Discover Bowral: Cricket, Gardens and Walking Trails

Bowral offers several distinct visitor experiences: cricket history, a memorial walk, a spring flower show and short walks to lookouts. For planning, it helps to distinguish between a self-guided circuit, a route through several parks, a garden visit and a guided tour. This lets you choose the focus of your trip based on the topics that interest you.

Cricket history: oval, walk and museum

Bradman Oval is historically significant because of its connection to Sir Donald Bradman’s cricket activities at state level. For a walk in Bowral, consider the Bradman Walk: this self-guided, level path is a 1.7-kilometre circuit that takes about 45 minutes. It is accessible to all ages and suitable for prams and wheelchairs. Check the local trail details before your visit, as they may change.

The Bradman Museum is dedicated to the stories and personalities that shape the spirit of cricket, and features interactive displays. Exhibits include playing equipment, original recordings and the history of cricket. This brings both the people behind the sport and specific objects on display into focus. Exhibitions may change over time; if you want to see particular content, check what is currently on display beforehand.

A memorial walk through four parks

The Bowral Vietnam War Memorial Cherry Tree Walk is a five-kilometre memorial walk through Rivulet Park, Foley Park, Venables Park and Shepherd Park. Each Tai-Haki Japanese Cherry Blossom tree along the walk was intended to honour community members who served their country. At five kilometres, the walk is longer than the Bradman Walk’s 1.7-kilometre circuit and also differs in its memorial character.

Tulip Time at Corbett Gardens

In the centre of Bowral, Corbett Gardens is the focal point of the Tulip Time flower festival. The gardens showcase more than 75,000 densely planted tulips as well as 15,000 annual plants. Held each September, the spring festival attracts more than 40,000 people. For travel planning, this links a specific month with a seasonal garden display; check the event dates beforehand. Corbett Gardens also has a picnic area and is wheelchair accessible.

Walks and lookouts at Mount Gibraltar

Mount Gibraltar is the highest point between the Illawarra Coast and the Great Dividing Range. Numerous lookouts can be reached from the mountain. The short walks on the mountain take between 10 and 45 minutes; this range helps you plan a shorter or longer walk. For a direct comparison of times: the Bradman Walk is a circuit of about 45 minutes, while the short walks at Mount Gibraltar take between 10 and 45 minutes.

Guided tours at Retford Park

Retford Park offers guided tours of James Fairfax’s former home. Here, the focus is on a guided tour rather than a self-guided route. Tour availability may change, so check beforehand whether a tour is offered on your preferred date.

Discover more destinations: Werai, Canyonleigh, Balmoral, Berrima, Burrawang, Bundanoon

For the main travel overview: Wingecarribee Shire Council.