Bowral Suburb Profile 

An hour and a half south of Sydney, this Southern Highlands beauty is a standout for its culinary offering, boutique shopping, and year-round events calendar. Celebrating the region’s food, wine, music, arts, sport, and gardening culture, living in Bowral is a lifestyle that locals and Sydneysiders find hard to resist. Bowral’s European-style gardens and the rural landscape have long captured the imagination of creatives and literary figures. The changing seasons reveal Bowral’s hidden gems, from garden displays and festivals to cafes and restaurants crafting their menus around fresh produce, straight from the farmgate. The area’s reputation for being the gourmet pocket keeps growing. 

Running through the centre of town is Bong Bong Street, lined with gourmet bakeries and patisseries, boutique shopping, antique dealers, art galleries, bookstores, and an independent cinema. Gastropubs are social hubs, as are the profusion of cafés that offer home-style comforts. Bowral’s curated selection of fashion and homeware stores are also a big drawcard. Living in Bowral means being part of a creative community that underpins a thriving arts scene, from galleries and performing art spaces that showcase domestic and international art, literature, music, and theatre. Then there is Bowral’s sporting culture, which is just as revered. You only need to look to the highly successful Bowral Blacks rugby team and Sir Donald Bradman Oval (home of the Australian sporting icon) to get a hint of what we are talking about. 

If all that wasn’t enough, Bowral is also home to prestigious schools, heritage-listed properties, and estate homes. Some have been converted into event venues that have captured the attention of the wedding industry. 

Boasting all the elements of an elegant, rural lifestyle, living in Bowral remains the place to indulge in fine country living. 

Area Features

Wine & Dine

Whether you crave the simplicity of an Aussie pie or the sophistication of a seven-course degustation, Bowral has an incredible selection of gourmet bakeries, eateries and fine-dining options. The hardest choice is deciding where to start.

Away from Bowral Village, cool-climate wineries and microbreweries are peppered throughout the countryside, many with cellar doors that pair their tastings with a culinary experience.

Bowral Village

Explore Bong Bong Street, its arcades and side streets for local gems, be it one of the many cafes, patisseries, and eateries that have mastered home-style cooking. Or homeware stores that blend the new with the old, and fashion boutiques with the latest trends.

Gardens

Bowral takes a lot of pride in its manicured European style gardens. From Corbett Gardens, which is the focal point of the annual Tulip Festival in Spring to the many private gardens. Autumn is also a busy time with the changing colours of the season.

Architecture

It’s no secret that Bowral has some pretty impressive homes. Some have been converted into luxury retreats, while others remain private residences. Quaint cottages that sit on large blocks and modern architect-designed abodes all play their part in defining the streetscapes of this beautiful country town.

Markets & Events

Year-round, Bowral’s event calendar highlights the best of the region – from fresh produce and arts and craft markets to award-winning festivals.