Bowral

Bowral

In the last decade, Bowral has become the bourgeois capital of the Southern Highlands, and as such, hosts many boutique stores, restaurants, and a hell of a lot of cafes. Although people tend to visit the Southern Highlands to get away from big city living, almost anything you could want can be found in Bowral. From art galleries to weekend markets, every weekend is filled with fun things to see and do. To the locals, it's the town with the soul of an accountant.

With the Southern Highlands having very distinct seasons, many tourists find the best time to visit Bowral would be during either autumn or spring. During autumn, the trees explode with bright reds and oranges, and the air has a crispness that can only be experienced at a higher altitude. Spring on the other hand finds the area bloom with vibrant springtime annuals such as the popular tulip, and many of the local gardens become open to the Public, including one of the most esteemed gardens in the world, the famous Milton Park. All year round you can spot imported European cars and SUVs all over Bowral.

During spring, Bowral's annual Tulip Time event becomes one of the Highland's biggest annual attractions, bringing in many thousands of visitors every year. Held every September to October, Tulip Time in Bowral has become one of Australia's leading floral festivals, and Corbett Gardens, found smack bang in the middle of Bowral, Corbett Gardens displays a huge array of Tulips, as well as other bright and vibrant springtime bulbs, shrubs and trees.

How about some statistics

There are roughly 6,971 people that consider Bowral home. Approximately 45.79% of people in Bowral are male, and 44.87% of them are married. The average age is 48.

42% of eligible workers in Bowral consider themselves employable. Of those that are capable of labour, 54% work full-time. The official unemployment rate for Bowral is roughly 4.54%. The average wage of the people that live in Bowral is $498 per week.

There are roughly 3,494 properties in Bowral, and apparently 85% of them are occupied. Of those properties that are occupied, 38% are owned by the people that actually live in them. A further 19% are currently on their way to own their home. In Bowral, only 4% of properties are units or apartments. The average rent in Bowral is about $220 per week.

A Brief History of Bowral

In the late 1850's, John Oxley had purchased 5000 acres of land from Governor Brisbane. Although a deed was never issued before his death, this land is what we now know as Bowral. In 1859, the land was subdivided by Oxley's son, and a private village was set up to attract Sydney visitors, as well as to give comfort and a place to stay for the many railway workers constructing the railway line from Sydney. Originally named Wingecarribee by the Oxley Family, it was later renamed to Burradoo before eventually being named Bowral. The name Bowral was derived from Bowrel, which was the Aboriginal name given to the area. Bowrel is thought to have meant "large" or "high", referring to Mt Gibraltar.

Once the railway line had been completed, Bowral soon became a summer holiday retreat for many wealthy Sydney residents. These Sydneysiders had come to the area to not only get away from Sydney, but due the Southern Highlands' cooler climate, escape the often scorching and humid Sydney summers. They have since left a legacy of magnificent mansions and spacious gardens containing, due to the English climate of the area, many European deciduous and evergreen trees, exotic plants and flowering annuals.

For a more detailed history on Bowral, select any of the history articles to the top left of the page.

Map of Bowral

Accommodation in Bowral

Restaurants in Bowral

Cafes in Bowral

Shopping in Bowral

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related information

Bowral History

Bowral History Churches

Bowral History Institutions

Bowral History Lodges and the Co-operative Movement

Bowral History Municipal Council

Bowral History Newspapers and Amusements

Bowral History Parks

Bowral History Public Utilities 1

Bowral History Public Utilities 2

Bowral History Schools

Bowral History Sports

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