Bowral is bursting with great things to do, from living it up in a country estate to patting highland cows, sipping perfect piccolos and visiting a honey farm to learn about the secret life of bees.
The best things to do in Bowral revolve around being immersed in the landscape. The heart of NSW’s Southern Highlands is a destination for all seasons: it offers everything from spring blooms to autumn foliage, music festivals in summer and wine and log fires in winter. And that’s not to mention the cafe culture, sporting history and retail therapy you’ll find here any day of the year. Here is the ultimate guide to the top 25 best things to do in Bowral, just 90 minutes by car from both Sydney and Canberra.
In short
The best thing to do in Bowral is visit the outbuildings and grounds of Retford Park , which are carefully maintained by the National Trust to reflect and honour the late James Fairfax’s vision. Retford Park houses one of the best collections of 16th, 17th and 18th-century English furniture in the country. It also houses the new Bowral Honey Farm in the art studio where the late philanthropist liked to paint.
1. Raise a glass to craft
Bowral’s Millsheds Distillery & Bar has evolved from being a live music venue to a premier distillery. I recently raised a glass to celebrate the distillery winning medals at the London Spirits Competition and International Wine & Spirits Competition. Its Highland Gin is among the top gins in Australia. The distillery also offers immersive experiences such as tours and gin-blending classes. Head to Eden Brewery in nearby Mittagong if you have more of a head for hops. The craft brewery boasts an impressive range of beers from IPAs to porters. I love to visit the brewery for its solid pub grub with a side serve of live music. The Mittagong Hotel also offers cocktail-making classes onsite at its distillery.
2. Embark on a pub crawl
Update your group WhatsApp chat with the address of Royal Hotel Bowral, one of the best pubs in Bowral to gather with your tribe for a taste of the Highlands. Fingers crossed your mate draws the short straw to be designated driver. The next place on your pub crawl should be the newly reimagined Robertson Hotel, which celebrated its centenary in November 2024. Enjoy a dram of whisky at the Scottish Arms Bar & Bistro in East Bowral, an engaging place to celebrate the region’s Scottish heritage and culture. Wind up your evening at the Briars Inn , where you can bed down for the night at the hotel known for offering one of the best pub feeds in Bowral.
3. Commune with the cows
We all know about equine therapy. But what about bovine therapy? I’m here to tell you that ringing the bell and watching the herd of highland cows come cow-cantering (it’s a thing) down the hill towards me at The Swallow’s Nest was one of the highlights of my year thus far. Named after the swallows that return to the farm year after year, the working farm offers hands-on animal encounters with the highland cows as well as unique Paint & Pat workshops, blending art with animal time.
4. Learn where your food comes from
On a recent road trip, I took Tourist Drive 16 from Sutton Forest to Goulburn via Bundanoon. The route featured in the Southern Highlands Escape Map features inspired pit stops from fruit-filled orchards to local providores. It also loops in Wingello and Penrose where you can fill your hamper with fresh produce from honesty boxes and roadside stalls. It’s the ultimate way to connect with where your food comes from. Musset Holdings is a family-run farm that supplies some of Sydney’s best restaurants and I can recommend a farm tour here to learn about off-grid living. I also did a deep dive on mushrooms with Fungico in the magical Mittagong Mushroom Tunnel.
5. Visit the art galleries
A visit to regional gallery Ngunungula is one of the very best things to do in Bowral. The gallery founded by award-winning artist Ben Quilty is set within a meadow of wildflowers in an old dairy farm on the historic Retford Park estate. Ngunungula means ‘belonging’ in the traditional language of the Gundungurra First Nations people. And the Southern Highlands gallery offers an inspired space for creatives. As well as hosting significant exhibitions, it hosts workshops and artist talks, too. The Milk Factory Gallery and dinky Bowral Galler y are also worth a visit.
6. Check into a country estate
Bowral became a fashionable summer retreat for Sydney’s gentry at the end of the 19th century and many great country estates were built to accommodate this early tourism boom. Fast-forward more than a century and many of these old manor houses are now the best places to stay in the Southern Highlands. Properties such as the beautiful Berida Hotel, Peppers Craigieburn Bowral , Peppers Manor House Sutton Forest and The Coach House at The Rift Estate combine heritage charm with modern luxuries. During my most recent visit to Bowral, I bunkered down at the Berida Hotel which has elegant grounds to wander. The Pill Factory is also a cool place to stay for large groups.
