How to spend a refined 24 hours in Bowral
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The Southern Highlands have long been a cosmopolitan getaway for Canberrans searching for a holiday destination that oozes quiet charm and country life.
Set amongst the tiny villages that make up the region, few can deny that Bowral is the jewel that sparkles the brightest.
It’s not only home to high-profile residents and property owners like Nicole Kidman, Collette Dinnigan, Miriam Margolyes, Ben Quilty, and Jimmy Barnes; Bowral is the embodiment of Southern Highlands charm thanks to its English countryside-like ambience.
But unlike the Cotswolds, you don’t need a passport to travel here – and it offers so much more beyond stunning scenery and fascinating heritage.
Here’s how to spend the perfect refined country escape in Australia’s number one country town and number five travel destination (out of 100), according to Australian Traveller.
STAY
Credit: St Bodhi.
When staying in Bowral, you want to choose a location that echoes the town: something with character and history that leans more ‘boutique’ than ‘bougie’. Staying in the childhood home of Australian cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman ticks all those boxes.
Offering a unique experience for cricket and history fans – as well as those who can’t resist the idea of a cottage stay in the country – No. 52 Bowral is the newest addition to the accommodation offerings in the town.
Owned and operated by Mandy Haddon and her partner, the lovingly restored 1890s home recently opened for bookings in April 2026, seeing new life brought to the space.
And while on the surface it’s a tribute to Sir Donald Bradman, No. 52 is so much more than a simple shrine.
A brief history
Credit: St Bodhi.
Before he was a cricketing legend, Sir Donald Bradman was just a boy growing up in Bowral. Moving to 52 Shepherd Street at the age of three – where No. 52 stands today – what makes this address so significant is simple: it’s where he spent his formative years practicing cricket.
Hitting golf balls against the backyard corrugated iron water tank stand (which still stands there with balls waiting for those willing to try), he moved out aged 15 to pursue his passion, eventually becoming the best cricket player in Australian history.
For those – like myself – who don’t know anything about cricket, Sir Donald Bradman’s incomprehensible Test batting average of 99.94 has gone down in sporting history. A statistical anomaly (apparently nearly double the average of other all-time greats), he was also the first Australian cricketer to be knighted and was a talented musician who was very close to playing at concert pianist level.
Inside No. 52 Bowral
Credit: St Bodhi.
The beauty of No. 52 Bowral is its character. Retaining many of the Victorian-era charms that Sir Donald Bradman would have grown up with – including a wood-burning fireplace, heritage ceiling heights and joinery – the history of the cottage is balanced with contemporary and modern touches.
Think: brass beds and leather chairs contrasted with locally sourced artwork, brightly coloured linen and cosy pillows. For those who don’t love cricket, it’s whimsical. And for those who do, there are several nods to the history of the home.
The layout of the bedroom where Sir Donald Bradman slept has been retained – including the addition of a horseshoe above what would have been ‘his’ bed. The Library is filled with fascinating memorabilia and sporting treasures (including caps, bats, cricket balls and a period typewriter containing an original letter) while the sitting room contains a piano as a nod to his musical past.
Credit: St Bodhi.
Meanwhile, the original stables have been converted into a self-contained studio, preserving the structure while creating additional guest space, while the garden echoes Victorian and Edwardian planting styles.
Sleeping eight in total, small touches like the complimentary whisky in the library and the gift basket awaiting guests in the fully functioning kitchen upon arrival make the house instantly feel like a home. It’s this eye for detail that makes a stay feel less like an escape and more like an embrace.
As for the name? It’s a nod to both the original address and the number of Test matches Sir Donald Bradman played.
EAT
It’s no secret that Bowral is a gourmet getaway. Upon arrival at No.52 Bowral, we were treated to a charcuterie box from the Hot Canary, a gourmet butchery dedicated to sourcing free range, hormone and GMO-free meats. Filled with a generous selection of brie, a selection of crackers, fresh seasonal fruit, hummus, dried nuts, chilli relish, salamis and San Daniele Prosciutto, we were very content until our dinner booking at The Berida Hotel.
The Brussels sprouts were a real highlight.
Romantic and moody with plush textures and intricate details, dining at the hotel’s Bistro Sociale felt like being transported back in time. Overlooking stunning grounds and filled with the soft sounds of a crackling fire and quiet conversations, it’s luxurious and seems like a place that locals love to linger. This isn’t surprising – the wine list stretches from Bowral to Bordeaux, and the menu is timeless, elevating classic dishes to new heights. We skipped entrées and appetisers, going straight to mains (to save room for dessert).
