Top Towns for 2022: A weekend escape to Bowral's charming countryside

Award-winning pies and vintage pieces have helped cement this Southern Highlands town’s reputation as a hotspot for weekends away, writes Leigh-Ann Pow. Find out why Bowral landed in at no.18 on your list of Top 50 Aussie towns.

Find the complete list of the Top 50 Aussie Towns here.

I’ve been spending time in the NSW Southern Highlands town of Bowral since I was a mere slip of a girl. Growing up just 45 minutes away meant it was our chosen ‘Sunday drive’ destination, and the place we’d head for weekends away to mark family milestones. We were regulars at its annual Tulip Time festival; there are far too many pictures of my sister and me in matching outfits posing next to fulsome blooms and young women in traditional Dutch dress, complete with clogs.

blooming tulips in Bowral — Enjoy ‘Tulip Time’ in September. (Image: Destination NSW)

A myriad of celestial charm

I even decided in my 30s that it would be the place I’d retire to when the time came. So I have watched with curiosity and a dash of jealousy as my favourite town has become everyone’s favourite town in the last 10 or so years, with its main thoroughfare of Bong Bong Street fairly bustling with families and couples come the weekend, and Airbnb bookings becoming harder and harder to secure (Peppers Craigieburn or the exquisite Hopewood House are two very accommodating alternatives).

living room inside Hopewood House — Stay in boutique surrounds at Hopewood House. (Image: Destination NSW)

While the town’s allures are myriad, from the aforementioned floral fiesta to its history as cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman’s childhood home (complete with a museum) to its charming village vibe, the current vogue for spending time there has been spurred on in no small part by two genius additions to its offering.

Bowral’s famous pies

Cruise into town at lunchtime on most days of the week and you are sure to see a neat, well-behaved queue of people snaking out the door of Gumnut Patisserie on the main street. The multi-award-winning bakery is renowned for the quality of its pies, which is saying something in an area where notable pie makers number well into the 30s.

It is this breadth of quality that sparked the idea of rebranding the entire month of June as Pie Time, when bakers across the Southern Highlands – or the Southern Pielands as it is fashioned – set out to dazzle meat and pastry aficionados with the flavours of their fare.

Not surprisingly, given Australians’ passion for the humble pie, the annual event is a huge hit: set off on a Pie Drive following the self-guided Pie Trail through the area’s towns and villages to sample as many variations on the theme as possible (think about dedicating an entire weekend to the culinary journey or alternatively opt for an elastic-waisted ensemble if tackling it in a day), musing on the ratio of gravy to meat and the merits of exotic inclusions like curry and figs as you go.

The Dirty Janes effect

Another motivator for my love of Bowral since childhood has been the access it provides to dusty vintage treasures and second-hand gems at its many antique shops and charity stores. So it was love at first sight when I first entered the surrounds of Dirty Janes Antique Markets in the late 2010s to be greeted by room upon room of old furniture, French linens, artworks and curios – and on one occasion an entire ice-skating ticket booth in Gustavian grey imported from a far-flung Scandinavian country (and yes, I did entertain the thought of taking it home for five minutes).

entrance at Dirty Janes Bowral — Get the Dirty Janes effect. (Image: Destination NSW)

The passion project of father-and-daughter team Athol Salter and Jane Crowley, the original building underwent an extensive renovation in 2016, emerging as a chic retail precinct anchored by landmark building The Acre and boasting cafes, a pretty plant nursery, boutiques and an expanded vintage emporium.

antique shop in Bowral — Trawl for antiques. (Image: James Horan/Destination NSW)

Bustling streetscapes of Bowral

The resulting Dirty Janes effect has seen this corner of town along Bong Bong and Banyette streets become a bustling mecca for those in search of good coffee (try Bespoke Letterpress for its delightful mix of stationery and cafe fare and Plantation Cafe @ Green Lane to lunch amid the greenery) and even better bargains on everything from old church pews to vintage vinyl.

A potted history of Bowral

Bowral is on the Traditional Land of the Dharawal people and its name is thought to be derived from a word that means ‘high place’ in the local Aboriginal language. Bowral began as a series of land grants in the early 1800s, growing steadily prior to and following the arrival of the railway to the area in 1867, and the opening of Bowral Station in 1886.

During the late 1800s, the town added numerous churches, hotels and civic buildings, including the School of Arts, a police station, courthouse and town hall, all of which stand proud to this day. The fully-fledged town also became a preferred weekend idyll for wealthy Sydneysiders, who retreated here for the temperate summer climate and bucolic outlook. The generous houses and gardens they constructed still embellish the streetscape, along with the charming home designs that proliferated during the post-Federation period into the 1920s and ’30s.

The local Springett family opened a general store in the town in 1926, eventually expanding their business interests in the 1940s to include a bakery and soft drinks factory, which received a licence from Cottees to produce Passiona here.

The first tulip festival was held in Corbett Gardens in 1958, with September now known affectionately as ‘Tulip Time’ in the area.

Explore more of Bowral in our travel guide or find out which other towns made it into your Top 50.

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

two people standing in front of kiama blowhole — See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast — Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery . Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda , and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey ‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines .

The Sebel Kiama exterior — Sleep by the harbour.

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast — Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk , one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines , where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

port macquarie koala hospital — Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala . Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie , right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie — Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

Winter on the Central Coast

On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk , an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

a humpback whale breaching on the central coast — Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park . Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast , a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery , where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm . Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal , which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores , between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast — Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winter in Wollongong

Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple , the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple — Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch . Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong . A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery , which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park — Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen . It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach , right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.

Top Towns for 2022: A weekend escape to Bowral’s charming countryside