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Things to do in Bowral: Where to Eat, Drink, Play and Stay
Make the most of your Southern Highland getaway with our edit of things to do in Bowral.
Sometimes a weekend away is all you need to recharge your battery and there is no better place than Bowral to do it. This country town is all about the finer things in life: sipping wine by a crackling fire, waking up to misty mountains, strolling through gorgeous gardens, and feasting at chef-hatted restaurants. And, like the other Southern Highlands’ villages, it’s bursting with country charm.
Here’s how to make the most of your weekend trip with our list of the best things to do in Bowral.
In This Guide:
Things to do in Bowral: Eat
Franquette Creperie
Franquette Creperie
If you can only stop for one meal in Bowral, head straight to Franquette. This charming slice of Brittany offers an indulgent dish for every meal of the day. Swing by mid-shop for a coffee and crepe or revel in a long lunch of shared galettes, cocktails and authentic French cider paddles. Every single item on the menu has been thoughtfully considered from the largely gluten-free offering to the dedicated vegan menu.
329 Bong Bong Street, Bowral
The Press Shop
The Press Shop is everything you want from a weekend brunch spot and more. Fashionably decorated in shades of pale blue, white and marble, and with elegant timber and brass embellishments, it has the ambience of a chic French patisserie. While the menu changes regularly (sometimes on a daily basis) to reflect the best of Bowral’s produce, you can expect a mix of sweet and savoury treats such as couverture chocolate doughnuts, fluffy scones with jam and cream, toasted sandwiches, gluten-free cakes, vegetarian tarts, and moreish breakfast bowls.
391-397 Bong Bong Street, Bowral
Gumnut Patisserie
Your visit to Bowral is not complete without a stop at Gumnut Patisserie. Peruse shelves stacked with exquisite pastries, pies and breads that look almost too good to eat. These guys win awards year on year for their exceptional delicacies so anything you choose is guaranteed to be delicious. We recommend swinging by as early as you can because these goodies don’t last long!
Sitchu Tip: The Lemon Tartlet is sublime.
Shop 7, Grand Arcade, Bong Bong Street, Bowral
Leila’s at The Grand
Craving a Middle Eastern Feast? Head to Leila’s where the share plates are in abundance and the recipes have been passed down through generations. Not sure what to order? The banquet menu is great value and covers off plenty of Leila’s signature dishes.
295 – 299 Bong Bong Street, Bowral
Onesta Cucina
At this lively, family-run restaurant, every plate stars fresh, regional produce. It’s a must-visit at least once when you’re working your way through your list of things to do in Bowral. Seeking to deliver the freshest food imaginable, Onesta Cucina craft a new menu every day with dishes like Parmigiano Reggiano Pannacotta with Blue Swimmer Crab Insalata, Trout Roe & Parma Ham and Housemade Potato Gnocchi with Braised Lamb, Red Wine & Rosemary Ragu. Salivating? Us too.
5 Boolwey Street, Bowral
Rush Roasting Co
Coffee on your mind? Head directly to Rush Roasting Co. These guys roast their own ethical beans so you can trust your brew will be incredible. They also cater to all tastes with single espresso, filter and cold brew available. Pair with Rush’s breaky or lunch menu which covers eggs, salad, burgers, toasties and baked goods. You’ll leave fuelled up and ready to go.
64 Bowral Street, Bowral
Bistro Sociale
A cosy weekend in the Southern Highlands pairs perfectly with a decadent French meal. Bistro Sociale, tucked into Berida Hotel, is the perfect spot to settle in for a while with an open fireplace in the colder months and a sunny terrace perfect for an apertif in the summer. For eats, you can expect Euro vibes aplenty with the likes of soupe du jour, confit duck leg and French steakhouse selects.
6 David Street, Bowral
Harry’s on Green Lane
Harry’s on Green Lane is a cafe/bar that screams French country chic. Delight at the picturesque courtyard dining complete with wrought-iron bistro tables and chairs, or venture indoors and be transported back a few centuries by classic decor, bookcases groaning with vintage hardbacks, and walls covered in faded French prints.
21 Banyette Street, Bowral
Things to do in Bowral: Drink
Royal Hotel Bowral
This relaxed pub is the perfect place to soak up the last hours of a day spent exploring. Sit by the fire with a drink or in the sundrenched courtyard. If you fancy a bite to eat, the elevated pub classics menu is a treat. Fancy a spot of live music? Swing by on a Saturday for some tunes.
255 Bong Bong Street, Bowral
Millsheds Distillery & Bar
If your idea of a perfect Bowral afternoon involves award-winning gin, a botanical wall and possibly blending your own spirit to take home, then congratulations! Millsheds was made for you.
Set in the heart of Bowral’s Mill precinct, this small-batch distillery is doing seriously good things with local produce, turning out gins, vodkas and liqueurs that have picked up silver medals on the international circuit. The working still takes pride of place in the venue, and you can get properly acquainted with it on a distillery tour, a tasting session (45 minutes, walk-ins welcome) or one of their brilliant gin blending classes where you’ll get your hands on a botanical wall and craft something entirely your own. When you’re done, the terrace bar in the courtyard is exactly the right place to settle in with a cocktail and one of the food kiosks nearby.