7. Paddock-to-plate produce
Hearth by Moonacres is adjacent to Ngunungula and known for its commitment to the ethical production of food. It’s one of the best paddock-to-plate eateries in Bowral. In addition to the monthly ‘fire feast’ at the bougie Osborn House in nearby Bundanoon, the five-star hotel is now on my radar for its fab Fire Kitchen. Meanwhile, The What If Society also sources sustainable produce to create some of the region’s most nourishing dishes. The premise of the food-focused zero-waste cooperative is simple: what if we cared more, consumed less, and embraced a more holistic approach to caring for the planet. The eatery now has The Exchange, a local grocer and providore 50 metres down the way.
8. Connect the dots between cafes
After completing the journey from Sydney to Bowral, I like to sit and sip coffee on the town’s main strip. Be part of the ‘in’ crowd queuing for coffee at The Press Shop , within the Bespoke Letterpress building. Or hole up at Nick’s filled with local art, homewares and ceramics. Just down the street in the thriving Green Lane shopping and dining precinct is Plantation , sister venue to Harry’s On Green Lane next door. The light, plant-filled space serves Double Roasters coffee, fresh-baked goods and has an all-day menu. Franquette Crêperie is also causing a stir: this convivial cafe led by Frenchman Julien Besnard and his wife Romy is devoted to sweet and savoury crêpes and coffee by The Little Marionette.
9. Enjoy high tea in the Southern Highlands
Treat yourself to a dreamy high tea at Your Vintage Occasion at the Bradman Museum. I enjoyed this afternoon endeavour while sipping on Highlands Tea Company brews from dainty cups and saucers and nibbling on pinwheel sandwiches. While we’ve got our eye on a range of flavours, such as the white chocolate and cinnamon, you can’t go past the classic scone for country comfort. There are also gluten-free options available. Proving popular is the Little Ones High Tea. Dormie House is also worth a detour for its Devonshire Tea served with the requisite scones with generous dollops of jam and cream on the side. Cupcake Co .’s high tea is the ultimate birthday party experience for tweens with its lavender lattes and colourful cupcakes.
10. Browse for antiques in Bowral
Green Lane is a haven for those in the market for unique gardening supplies and homewares. It’s home to The Potting Shed, which sells rustic garden ornaments, terracotta pots, tools, gifts for gardeners and more. You will also find The Orangery selling indoor plants, cold-climate perennials, topiary, water features and garden furniture. Expect a careful edit of Italian linen clothing and Portuguese porcelain by Bordello Pinheiro. Green Lane adjoins Dirty Janes Antique Emporium , a mecca for those who love sourcing unique vintage pieces – from furnishings to ornaments and jewellery. The market is home to more than 60 independent dealers, decorators and upcyclers.
11. Shop till you drop
Arkke is a concept store selling designer clothing and accessories. The best shops in Bowral also include The South Store , The Bronte Tram and Barbara’s Storehouse for one-of-a-kind treasures. Cookshop Plus is the place for copper pans, cast-iron Dutch ovens and whistling cooktop kettles. And The Bookshop Bowral is full to the brim with your literary needs. Fossicking for second-hand, rare, antiquarian and contemporary books is also one of the best things to do near Bowral. I recently visited Berkelouw Book Barn in Berrima, just 11 minutes from Bowral, to pick up my next holiday read. For quirky and quaint homewares, my picks are Highlands Emporium and Few & Far . The Rabbit Trap Timber in nearby Sutton Forest is also fab for your next rustic farmhouse fit-out.
12. Enjoy the best Bowral restaurants
Eating out is one of the best things to do in Bowral. I recently caught up with my good friend Polly at Bistro Sociale . As a local, Polly is a regular at the restaurant famed for its French-inspired fare and carefully curated wine list. The Bowral restaurant is tucked away in the charming Berida Hotel and is one of the best restaurants in Bowral. Next time I head to the Highlands, I want to return to Onesta Cucina . This ‘honest kitchen’ with its ambient lighting and vintage Campari posters, is known for its high-quality, hearty Italian fare. I’m also making plans to meet Polly at Paste Australia led by Bongkoch ‘Bee’ Satongun who earned a Michelin star for her sister restaurant in Bangkok.