We ordered the Grilled Heritage Pork Cutlet served with sherry vinegar-infused apple, Kipfer potato and a petite gem lettuce salad along with the 250g Eye Fillet served with pomme frites, mixed leaf salad and Béarnaise sauce. Adding sides of Brussels sprouts with pancetta and vincotto and glazed baby carrots served on a bed of honey and whipped lemon ricotta, the first thing that impressed us was the portions.
The next was the flavours. Perfectly balanced and moreish, the combination of atmosphere, wine and food made for a wonderful evening.
As for dessert? The house-baked sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream and the gluten-free chocolate fondant (served with dulce de leche, caramel and macadamia ice cream) were well worth the wait.
Mouth-watering gluten-free chocolate fondant.
For brunch, a short trip into Moss Vale to The What If Society certainly impressed.
Founded by local Chef, Eilish Maloney, The What if Society is more than a place to eat – it’s an assembly of passionate, like-minded chefs and creatives in the Southern Highlands who are working together to educate, inspire and grow in their shared passion for food, sustainability and the natural environment.
A hybrid café and wine bar boasting house-made drinks, small-batch cocktails, and a carefully curated wine list, it’s located on the main street, but you feel a mile away from the road the moment you walk through the door.
The all-day menu here is small but includes a few classic brunch choices (like the Breakfast Roll and the simply named ‘Eggs’) with some interesting and innovative choices. An example? The Chickpea Pancakes, served with cashew cheese, pickles and ferments.
But it’s the Trust the Chef menu you should try. Seasonal, spontaneous, and a little bit unexpected, for $60 you let the chef take complete control after letting them know of any dietary requirements and preferences. The result is two delicious dishes to share – and they might not even be on the menu.
An example of the Trust the Chef menu.
After brunch, we popped into The Exchange, their local grocer and providore. Selling freshly baked bread, house pickles and ferments, seasonal produce, take-home meals, and small-batch gourmet meats, it’s all about celebrating the best of what’s grown and made locally.
Finally, it might not technically be in Bowral, but when in the Southern Highlands, a meal at Paste in Mittagong is the reservation you need to make. The only Good Food Guide Hatted Restaurant in the region, Paste is where internationally acclaimed chef Bee Satongun sets the stage for Australia’s version of Thailand’s famous, Michelin-starred culinary institution, Paste Bangkok.
Using fresh Australian ingredients to reimagine ancient Thai recipes, the menu is a fusion of old and new with some surprising culinary combinations proving why it’s so renowned.
The Chiang Mai Chicken Curry.
You can opt for a tasting menu, but if the À La Carte offering is (understandably) too overwhelming, there are several highlights.
The Yum Tauwai Prawns served with seablite, asparagus, star fruit, and sesame seed in a Thai herbal sauce is a must-try canapé, and for the mains it was hard to go past the Southern Barramundi Curry with turmeric and preserved jackfruit and the Chiang Mai Chicken Curry with chicken stock, pickled garlic, ginger and spices.
The Yum Tauwai Prawns.
Sadly, we physically couldn’t fit in any more food, but the roasted duck rice crackers, sticky five spice lacquered pork leg and stir-fried mixed mushrooms with gourd and Chinese broccoli also caught our eye.
An adventure for the palate, it was the perfect meal to end a flavour-filled trip.
PLAY
A vintage shopper’s paradise, when in Bowral it’s only right to make a stop at the original Dirty Janes. Home to 85 unique vintage sellers who personally source and stock daily, it’s very easy to spend an hour or two perusing the shelves to see what you can uncover.
The Berkelouw Book Barn in Berrima is another charming stop for those who can’t resist a good book (or a good meal). Just a 10-minute drive from Bowral, it’s located on the historic Bendooley Estate and is home to thousands of new, second-hand, rare and antiquarian books. It’s also home to the Bendooley Estate Restaurant, so when you get tired of browsing books you can sit down for a meal amongst the pages or enjoy a wine tasting from the cellar door.
And finally, a trip to the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame is a must when staying at No. 52 Bowral. Not only is it the perfect way to find out more about the man behind the myth, but it also celebrates the stories and people who have helped to shape the spirit of cricket. Located on the edge of the Bradman Oval, the extensive exhibits are fascinating no matter how much (or little) knowledge you have about the sport.
GETTING THERE
At just under two hours from Canberra via the Federal and Hume Highways, Bowral makes for an effortless weekend escape. As the city melts away into rolling green hills, you’ll be delivered straight from Canberra right into the heart of country charm.
The author travelled to Bowral courtesy of No. 52 Bowral.
Feature image: St Bodhi.