Shop 9/210-224 Bong Bong St, Bowral NSW 2576
Things to do in Bowral: Play
Milk Factory Gallery
The exhibitions at this contemporary art gallery are beautiful and change all the time. You’ll find everything from photography exhibits to ceramics, printmaking, painting and sculpture. There are also plenty of lovely local made goodies for you to purchase as a memento of your trip. Hungry? Your Vintage Occasion is located within the Milk Factory and offers high tea, fresh scones, breakfast and light lunches.
33 Station Street. Bowral
Shop up a storm at Bowral’s best boutiques.
Be sure to hit Highland favourites like Suzie Anderson Home and Few & Far for covetable homewares, along with The Potting Shed for all things gardening, The Bookshop Bowral for fantastic reads whilst Bespoke Press is one of our absolute favourites for their handcrafted stationery and cards. Head to Coach House Collective for exceptionally elevated large furniture pieces, alongside a selection of other creatives selling homewares, flowers and more. Wander up and down Bong Bong Street to discover all the different shopfronts.
Bowral Honey Farm
Tucked on the grounds of Retford Park (a beautiful National Trust property just five minutes from Bowral’s main street), the Honey Farm offers a one-hour guided tour alongside the hives. Here, you can don a protective head veil and safely observe the bees up close while learning about their remarkable lifecycle. From there, it’s out to the terrace overlooking the dam and rolling hills for a guided tasting of six single-origin honeys, each with its own distinctive appearance, aroma and flavour. This is paired with fresh sourdough and a pot of tea.
The farm stall is also open every weekend if you just want to browse and stock up on local honey. The experience feels very country and very charming, so it’s one of those things that reminds you why you left the city.
Retford Park, 1325 Old S Rd, Bowral NSW 2576
Ngununggula Art Gallery
Ngununggula is the first regional art gallery in the Southern Highlands, offering award-winning exhibitions that showcase contemporary and traditional art forms from local, national and international artists. Beautifully housed in a converted dairy on the grounds of Retford Park, it’s open seven days from 10am–4pm and entry is free. The gallery café is also open most days and is great for a long lunch between exhibitions.
Sitchu Tip: Combine a visit here with the Honey Farm as they’re basically neighbours!
1 Art Gallery La, Bowral NSW 2576
Corbett Gardens
These gorgeous gardens are best known for their tulips, which are in full bloom during the Tulip Time Festival in September. By far one of our favourite things to do in Bowral, the festival also features live music and market stalls.
21 Merrigang Street, Bowral
Bendooley Estate
A must on every list of things to do in Bowral is Bendooley Estate. A short drive away in Berrima, Bendooley is a wine and book lover’s idea of heaven. At the Book Barn, cosy up in front of the fire and feast on wood-fired pizzas and charcuterie boards paired with Bendooley wines or head next door for a wine tasting.
3030 Old Hume Highway, Berrima
Morton National Park
If you fancy a bushwalk, hike through the national park until you reach the cascading Fitzroy Falls, or do the Fairy Bower Falls loop. Morton National Park is packed with things to do – you could spend an entire week exploring and still find more. Don’t forget your cossies!
Things to do in Bowral: Stays
Ardour Milton Park
The Southern Highlands’ most iconic estate has had a serious glow-up. Following a major transformation, the historic 1910 property reopened as Ardour Milton Park Bowral, and it’s stunning. 44 guest rooms have been redesigned in two distinct palettes of sage green and cobalt blue, with bespoke wool carpets, marble and walnut finishes, brushed brass accents and a mural feature wall in every room paying homage to the estate’s famed weeping beech tree.
The dining offering is equally considered. Horderns Restaurant serves refined pan-European cuisine under executive chef Mark Holland (ex-Nomad), while The Polo Bar offers an all-day setting with hand-cut charcuterie, small plates and a wine list championing Southern Highlands producers. The beloved spa and heritage gardens both remain, they’re just considerably more elevated. This is a must-stay for Bowral.
200 Horderns Rd, Bowral NSW 2576
Park Proxi
This modern hotel is the perfect spot to base yourself for a weekend of exploring the best of Bowral. With an indoor pool, 18-hole golf course, restaurant and bar, all the comforts are accounted for. When it comes time to venture out, you’re just a two-minute drive from Centennial Vineyards, a three-minute drive from the shops and a 12-minute walk from a scenic stroll through Gibbergunyah Reserve.
Book via booking.com
Book via Park Proxi
Corner Boronia Street and Centennial Road, Bowral
The Rift Estate
Dotted with manors and English country gardens, Bowral is as picturesque as it gets, and The Rift Estate is one of its shining stars. Built in 1890, the mansion sits on 2.7 hectares of gardens, and its stables have been converted into a six-bedroom home, The Coach House. The property features claw foot baths, fireplaces and underfloor heating, and can accommodate up to 13 people.
Book via The Rift Estate
8 Carlisle Street, Bowral
Peppers Craigieburn Bowral
This heritage resort is set on 36 hectares of beautifully manicured estate gardens that comes complete with a 9-hole golf course. Exuding the allure of times passed, Craigieburn retains the elegance of the original building but with modern décor. Guestrooms lookout over the garden and you can mingle in the guest lounges in front of open fires. #bliss
Book via Peppers Craigieburn
Centennial Road, Bowral
If you loved this edit of things to do in Bowral and are after more ideas for when you’re in the Southern Highlands, be sure to check out our favourite walks on the South Coast and our edit of the best luxury accommodation options in the Southern Highlands.