READ MORE: The best places to eat in Bowral
13. Explore the Bradman Museum
Bowral is the hometown of cricketing icon Sir Donald Bradman. Explore the legend’s legacy at the Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame set on the edge of Bradman Oval in pretty Glebe Park. The museum incorporates interactive displays with fascinating memorabilia that proved compelling for a cricket tragic such as my husband. The museum’s collection tells the story not only of Bradman, but of the great game itself – from its origins through to the Big Bash League. It’s also the start and finish point of a self-guided tour of Bowral from Bradman’s perspective. We took about an hour to complete the 1.7-kilometre Bradman Walk as it visits lots of historic sites associated with the legend, including his childhood homes, schools and church.
14. Stroll through stunning gardens
Elegant gardens have long been a drawcard for visitors to the Southern Highlands. Corbett Gardens, in the centre of the village, is one of Bowral’s oldest and most beautiful gardens. It dates to 1911 when the local tourist association, at the suggestion of one Ada Corbett, purchased a disused patch of land dubbed Deadmans Paddock and transformed it into a public park. Corbett Gardens is at the heart of the annual Tulip Time Festival which draws petal pilgrims like myself in their droves each September. Retford Park is also on my radar after a recent visit. The gardens are dotted with sculptures and are an absolute delight to walk through in any season. They are on the grounds of the must-visit Italianate mansion built in 1887 by the Hordern family and redesigned by James Fairfax AC.
15. Hit up a winery
The Southern Highlands is perfectly primed to produce cool-climate wines such as pinot noir, chardonnay and sparkling. From its beginnings in the 1990s, the region now has more than 60 vineyards and 15 cellar doors. This gives us an extra incentive to get out and explore the beautiful landscape. Follow the Southern Highlands wine trail to make the most of it. Stops include Bendooley Estate , where you can also explore the Berkelouw Book Barn ; Joadja Estate , the region’s oldest; and Tractorless Vineyard , an urban cellar door in Braemar, a 15-minute drive from Bowral. Stop by for a tutored tasting at the family-run Sondara Estate or linger over a long lunch at Centennial Vineyards which celebrates local produce from the surrounding area.
16. Take a hike
Fuel up on coffee and cake at The Burrow Cafe before hiking to Fitzroy Falls, which thunders over the lip of a soaring sandstone cliff. My husband and I like to stride out with other righteous ramblers while visiting the Southern Highlands and we set off for Mt Gibraltar Reserve on the outskirts of town on our last visit. Here, 130 hectares of restored natural forest surround the summit of collapsed volcano Mt Gibraltar. We skipped leg day at our local gym as, at 863 metres, it’s the highest point between Sydney and Canberra. From up here you can see three different perspectives via the Bowral, Mittagong and Jellore lookouts; the 1.2-kilometre Rim Track connects all three. For something a little more sedate, try the Berrima River Walk; it’s one of the best things to do near Bowral.
17. Pack a picnic
One of my very favourite things to do in Bowral is to pack a picnic and find a shady spot to unfurl our red-checked blanket. Head into Fermento Artisan Bakery or sister venue Baked in Berrima to pick up croissants and apple cinnamon scrolls. Bendooley Estate Larder is the place to go to fill your hamper with local produce and enjoy it alongside stunning views of the rolling countryside. The Larder has tapped the chefs in the kitchens of Bendooley Estate for everything from salads to wraps. It’s also raided the paddocks and pantries of its favourite providores to provide a showcase of the region’s bounty. Sydney’s Dolly’s Donuts has also holed up in Bowral.
18. Visit the neighbours
No trip to Bowral is complete without spending a day idling between its surrounding towns. Each has its own distinct character and history and all are within an easy drive of one another. Don’t miss Mittagong, where ivy-clad cafe The Boston Ivy 1880 serves one of the best brunches around. Score a table for coffee and cake at Berkelouw’s famous Book Barn on Bendooley Estate in Berrima. And duck into old-school sweets store Lolly Swagman for road-trip treats. Mark nearby Moss Vale on your map for its collection of boutiques, cafes and pubs. And pick up a copy of the Southern Highlands’ Escape Map so you can plot the fastest course between principalities.
