Bowral Tulip Festival 2025: Dates, Tickets & Guide Information
Bowral and the Southern Highlands burst into colour each spring when the Bowral Tulip Festival, also known as Tulip Time, blooms into life. Corbett Gardens, a heritage park in the heart of town, is transformed by vibrant tulip displays and festive energy. This guide will help you plan your visit, from festival dates and ticket details to local highlights and the best places to stay in Bowral – home of tulips.
What is the Bowral Tulip Festival?
Now entering its 60-plus-year tradition, the Bowral Tulip Time is one of Australia’s oldest and most beloved spring festivals in NSW. Corbett Gardens in Bowral is the festival’s centrepiece, where local volunteers mass-plant over 75,000 to 80,000 tulip bulbs each year.
Each spring, the gardens fill with colour from tulips and seasonal blooms, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from near and far.
Over its long history, the festival has become a highlight of the Southern Highlands calendar. Each year, there are craft and food markets, garden workshops and concerts under the big elm trees. Families picnic on the lawns while musicians and dancers perform on the bandstand. The combination of performances, floral displays, and handmade art reflects Bowral’s creative energy and local pride.
- Bulbs planted: 75,000 to 80,000 annually
- Annual festival-goers: Over 40,000, both locals and tourists
- History: More than 60 years of tradition
2025 Festival dates and ticket information
The Bowral Tulip dates for the 2025 festival are set for Friday, 12 September to Monday, 6 October. During this period, Corbett Gardens, located at Bendooley Street, Bowral, will open daily from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, with extended hours until 6:00 pm on Saturdays.
Tulip tickets will be available for purchase online from mid-year, typically around July. Tickets will also be available at the gate, but only card payments are accepted. As always, this peak season draws large crowds, so you want to secure both your tulip tickets and an ideal Southern Highlands accommodation well ahead of time.
Here’s a quick overview of the expected ticket prices for 2025:
| Ticket Type | Price Per Person (AUD) |
| Adults | $18.50 |
| Youths (13 to 17 years) | $12.50 |
| Concessions | $13.50 |
| At the gate (Adults) | $20 |
| Children (under 12) | Free |
Signature activities and highlights
Each year, the Tulip Festival in Bowral brings floral design, live entertainment, and local creativity to Corbett Gardens. Visitors come to enjoy the tulip beds and take part in a full schedule of spring events.
You will find themed plantings arranged throughout the gardens to reflect colour palettes, floral patterns, and horticultural techniques. As flower lovers admire the layout, casual attendees enjoy the layered experiences; art, food, and music all woven into the day’s program. Together, these elements shape the distinct atmosphere of the Tulip Garden in Bowral.
Throughout this festival season, regional performers also take to the bandstand each day, while a dedicated artisan section showcases Southern Highland’s craftsmanship. Many attendees participate in informal garden workshops or sign up for tulip tours, which offer a behind-the-scenes look at how the displays are planned and cultivated.
As you walk through the gardens, you’ll find stalls with baked goods, coffee, and seasonal meals made with local ingredients. Many visitors make an afternoon of it, relaxing with coffee and something sweet under the trees.
These are the key festival activities you should expect:
- Tulip Garden Displays
- Live Music Performances
- Art and Craft Markets
- Guided Tours and Workshops
- Food Stalls and Picnic Areas
Best Time to Visit Bowral in Spring
The most striking displays at the Bowral Tulip Festival typically appear in the middle of the event, when tulips reach peak bloom. In recent years, this has fallen around late September. In 2024, peak bloom landed around the third week of September, with more than 80,000 tulips in full display across the gardens. That period has proven to be one of the most dependable times to visit.
That said, early October still holds its appeal. Cooler nights help extend the life of the flowers, and the festival’s final weekend often brings special events like the Garden Party and evening light displays.
For fewer crowds, visit on a weekday morning. Weekends and school holidays are usually the busiest times. If you are visiting for the first time, spring in the Southern Highlands brings more than tulips. Wisteria and ornamental blossoms line the main streets, plus the region hosts several festivals in NSW during this season, adding more incentive to plan a multi-day visit.
Remember, your best time in Bowral will depend on what you value most: whether that is the maximum colour of tulips and fewer crowds or a fuller itinerary. Either way, early spring offers the best weather and atmosphere that defines the season in this part of New South Wales.
How to Get to Bowral
Bowral is centrally located in the Southern Highlands, making it accessible from both Sydney and Canberra.
Getting to Bowral by car
From Sydney, take the M5 to the M31 (Hume Motorway) and follow the signs south. Expect around 90 minutes of travel. If you are starting from Canberra, take the Hume Highway and head north; the drive takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. Once you arrive in Bowral, local signage provides clear directions to the festival site at Corbett Gardens, located on Bendooley Street in the town centre.
Getting to Bowral by train
Southern XPLORER train 631 operates regular services from Sydney Central to Bowral station, with a journey time of about 1.5 hours. Travellers from Canberra, on the other hand, can use Transport for NSW, which operates from Canberra Station and takes around 2 hours and 26 minutes. The station is a 10-minute walk or a short taxi ride from the gardens.
