Bowral: Cricket History, Tulip Time and Mount Gibraltar Trails

Bowral appeals to travellers with a range of interests: cricket history, a strong tradition of flower festivals, and trails ranging from flat walks to short hikes on Mount Gibraltar. For families, the Bradman Walk is a practical option: it is self-guided, flat and accessible to all ages, including people with prams and wheelchairs. Other options include a memorial walk, lookout points and guided tours. You can explore Bowral on foot according to your interests, whether sporting history, botany or the outdoors.

Cricket history in Bowral

Bradman Oval is historically significant because of its connection to Sir Donald Bradman’s cricket activities at state level. The Bradman Museum focuses on the same sport from a different perspective: it is dedicated to the stories and personalities that shape the spirit of cricket, and features interactive exhibits. Other topics and items on display include playing equipment, original footage and the history of cricket. Those interested in the sport can choose between a historically significant oval and the museum’s exhibits. The stories and personalities complement the equipment and footage by offering a look at what has shaped cricket.

Tulip Time at Corbett Gardens

Corbett Gardens is the centre of the Tulip Time flower festival. More than 75,000 densely planted tulips and 15,000 annual plants are displayed there. The annual flower festival attracts more than 40,000 people each September in spring. The season is therefore an important consideration for anyone planning their stay around Tulip Time. Corbett Gardens also has a picnic area and is accessible. The gardens bring together the festival flowers and a place to take a break; attending the festival and having a picnic are two distinct reasons to include the gardens in your plans.

Walks and hikes

The Bradman Walk is a self-guided, flat 1.7-kilometre loop that takes about 45 minutes. The trail is accessible to all ages, as well as to prams and wheelchairs. Its length and approximate duration provide concrete points of reference for planning your day, without implying a different type of route: it is a loop.

The Bowral Vietnam War Memorial Cherry Tree Walk is a memorial walk that stretches for 5 kilometres through Rivulet Park, Foley Park, Venables Park and Shepherd Park. A Tai-Haki Japanese Cherry Blossom tree stands along the route; each tree was intended to honour community members who had served their country. The memorial purpose shapes this walk, whereas the Bradman Walk is named primarily for its connection to cricket and Sir Donald Bradman.

Mount Gibraltar has short hikes lasting 10 to 45 minutes. Numerous lookout points can be accessed from Mount Gibraltar. It is also the highest point between the Illawarra Coast and the Great Dividing Range. If you want to focus on short hikes and lookout points, this offers a different emphasis from Bowral’s themed trails.

More ideas for your visit

Retford Park offers guided tours of James Fairfax’s former home. This adds a visit focused on a historic residence to the options related to cricket, flowers and walks. When looking for holiday accommodation in Bowral, you could first consider which of these interests you want to shape your stay: cricket history, the September blooms of Tulip Time, a memorial walk, short hikes or a guided tour.

More destinations: Werai, Balmoral, Bundanoon, Canyonleigh, Burrawang, Berrima.

Back to the main travel overview: Wingecarribee Shire Council.