Want to know what to do in Bowral with kids? From stunning gardens, mountain hikes, wonderful wineries, and a world-famous cricket museum, you’ll be spoilt for choice on your next family holidays NSW trip.
Located in the Southern Highlands of NSW, Bowral should be on your family holiday to do list. Nestled at the base of Mount Gibraltar, it’s only 1.5 hours from Sydney to Bowral and is a cute town full of things to do for a long stay or family weekend escape close to the ‘Harbour City’.
As you explore Bowral you’ll notice how serene the place is especially during spring when its country gardens and fields come alive with tulips.
So to help you plan your family holiday, we highlight 10 amazing things to do in Bowral with kids.
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What To Do In Bowral With Kids:
1. Books and Breakfast at Elephant Boy Cafe
For a unique café experience be sure to head to the Elephant Boy Café. From the moment you enter you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a 1920’s novel. The walls are lined with books, 1920’s antiques, spices and jams and tea merchant posters.
It’s the perfect spot to grab a coffee, read a book or simply sit back and relax. Also what a great way to integrate reading books on a family holiday?
The meals are delicious and the portion sizes are generous like the Big Breakfast. It has everything you and the kids love (sausages, baked beans, eggs, bacon and mushrooms).
TIP: Go early to avoid the crowds and to secure a table for your family.
Elephant Boy Café
Open: 7.30-4pm (Mon-Fri); 8-4pm (Sat-Sun)
Where: 329-331 Bong Bong Street, Bowral
2. Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame
One of the most famous attractions in Bowral and a favourite for families is The Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame. Ask any local what is Bowral famous for?, and they’ll more than likely mention Sir Donald Bradman.
For any cricket fan, this is a must-do activity as it commemorates the game’s greatest batsman, Sir Donald Bradman who grew up and learned his craft in Bowral.
Even if you aren’t a cricket enthusiast it’s a pretty impressive museum featuring state-of-the-art interactive experiences, theatre screenings, and rare memorabilia and exhibits, all showcasing ‘The Don’s’ significant contribution to cricket and Australian history.
TIP: Don’t forget to explore outside and see the Bradman Oval.
Bradman Museum and International Crick Hall of Fame
Open: Daily 9-4pm
Where: 5 Jude Street, Bowral
Cost: $25 (adults); $15 (5-15 years)
3. Explore the Southern Highlands Wine Trail
No visit to Bowral is complete without sampling the Southern Highland’s vineyards. With over 60 wineries to visit in this region (spanning across the towns of Bowral, Exeter, Moss Vale, Sutton Forrest, Berrima and Mittagong), you’ll have a blast wining, dining and soaking up the views.
Okay, this one is more catered for the parents. But, on a family trip, I bet you’ll need at least one glass of vino? So, why not do this at an incredible winery estate that serves a delicious lunch experience? The kids will at least love running through the estate vineyards.
Producing award-winning sparkling wines and specializing in pinot noir and pinot gris, you’re sure to walk away with a few new favourites and bottles for keepsake.
One of our favourite spots is Mount Ashby Estate, a charming French farmhouse-style winery. On the property, you’ll see cattle grazing, a provincial 17th to 19th-century antique shop, and of course, its cellar door and Café La Palette, which serves delicious pinot gris, merlot and chardonnay wines and modern-French cuisine.
TIP: It’s a nice spot to grab lunch with the family, soak up the vineyard views and unwind with a glass of vino.
Mount Ashby Estate
Where: 128 Nowra Rd, Moss Vale
See website for opening hours
4. Corbett Gardens
One of Bowral’s most popular family friendly attractions is the Corbett Gardens. It is a stunning park and attracts over 40,000 people each year when it hosts its Tulip Time Festival in September.
The garden blossoms all year round, but in spring it really comes alive with over 75,000 tulips on display. If visiting during spring it’s a must, the kids will absolutely love the vibrant colours and fields of tulips on display.
The family background photo opportunities will be spectacular.
All year-round, it’s still one of the best things to do in Bowral with kids. Corbett Gardens entry fee is free (except during Tulip Time Festival), and the attraction is only a two-minute walk from the town centre and has plenty of nearby street parking.
So, why not add Corbett Gardens to your family’s Bowral trip itinerary. Here you can soak up the floral displays, let the kids explore the park and enjoy a picnic or BYO coffee/snacks.
Corbett Gardens
Bendooley Street, Bowral
Open: 7 days
Cost: FREE (except during Tulip Time Festival)
5. Explore the Mount Gibraltar Reserve
Another family friendly activity featuring on our top things to do in Southern Highlands and Bowral list has to be exploring ‘the Gib’ as locals say.
Referring to the iconic landmark of Mount Gibraltar, a visit to the reserve is a must do in Bowral.
Being the highest point between Sydney and Canberra, you’ll be able to see spectacular views of country New South Wales. There are four lookout points to visit being Bowral Lookout, Mount Jellore Lookout, Mittagong Lookout and Oxley View Lookout.
The reserve also offers toilets, picnic tables and a number of walking tracks (suitable for all) to get you up close with the local wildlife, fauna and flora and of course capturing those stunningly views.
So why not pack a picnic, bring a camera and grab the kids, and explore this iconic and protected natural attraction during your trip to Bowral.
Mount Gibraltar Reserve
Oxley Dr, Mittagong NSW
Open: 7 days
Cost: FREE
6. Centennial Vineyards High Tea Kids Treat
Who doesn’t love a high tea experience? With tasty treats, delectable desserts, finger sandwiches and endless cups of tea – it’s an indulgent and fun experience for all.
And, one place that offers a wonderful high tea experience is at the Centennial Vineyards Restaurant. They offer delicious Centennial Vineyards High Tea sessions every day and cater for kids as well.
