’s nest with Bowral shops selling everything from coins to jewellery, toys, Art Deco furniture, books, glassware and textiles sourced from around the world. If you’re a serious shopper and looking for something to do in the region, you’ll know that you can hit the high street here for hours.

Put together an itinerary based on our guide to the best shops in Bowral.

In short

If you only visit one shop in Bowral make it Bespoke Letterpress, where you can stock up on beautiful stationery and buy all your Christmas gifts in one hit.

Bowral antique shops

Those with an abiding fascination for everything from vintage furniture to unconventional art should follow our guide to some of the best antique shops in Bowral and beyond.

Dirty Janes Bowral

succulents for sale at Dirty Janes Bowral
Dirty Janes Bowral is home to a unique collection of vintage wares and garden finds. (Image: Destination NSW)

Expect objets d’art, antiques, collectables and curios for the curious that span the past century at Dirty Janes, a destination for collectors with limited time. Dirty Janes is such a good hunting ground for treasures that you could just visit this one-stop vintage shop in the Highlands and be happy with your finds. All up, there are more than 80 independent dealers, decorators and upcyclers at Dirty Janes, Bowral.

Address: 13 Banyette St, Bowral

The Bronte Tram

Visit one of the best cafes in Bowral for coffee and start plotting your plan of attack. You will find everything from brass candlesticks, chandeliers, wedding chests, leather suitcases, vintage furniture and stunning silverware at The Bronte Tram, which sources its collectables from around the globe.

Address: Shop 2/379 Bong Bong St, Bowral

Grandpa’s Shed, Fitzroy Falls

Remember what it was like to get lost in Grandpa’s Shed? Well, Grandpa called and he wants his stuff back. Grandpa’s Shed in Fitzroy Falls is an essential stop for road-trippers who like to fossick. The eclectic and luxuriant mix of junk and ephemera and carefully curated clutter is not for your Marie Kondo kinds. It’s perfectly imperfect and worth the 20-minute drive from Bowral.
Address: 1353 Nowra Road, Fitzroy Falls

Bookshops in Bowral

The number of bookshops in and around Bowral says something about the denizens of the village, which once served as a rural retreat for Sydney’s landed gentry.  Plan your visit to coincide with the annual Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival .

Berkelouw Book Barn

the bookshop at Berkelouw Book Barn, Bendooley Estate, Berrimah
Browse the impressive collection of rare books at Berkelouw Book Barn. (Image: Destination NSW)

Although it’s technically in Berrima, 11 minutes from Bowral, Berkelouw Book Barn has to be top of the list of best bookshops in Bowral. As well as a stunning collection of secondhand, rare, antiquarian and contemporary books, the storied Berkelouw Book Barn is a destination in its own right for its adjacent restaurant and accommodation.

The Bookshop Bowral

a stack of books at The Bookshop Bowral
Score a good read at The Bookshop Bowral.

The Bookshop Bowral is an institution for its carefully curated selection of books written by culturally diverse authors from around the world. Check the calendar of events hosted by the book shop, which schedules in-store signings and talks by authors during the annual Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival.

Address: 309 Bong Bong Street, Bowral

The Phoenix Bookstore

So named after a fire destroyed its original premises, The Phoenix Bookstore has started a new chapter selling new and old books from its new location tucked in behind Bowral Post Office. Join the steady stream of shoppers browsing and chatting with the staff at this cosy bookstore who, as dedicated bookworms, will help you find something that takes your fancy.

Address: Lamond Lane, Bowral

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Books Ever After

books on display at Books Ever After, Bowral
Don’t miss out on bestselling reads at Books Ever After.

Everything from fairy porn to romance novels has been blowing up on BookTok. At the forefront of the trend is Books Ever After, run by bestselling romance author and Books by the Bridge Author Events founder, Kat T. Masen. Find one-of-a-kind bookish merchandise, limited editions, book events, and personally signed paperbacks to add some spice to your next book club.
Address: Shop 4, The Grand Arcade. 291-297 Bong Bong Street.

Boutique shops in Bowral

Shopping is one of the best things to do in Bowral thanks in part to the creative community who call the Southern Highlands home. There are fabulous one-of-a-kind boutiques, hipped-up homeware stores and quirky op shops dotted around the main street’s jumble of Bowral shops.

Wilson & Dorset

woolly wares at Wilson & Dorset, Bowral
Find everything from designer floor rugs to laptop covers. (Image: Wilson & Dorset)

It’s a much more pleasing experience to run your hands over the woolly wares at Wilson & Dorset in Bowral than to shop online. The NZ brand with the cult following chose Bowral as its flagship Australian store because of its proximity to the countryside. Head here for everything from designer floor rugs to laptop covers, cushions and accessories.

Address: 363 Bong Bong Street

Burnt Co

candles on display at Burnt Co, Bowral
Find something unique for your home at Burnt Co.

Delight your olfactory senses with a visit to Burnt Co. This local gem creates sustainable home fragrances delivered via a range of candles, diffusers and room sprays. The Bowral shop has the market cornered for sustainable candles complete with a return and burn system for refill options. Or take a candle-making class to create something unique for your home.
Address: 5 Bong Bong St, Bowral

SoHi

alcohol bottles on display at SoHi, Bowral
Sample a variety of spirits at SoHi. (Image: Christopher Pearce)

Step into SoHi and be dazzled. Is it a boutique, a tasting room, a jewellery store? Well, the main product is alcohol, but this isn’t like any bottle-o you’ve set foot in. Sample local gins, vodkas. Buy some Red Pony Negroni. Or choose from martinis straight from the freezer. You can also get uber bougie and use the refill fountain. Private tastings are also on offer for small groups.
Address: Shop 3b/391-397 Bong Bong St, Bowral

Bespoke Letterpress

a wrapped gift with ribbon at Bespoke Letterpress, Bowral
Get your gifts ready and wrapped up at Bespoke Letterpress.

