Planning a holiday in Bowral? Our Bowral travel guide features the best cafes, restaurants, accommodations, things to do and more.

the dining interior of Divaa, Bowral restaurants
Eating Out

20 of the best restaurants in Bowral (and beyond)

Whether you're road-tripping with the family or chasing a romantic escape, Bowral restaurants have become the heartbeat of the Southern Highlands.

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Furniture and homewares on display at Suzie Anderson Home in Bowral
Travel guide

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

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

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the bright and airy interior of Plantation Cafe, Bowral cafes
Eating Out

The definitive guide to 20 of the best Bowral cafes

From bakeries to bistros to hip cafes in heritage buildings and spaces with their own market garden, the best cafes in Bowral and beyond are a celebration of Southern Highlands produce.

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Aspinall’s Whisky Bar & Lounge
Eating Out

The top 12 Bowral pubs and bars from classy to comfy

These top-notch venues will enhance your escape to the country.

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the forest bathing deck at Osborne House, Bowral accommodation
Accommodation

20 of the absolute best places to stay in Bowral and beyond

The best Bowral accommodation ranges from weatherboard cottages to Airbnbs on the outskirts of town to all manner of elegant country estates.

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This new Bowral estate is Downton Abbey for the modern day
Accommodation

This gorgeous new Bowral estate is Downton Abbey for the modern day

A 1910 country estate is getting a revamp and two new dining venues. Opening in 2026, Ardour Milton Park Bowral will mark the dreamy debut of Australia's latest luxury hospitality brand.

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The Orangery, Dirty Janes Antique Emporium, Green Lane
Things to do

Things to do in Bowral: Highland cows, high tea and antique shopping

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.

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Tulips blooming in front of a sculpture
News

This long weekend is your last chance to catch Bowral’s tulip festival

Discover the vibrant beauty of Bowral during its annual Tulip Time Festival, a seasonal celebration of colour, blooms and community.

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charming side of Green Lane
Things to do

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.

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Where to eat, sleep and visit on Grand Pacific Drive, and beyond

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Bowral’s tranquil country setting, antique wares, cosy cafes and picturesque gardens ooze romance and elegance. As the largest town in the Southern Highlands, it is also the perfect place to base yourself to explore the many charms of its neighbouring towns and villages, starting with Mittagong, Moss Vale, Bundanoon, Robertson, and Berrima.

Getting to Bowral

Bowral is an easy 90-minute drive south of Sydney or a two-hour drive north of Canberra, making it an ideal day trip or weekend escape for city-dwellers. Bowral and many of the towns of the Southern Highlands are also linked via a direct two-hour train journey from Sydney.


Top things to do in Bowral

Bowral is full of charm, and with that comes a multitude of activities to keep you busy. You can shop till you drop at one of the glorious antique shops sprinkled around Bowral, enjoy the cool-climate wineries of the Southern Highlands, visit the Bradman Museum, and so much more.


Where to stay in Bowral

Bowral’s accommodation options bring a delightful country feel mixed with elegant luxury. From cottages and coach houses to manors and other unique stays thrown in for good measure, you’ll be smitten with Bowral in no time.


Best places to eat in Bowral

There is nothing more luxe than Bowral’s stunning dining scene. The quaint cafes are the ideal start to your day, while the restaurants demonstrate how incredible Bowral’s food scene is. Finish it off with a nightcap at one of the best pubs or bars, and your day is complete.


 

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