"Bowral - a great place to visit or live" Bowral by warney

Bowral Travel Guide: 44 reviews and 193 photos

Bowral station

Perhaps not the most exciting picture in the world but it does show that you are now in Bowral! Taken on the station as I arrived in Bowral.

Fashionable and attractive township in the Southern Highlands. Once a kind of hill station for Sydney's wealthy, it is now a retreat for those wanting to enjoy city living in the country.

Located 126 kilometres from Sydney and 661 metres above sea-level the Bowral area was first traversed by Europeans in 1798 when ex-convict John Wilson and his party were sent south by Governor Hunter with the aim of accumulating information about the southlands to discourage convicts who were escaping and heading south in the belief that China was only 150 miles away. Wilson had been living with the Aborigines for some years and had almost certainly been in the area prior to the expedition.

Bradman Oval

Bradman Pavilion

Although the pavilion wasn't around in Bradman's days, the Oval was and is a big part of Bowral life, bringing in much needed revenue from tourists wanting to visit the 'birth' of an Australian legend and cricket.

Don Bradman was born on 27 August 1908 and grew to become one of Australia?s most esteemed cricketers. The young Don played his early cricket in the New South Wales town of Bowral. Playing Grade cricket for St George (Sydney) and Kensington (Adelaide), he represented NSW between 1927 - 1934 and South Australia between 1935 - 1948.

Don Bradman, dubbed ?the boy from Bowral?, rose to acclaim during times of hardship, depression and recovery. He represented Australia for 20 years, playing 52 Tests from 1928 ? 1948. Knighted for his services to cricket in 1949, he remains the only Australian cricketer to receive a knighthood for the game. He retired from Test cricket with a batting average of 99.94, placing his achievements nearly twice that of the nearest Test batsman.

High Street

Street Scene

This is the Bowral High Street - a lot more modern these days. Bowral continues to remain true to it's New South Wales charm despite modernisation. During the summer months, especially during school holidays plenty of tourists and schoolchildren visit the town.

Pros and Cons

Pros:quaint, modern, charming
Cons:none

Last visit to Bowral: Feb 2004
Intro Written Feb 15, 2004
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Reviews (2)

Bradman Oval Things to Do (2)

During Bradman's time, coir matting was placed on the wicket and a shed built near the intersection of St Jude and... more travel advice

The Boy from Bowral Things to Do (2)

Sir Donald Bradman was known as the Boy from Bowral after joining St George cricket team in the Sydney city. Much has... more travel advice

Comments (2)

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pattypoo Aug 22, 2006 at 12:00 PM

Hi Warney. Small world isnt it ?. I also live in Caerphilly and spent 3months in Burradoo and went shopping in Bowral every day. Nice to read about your travels.
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craic Jun 6, 2004 at 9:27 AM

Fascinating!!!! But no need to take a taxi. Just walk there. It won't kill you.