Parking near the gardens
Before driving to the event, you should note that there’s no dedicated event car park, so early arrival is recommended. You’ll find parking at Merrigang Street (opposite Corbett Gardens), near Station Street, and at the Coles car park on Wingecarribee Street. Some spots have time limits, so check signage before leaving your vehicle.
Where to Stay During Tulip Time
Anyone planning to visit the Bowral Tulip Festival will find several accommodation options close to Corbett Gardens. One well-known choice is Links House, a boutique guesthouse on Links Road. Originally built in 1928, it retains its historic features while offering comfortable, thoughtfully updated rooms.
It also features welcoming lounge areas with open fireplaces and an on-site restaurant. Guests also enjoy a complimentary breakfast, and selected rooms are pet-friendly.
For those looking beyond central Bowral, the wider region offers a variety of southern highlands accommodation, including cottages, farm stays, and inns set among vineyards and rolling countryside.
Towns like Burradoo and Moss Vale provide additional options within a short drive. Some guests may also prefer a quieter escape in historic Berrima or a self-contained retreat on the outskirts of town. Since Bowral accommodation tends to fill quickly during peak bloom season, it’s best to book in advance.
Check out Links House, one of the most character-filled Southern Highlands accommodations, just minutes from the tulip gardens in Bowral.
Food and Things to Do in Bowral’s Tulip Time
Sampling local food and cuisine is one of the many things to do in Bowral during the tulip season. Festival grounds at Corbett Gardens typically feature coffee carts, snack vendors, and small produce stalls, which offer a convenient spot to enjoy local produce between events.
Most restaurants in the nearby towns also deliver seasonal menus shaped by Southern Highlands produce, served in a quiet garden setting.
After walking through the tulips, many visitors explore the nearby town centre, where cafés, bakeries, and wine bars fill the main streets. These are not only good stops for lunch or coffee but are part of the broader attractions for those seeking relaxed, local things to do in Bowral in spring.
Some of the recommended dining spots to try include:
- Ethos Restaurant at Links House offers on-site fine dining.
- The Press Shop Café (popular among locals for its breakfast and coffee).
- Gumnut Patisserie (known for pastries and baked goods).
More Southern Highlands Attractions and Spring Festivals
The Bowral Tulip Festival is an ideal starting point for exploring the region, but it’s not the only reason to spend a few days in the Southern Highlands. The area is well known for its wineries, heritage towns, and scenic drives that offer a refreshing change of pace.
A short drive from Bowral, Artemis Wines offers cool-climate vintages and picnic-friendly grounds. If you are into nature hikes and adventure, Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park is just 30 minutes away.
This 81-metre waterfall can be reached via short walking tracks and offers expansive views from its cliffside lookouts.
Closer to the town centre, Bowral’s streets are lined with antique stores, art galleries, and specialty boutiques. Located on St Jude Street is the Bradman Museum, which is a draw for cricket fans. The on-site Glebe Park and nearby side streets are also worth exploring on foot.
If time allows, stop in Robertson for country shopping at its well-known cheese factory and artisan stores. Another highlight is Berrima, a historic town with sandstone buildings and a strong sense of heritage.
These stops, paired with the region’s spring charm, make the Southern Highlands a great option for travellers exploring spring events across New South Wales.
Watch the Tulip Festival in action
If you’d like a preview of what to expect, the official Tulip Time video below offers a colourful snapshot of the festival season. It captures children exploring garden paths, families admiring sweeping tulip beds, and live music filling the air near the bandstand.
As evening sets in, the garden lights come on, casting a soft glow across the flower beds and walkways, offering a calm and scenic close to the day’s events. Click on the play icon to see the scale, energy and vibe of the festival before your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can you see tulips in Bowral?
Tulips usually bloom throughout Tulip Time, which runs from mid-September to early October. In 2025, the festival is set for 12 September to 6 October, so you’ll catch the flowers in full colour during that entire window.
How long does it take to walk through the festival?
Most people spend about an hour walking through the gardens. If you plan to take photos, have lunch, and browse stalls, allow a few extra hours.
What is the best time to see tulips?
Tulip time is usually at peak in the second half of September. Visiting midweek during this period means better light, fewer crowds, and a great chance to see the tulips at their most vibrant.
Is the festival pet-friendly?
Pets aren’t allowed on most festival days, apart from assistance dogs. There is, however, a special Dogs Day Out on the final Monday, perfect if you’d like to bring your dog along just once during the event.
What happens if it rains?
The festival goes ahead rain or shine. Light showers won’t stop attendees, and the paths usually stay walkable. Unless there’s severe weather, you can still enjoy the day. Just bring a raincoat and wear good shoes.
Final Tips for Visiting Bowral in Spring
Proper planning can make your time in Bowral more enjoyable. The region is especially popular in spring, so it’s worth getting a few things ready, especially your stay and ticket dates.
Before exploring the many things to do in Bowral in spring, here are a few quick things to keep in mind:
- Book accommodation early
- Bring sunscreen and water
- Visit on weekdays to avoid crowds
- Check the weather forecast before you travel
If you plan to visit during peak bloom, now is the time to secure your accommodation. Book your stay at Links House, the ideal Southern Highlands accommodation for festival-goers looking for well-appointed rooms, peaceful outdoor spaces and close proximity to Corbett Gardens. Rooms book out fast, so mark the dates, check availability, and reserve early to avoid missing out.