19. Visit NZ brand’s first Australian store
Wilson & Dorset chose Bowral as the base for its first Australian store because of its proximity to the countryside. The store with a cult following in New Zealand is known for its laid-back luxury range that includes everything from plush sheepskin rugs to modular furniture, oversized beanbags, cushions and accessories. The store interiors were designed by Melbourne-based NZ-born architect James McNab to be an immersive retail experience. Fun fact: Few & Far also has its flagship store in Bowral and frankly, I’m obsessed…
20. Do go chasing waterfalls
Fitzroy Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in NSW. It is 23 kilometres south of Bowral in Morton National Park and cascades some 80 metres into the Yarrunga Valley. Be sure to explore the award-winning Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre to learn more about the traditional country of the Yuin people and dine at The Burrow Cafe.
Belmore Falls is also in Morton National Park. Hike to the waterfall via the Belmore Falls Walking Track which tumbles some 100 metres over three tiers. It’s also worth the effort to trek to Forty Foot Falls , some 6 kilometres out of Bowral. It’s a place of immense natural beauty.
21. Tap into wellness trend
I’ve been trying to influence my husband’s online algorithm by whispering ‘book a wellness retreat for the wife in Bowral’. Even the very thought of tapping into the newest wellness trend – float therapy – makes my anxiety levels drop dramatically. The fast-growing City Cave franchise has centres dotted all around the country. And that includes Bowral. And the chic and minimalistic float and wellness centre has a lot to offer, from infrared saunas to the float pool and massage centre. The husband seems to have influenced my algorithm, too. In the interests of his health and wellness, I’ve booked him a round of golf for his birthday at Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral .
22. Factor in a festival
The Southern Highlands’ inaugural Horizontal Festival launched in 2025 as the new go-to getaway for gourmands. The food, wine and music festival is a celebration of some of the state’s award-winning producers, makers and growers such as Cupitt’s Estate and Three Blue Ducks . Ngununggula also has a Highlands’ fling for the annual Midwinter Festival which Ben Quilty curates to include workshops with local winemakers, distillers and brewers as well as a gourmet village and live entertainment. A Day on the Green also draws visitors to the Southern Highlands in their droves. Head to the potato-growing region of Robertson for the annual Potato Festival, which is billed as ‘spud-tacular’. Celebrate the Highlands in all its seasonal glory at the Tulip Time Flower Festival and Autumn Music Fest .
23. Mooch around Bowral Market
Visiting Bowral Market on the second Saturday of the month is up there with one of my favourite things to do. The market is held at the Bowral Bowling Club and attracts a diverse array of stallholders selling everything from bric-a-brac to produce and plants. The market is also one of the destination’s biggest draws for its people-watching. Ask that apple-cheeked farmer for tips on how to cook those Dutch cream potatoes you’ve filled your eco bag with. And brighten your world by picking up a bouquet from Tillaura Lou .
24. Take a guided tour
There are plenty of things to see and do in the Southern Highlands. Take the foot off the pedal and let a driver from the Highlands Tour Co . take over the logistics and tailor a tour that suits. Be it Vines & Views, a Blokes Day Out or Brides Delight, the local touring company has an experience to suit. The Southern Highlands is the closest wine region to Sydney. Enjoy your escape to the country by visiting a few of the cellar doors that showcase the region’s award-winning cold-climate wines. Experience Nature also offers day tours from Sydney or Canberra to the Southern Highlands.
25. Discover Bowral Honey Farm
Sample some delicious honeys at Bowral Honey Farm in the art studio of the late philanthropist James Fairfax who divided his time between Sydney and the adjacent Italianate National Trust estate, Retford Park . The air around the estate is alive with the humming sound of insects as beekeeper Hamish Ta-me guides our group on an immersive exploration of the hives. Don a veil to learn more about the pollinators and their important place in the environment. There’s also a honey shop open on weekends. Inspired? You can learn how to set up your own hive, too.