It’s a perfect place to soak up the venue’s gorgeous vineyard views while sampling tasty high tea treats including finger sandwiches, savoury and sweet pastries and homemade scones, jam and cream, coffee and tea.
Also, for the adults, you can swing by their award-winning Centennial Vineyards Cellar Door and grab a bottle or two of their Centennial Wines: Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Albariño, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir & Tempranillo.
Centennial Vineyard Restaurant & Cellar Door
252 Centennial Rd, Bowral
Open: 7 days
Cost: From $50 (adults); $40 (kids)
High Tea Sessions:
- Thursday & Friday (10am – 12pm)
- Tuesday & Wednesday (10am – 3pm)
- Saturday & Sunday (9:30am – 11:30am) (min 10ppl)
7. Highlands Entertainment Centre
Up for some friendly competition? Then why not head to the Highlands Entertainment Centre, which features all the gaming favourites for families.
This newly expanded entertainment venue offers 10 lanes for tenpin bowling, an 18 hole mini golf course and 25 amusement arcade games to enjoy.
They also have a fully licensed cafe onsite to recharge after all that gaming fun. This venue will easily keep the whole family busy for a few hours, with the kids (and kidults) being immersed in perfecting their bowling and golfing technique, as well as trying to level up on the arcade games.
Highlands Entertainment Centre
2/ 205 Old Hume Highway, Mittagong
See website for opening times
Cost: From $12 per game (bowling and golf); $2-50 (arcade plays)
8. Southern Highlands Botanical Gardens
We know kids love gardens. And when thinking of what to do in Bowral we have to feature its botanical gardens.
The Southern Highlands Botanical Gardens is a popular attraction for families and visitors in Bowral. Spanning across 15 hectares, it’s only a few minutes from the town centre and offers so many things to see and do.
You can take in the sweet smells of their vibrant garden/plant displays, spot impressive sculptures, check out the plant nursery, wander through the amazing Meadow Labyrinth maze and let the young ones have a ball at the onsite playground.
It’s simple, but it’s also a fun and FREE attraction for families in Bowral.
Southern Highlands Botanical Gardens
1 Old S Rd, Bowral
Open: 9-5pm daily
Cost: FREE
9. Cherry Tree Walk
What better way to explore Bowral than by foot. And, one great activity to do with the kids in Bowral is the Cherry Tree Walk.
This stunning 5km walk starting at Stellers Park will have you seeing the natural beauty of Bowral. From wandering down paths lined with commemorative cherry blossoms and magnolia trees, to flowing rivers, sprawling park spaces and remarkable memorial stones, it’s a must do.
Key things to see on this walk include the Bowral Vietnam War Memorial, Venables Park, and Memorial Stones. Also during your walk, you can visit the Bradman Museum as the walk passes it.
The Cherry Tree Walk is another beautiful outdoor and FREE activity for the family to experience in Bowral.
Cherry Tree Walk
Starts at Stellers Park
Open: 7 days
Cost: FREE
10. Watch a movie at Empire Cinema
Yes, Bowral is a wonderful place to get outdoors and explore, but if you happen to get caught out in the rain with kids, then a must do in Bowral is to head indoors and see a movie with the family.
Home to the oldest commercial cinemas in the country, the Empire Cinema has an impressive history dating back to 1915.
This four-screen movie theatre offers all the latest films for the kids to see and even shows performances from the New York Met Opera and London’s National Theatre if you’re after something more cultured.
Empire Cinema
327 Bong Bong Street, Bowral
Open: 7 days
Cost: From $15 (adults); $13 (kids)
How to get to Bowral?
Located in the NSW Southern Highlands, Bowral is closest to Sydney making it a popular getaway for families living in Sydney.
However, it’s also accessible from other major cities via car and flights. Below is the travel time and most convenient transport options to help get you and the family to Bowral for your next family NSW holidays trip.
- Sydney to Bowral – Distance 118km. Takes 1.5hrs by car via Hume Motorway/ M31
- Canberra to Bowral – Distance 178km. Takes 2hrs by car via Federal Hwy/M23 and Hume Hwy
- Melbourne to Bowral – Distance 763km. Takes 8hrs by car or fly to Sydney (1.5hrs) and drive (1.5hrs)
- Brisbane to Bowral – Distance 1,016km. Fly to Sydney (1.5hrs) and drive (1.5hrs)
- Adelaide to Bowral – Distance 1,260km. Fly to Sydney (2hrs) and drive (1.5hrs)
- Hobart to Bowral – Distance 1,481km. Fly to Sydney (2hrs) and drive (1.5hrs)
- Perth to Bowral – Distance 3,818km. Fly to Sydney (4hrs) and drive (1.5hrs)
- Darwin to Bowral – Distance 4,153km. Fly to Sydney (4hrs) and drive (1.5hrs)
Bowral Accommodation Options For Families
If you’re keen on a long or short family getaways NSW experience to Bowral but unsure of where to stay with the kids. Below are some of the best hotels in Bowral for families to book:
- Berida Hotel Bowral
- Gibraltar Hotel Bowral
- Oxley Motel Bowral
- Peppers Resort Bowral (Peppers Craigieburn)
- The Sebel Bowral Heritage Park
- Milton Park Country House Hotel & Spa
Visiting Bowral in the Southern Highlands is one of the best family holidays NSW experiences out there and we bet you will be planning your return getaway to this charming town in no time.
MORE: Want more family holidays NSW hotspots to visit? Then you need to check out Port Macquarie on the mid-north coast of NSW. Here are some amazingly fun things to do in Port Macquarie kids will love. The kids will love its zoo and camel rides and you will love the beaches, winery/maze and relaxing atmosphere.
Have you been to Bowral? Share your what to do in Bowral with kids recommendations.
