There's a beautiful truth in the way seasons turn, in the way a landscape holds its breath through the cold and then, in a single, magnificent moment, bursts into colour and life. As the Southern Highlands of New South Wales sheds its winter coat, a certain kind of magic takes hold. The air, once crisp with the scent of woodsmoke, now carries the promise of new beginnings. And at the heart of this awakening, a village with soul prepares for its most enchanting season: Tulip Time in Bowral.
For us, the annual Tulip Time Flower Festival, held from Friday, September 12, 2025, to Monday, October 6, 2025, is more than an event; it is an invitation. An invitation to slow down, to breathe in the beauty of nature's artistry, and to find inspiration in a world that has, for a moment, paused to bloom. It's a journey into a landscape that feels both timeless and fleeting, much like the delicate petals that define it.
This is our love letter to Bowral, a guide to its hidden treasures, its quiet moments, and the enduring magic that makes this season so deeply special.
Cover Image: Tulip Time has selected the stunning Blooms on Parade by Holland artist, Andrew Snyder. 2025 marks Snyder’s win of the Tulip Time poster contest. Snyder was commissioned in 2003 to paint the official poster.
The Tulip Time Flower Festival is an annual celebration where Corbett Gardens, the heart of Bowral, comes alive with the vibrant colours and delicate forms of over 75,000 tulips. The festival is more than a garden walk; it is a profound visual experience, where every path and every flowerbed is a work of living art. The carefully curated displays, from formal garden beds to cascading arrangements, are a tribute to the passion and artistry of the local community. The festival’s origins trace back to 1961 and its history is deeply tied to the Bowral community. Today, it remains one of Australia's oldest and most loved floral festivals. As you wander, you’re not just looking at flowers; you're witnessing the culmination of months of careful planning, cultivation, and care. It’s a moment to reconnect with the simple joy of nature, to be inspired by its resilience and beauty, and to leave with a heart full of hope and a camera roll full of memories.
Image sourced: Tulip Time Flower Festival
At Few & Far Bowral, we believe in bringing that same magic indoors. We’ve always been captivated by the idea of an interior space that mirrors the natural beauty outside, and this year, we have created a truly special installation to celebrate Tulip Time. Our Senior Interior Stylist, Gonia, has crafted a breathtaking floral work of art in our Bowral store. Gonia & the team in our Bowral store, spent hours attaching hundreds of tulip heads to the stems to create this installation, a meticulous and passionate process that echoes the very care taken by the gardeners of Corbett Gardens. The result is a sculptural and whimsical arrangement that brings the vibrant energy of the festival into our world, offering a moment of unexpected beauty for every visitor.
While the Tulip Festival is an unmissable highlight, if you can't make it to Bowral at this time of year, Bowral also offers another profound opportunity for discovery: the Southern Highlands Shopping Trail.
This innovative day tour was born from the vision of Allie Duval, a St George-based interior designer who sought to bridge the gap between discerning consumers and the authentic, soulful offerings of regional boutiques. Allie’s philosophy is to "create the home you were meant to live in today and you will still want to live there tomorrow". This commitment to timeless design and enduring quality extends seamlessly to her approach to shopping. As she says, “In a world of online shopping, people are longing for more meaningful, tactile experiences,” and "This tour is about slowing down, engaging with beautifully curated spaces, and supporting the passionate small business owners who bring them to life. It’s shopping with soul — and purpose". This powerful sentiment resonates deeply with Few & Far’s own ethos. The trail is, at its core, an act of conscious buying, a deliberate choice to support independent makers and regional boutiques.
Bowral is a village with a soul that runs deep, a charming tapestry of history, design, and culinary delights. What we love most about Bowral is its unique blend of rural tranquility and sophisticated living. The streets are lined with historic homes and quaint storefronts, each one with a story to tell. It’s a place where a family day trip can be as simple as wandering through the beautiful streets, visiting a park, or enjoying a delicious treat from a local cafe. The village has a welcoming, unhurried pace that invites you to slow down and truly immerse yourself in the moment.
While the tulips are the heart of the season, Bowral offers a wealth of experiences that make a day trip or a longer stay truly special. Here is our curated guide to help you get the most out of your visit to this beautiful village.
Bowral’s culinary scene is a treasure trove of flavour and atmosphere. Located behind the blue curved door on the main street of Bowral is one of our staff favourites, The Press Shop. For healthy and tasty meals in a relaxed, kid-friendly atmosphere, Raw & Wild is a fantastic option. Don't miss the queue outside Gumnut Patisserie for pastries and cakes. You can enjoy a brunch at Harry's on Green Lane, and for a more refined Italian experience, Onesta Cucina offers authentic dishes. Laura, our Bowral Store Manager, loves a plate of pasta and a chardonnay with girlfriends at Harry's and recommends grabbing a coffee and croissant at Plantation. For a memorable lunch or dinner, consider Centennial Vineyards, where you can enjoy delicious food and sample local wines while overlooking picturesque vineyards.
Bowral has a range of options, from historic pubs to charming vineyards. A high tea at Centennial Vineyards provides a perfect backdrop for final reflections, shared enjoyment, and the formation of new friendships. For a cozy pub lunch with the kids, Laura recommends the Briars, or for a pre-movie date night cocktail, Eliza's. For a great glass of wine and an elegant atmosphere, consider visiting SoHi Spirits.
Beyond the tulips, Bowral is a haven for shoppers who appreciate quality and unique finds. Bong Bong Street, Bowral's main thoroughfare, has a beautiful selection of shops and boutiques. A visit to Bowral isn't complete without stepping into the Few & Far store, which features a diverse collection of homewares, furniture, and décor. You can also explore The Book Shop Bowral and prepare for a step back in time at Dirty Janes Bowral, a vintage and antique emporium that promises a giant treasure hunt. Other delightful shops on the list of favourites here at Few & Far are the Bowral Art Gallery, Coach House Collective, Suzie Anderson Home, Hunter Gatherer Collections, Wilson Dorset, Ferris Wheel Bowral, and The Bag Lady 925 Bowral. Laura also recommends Bespoke Letterpress, Cable, Found Antiques, and Timeless for a day of shopping.
After a day exploring, a comfortable place to unwind is key. The historic Berida Hotel offers family-friendly rooms. For a unique experience, consider the Berkelouw Book Barn Cottages via Bendooley Estate. The Gibraltar Hotel provides spacious rooms and amenities like an indoor pool. For a luxurious boutique experience, Osborn House is a short drive away in Bundanoon. Laura loves Osborn House for its "flawless interiors" and the Berida Hotel for its "cute Whisky Bar and fireplace." If you prefer an AirBnb, Black Barn in Bowral, a stylish property restored by Collette Dinnigan, offers a unique stay.
Our Bowral store, with its meticulously arranged displays of furniture, homewares, and decor, offered guests a genuine, real-world experience. It allowed them to witness firsthand "how products could look, feel, and smell in your home" and is a place where customers consistently describe our store as "a shop filled with loveliness". Our showroom offers endless inspiration for creating a home with true soul and character. We invite you to come and discover Bowral for yourself, visit our store at 351 Bong Bong Street, Bowral, NSW 2576, and find a moment of calm, a piece of inspiration, or a unique treasure to take home with you. We look forward to welcoming you and being a small part of the story you weave in this beautiful village.
Drawing from years of experience in homewares and design, we celebrate conscious buying, artisanal craftsmanship, and are driven by the belief that every space should be a collection of pieces that tell stories from past and present and make ways for the narrative to continue in the future. Our mission is to inspire, guide, and help you weave a unique and meaningful story within your own walls.
