Just 90 minutes from Sydney, Bowral is the gateway to New South Wales’ idyllic Southern Highlands. A charming destination throughout the year, this lovely town is famed for its flower-filled gardens, cultural attractions and fabulous food and drinks. Visitors have a growing number of great guesthouses and hotels to choose from; we think the best places to stay in Bowral fuse heritage charm with an easygoing contemporary sense of style.
A fashionable rural retreat for Sydney’s elite from the 19th Century, Bowral has a wonderfully laid-back feel, with beautiful gardens, independent shops and galleries aplenty. Pick up attractive homewares and vintage pieces on Green Lane, browse the fortnightly Bowral Markets, and marvel at pieces by local creatives at the Ngunungula Regional Gallery, on a farm surrounded by wildflower meadows. The colourful Corbett Gardens, near the heart of town, are not to be missed, nor are the Southern Highlands Botanical Gardens.
Cricket fans will be fascinated by the Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame. You can even catch a game at the adjoining Bradman Oval — named for the great man himself — if you’re lucky. Venture further afield to follow the Southern Highlands Wine Trail or to hike and cycle through the Mount Gibraltar Reserve for dazzling views. Returning to your pick of the best places to stay in Bowral, you can expect a crackling fire, wonderful regional wine list, and terrific cuisine — tuck in!
