Things to Do in Bowral, Australia

Bowral Things to Do

Located in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, Bowral is beautiful city with several attractions. Whether you are a history buff or an outdoor adventurer, Bowral has something for everyone to enjoy. Here’s a list of must-see things to do while visiting Bowral, Australia.

Gardens Galore

Take a walk around Bowral and you won’t miss the public and private gardens and nature paths in the area, especially in late September when the Tulip Festival is going on. Not only do public gardens such as Corbett Park show off their neatly manicured designs, private homes on large estates also open up to public viewing. You can take a shuttle to view these gardens from the railway station or from Corbett Park. Bowral also has many other public gardens including Moidart, Red Cow Farm, both of which open in October, and the Paradise Garden with its multiple fruit trees. Unfortunately, the well-known and beautifully designed Kennerton Gardens are no longer open to the public. For a more natural setting, try hiking the Morton National Park with its waterfalls.

Learn More about Sir Donald Bradman

Though Sir Donald was born in Cootamundra, he grew up in Bowral. Around the town you will find his name prominently displayed. He had a 99.94 batting average and is the only cricketer which has been knighted. There is a museum in town where you can learn about his contributions and his foundation. You can even find a cheerful statue of him in front of a water feature greeting visitors near its entrance. The Bradman Oval is a round cricket park where occasional matches are held. Bradman was said to have lived near the park and even played there himself.

Historic Berrima

This Georgian town was established in 1831 and is a delight for history buffs looking to experience history first hand. Tourists can spend the afternoon wandering the town and visiting several historic sites and buildings. On the must-see list are the Gaol Gates, the Sandstone House and Garden, and the Berrima Training Center that was used to help rehabilitate inmates in the city. Many of the historic buildings have been repurposed. The old courthouse has transformed and now operates as a museum and the town church is a gift shop.  For a nice lunch or dinner, try going to Harper’s Mansion that now functions as a restaurant.

Open Gardens

Bowral is home to several open gardens that are available for the public to see in October each year. Chinoiserie is an open garden that specializes in Peonies that have been collected from all over the world including Japan, China, America, and Europe. Modiart, established in the 1930’s, is another garden open to the public that features a sunken rose garden and several exotic trees. A third open garden is called Red Cow Farm. This garden is divided into 20 smaller rooms, or sections of the garden, that each are designed with a different theme. The garden also features several rare Perennial flowers and a pond with a water garden.

Morton National Park

Not far from Bowral is Morton National Park. The park features some sheer cliffs with amazing views. The most popular sights at the park are the several waterfalls, including Fitzroy Falls. Visitors can walk to the very top of the falls and choose to travel either east or west along the rim. If tourists travel along the western rim of the falls, they will find themselves at the very peak of three waterfalls and a fantastic photo opportunity with good lighting.

Mt. Gibraltar

Enjoy a short and scenic drive outside of Bowral to the top of Mt. Gibraltar. From the top of the mountain, there are several different viewpoints tourists can access. One view point looks out over Mittagong.  A second views both Mittagong and Bowral, and a third viewpoint looks at all of Bowral.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Bowral, Australia.