This couture letterpress stationery store was once part of The Press Shop, now housing one of the best cafes in Bowral. But Bespoke Letterpress became so popular it had to move to larger premises on Bowral’s main street. Bespoke Letterpress is paradise for lovers of pretty and practical stationery such as diaries, planners, calendars and more.

Address: Shop 2B, 310-312 Bong Bong St, Bowral

HEM

fashion finds at HEM, Bowral
Shop up-and-coming designer goods and contemporary homewares.

Looking for something funky or flouncy? You’ll find it here at HEM, which has a whimsical mix of local and global brands that make a fashion-forward statement. Forget fast fashion. HEM has managed to lean toward up-and-coming designers and contemporary homewares that are stand-alone standouts.

Address: 1/23 Boolwey St, Bowral

Susie Anderson Home

homewares for sale at Susie Anderson Home, Bowral
Pick up chic wares at Susie Anderson Home. (Image: Abbie Melle)

Sip coffee with your friends so you’re well-fuelled before your foray into the Suzie Anderson Home store. Take the Style Quiz ahead of your visit to help provide tailor-made tips for choosing everything from gift sets to tablecloths, homewares, fashion and furniture.

Address: 409-411 Argyle St, Moss Vale

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Bare Body Beauty Co.

products on display at Bare Body Beauty Co., Bowral
Pop by Bare Body Beauty Co. for Australian-made skincare products.

Bare Body Beauty Co. is a local favourite, known for its handmade natural skincare, body care, and bath essentials. With two beautiful Bowral locations, both stores invite you to slow down, test the scrubs at the playstation, and find your new skin favourites. Everything is made by hand in the Southern Highlands using pure, plant-based ingredients that feel as good as they look.

High Street location: Shop 21, 310-312 Bong Bong Street, Bowral

Dirty Janes location: 15 Banyette Street, Bowral

The Shoe Merchant

shoes on display at The Shoe Merchant, Bowral
Find the perfect fit for your sole at The Shoe Merchant. (Image: Supplied)

Birkenstocks, Ecco, Emu Slippers, Floresheim, Frankie4, Louenhide and Rollie Nation are just a few of the beautifully designed brands stocked at The Shoe Merchant in Bowral. Fans of designer footwear travel from all over Sydney to Bowral to find shoes designed for everything from dancing to walking.

Bowral markets and op shops

There are plenty of upmarket stores to browse in Bowral. But it’s the affordable op shops and stores with vintage vibes that offer the biggest buzz for treasure hunters in Bowral. The Bowral Market is also a better-than-garden-variety market too. In addition to the quality bric-a-brac and artisan wares, it showcases the State’s bounty of fresh produce.

Bowral Market

Bowral Market, held on the second Saturday of each month, sells food, clothing, jewellery, plants, arts and crafts. The pet-friendly market sources a lot of fresh produce from the Southern Highlands. Hot tip: Stock your eco bag with a kilo of Robertson potatoes, a jar of Chapo’s Raw Honey and relishes from Lame Duck Foods.

Address: Bowral Bowling Club, 40 Shepherd St, Bowral

Timeless Fashion & Furniture

fashion finds at Timeless Fashion & Furniture, Bowral
Shop for timeless fashion finds.

It’s all about the thrill of the hunt at The Southern Highlands Community Hospice Shop where you are likely to find everything from a powder-blue safari suit from the ‘70s to a military-style jacket, pair of cowboy boots, Portico clock or framed print signed by a local artist.

Address: 315 Bong Bong St, Bowral

Father Chris Riley Op Shop

Hard-core antique collectors and up-cyclers will enjoy rummaging for a bargain at this op shop. Father Chris Riley supports young people who are trying to turn their lives around so they can feel even more righteous about forgoing fast fashion while in pursuit of that cricket cardigan or glittering jumpsuit.

Address: 8 Bundaroo St, Bowral

Bowral Crafts Unlimited

artisan products at Bowral Crafts Unlimited
Browse artisan products at Bowral Crafts Unlimited.

Craft skills of yesteryear are still thriving thanks to the charitable nans, aunties of the Southern Highlands. Their wonderful handiwork is on show at Bowral Crafts Unlimited, the collective serving the Wingecarribee community since 1972. More than 60 volunteers work to craft wares that are sold to support community services such as the local hospital and Rural Fire Service.

Address: 22 Wingecarribee St, Corbet Plaza, Bowral

Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
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The tastiest new players on Newcastle’s dining scene you need to try

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

    When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

    aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw
    Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

    Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

    1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

    pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle
    Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

    Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

    Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

    Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe.

    2. Destination dining

    Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw
    Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca, which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

    One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie, the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

    Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

    3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

    people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths
    Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

    What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

    Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach. Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen, which is open from 6am.

    Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse.

    You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach, where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

    Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

    4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

    couple eating at Flotilla newcastle
    Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

    In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

    Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

    Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

    5. Newcastle nightlife

    Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw
    Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

    As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

    If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne, Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s.

    Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.