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25 Awesome Ways To Spend September In The Southern Highlands

Spring has officially sprung, and the Highlands is blooming with tulips, treats, and way too many reasons to ditch the couch… Hooray! Here are 25 awesome things to do this September.

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Tulip Time Flower Festival – Bowral
Experience spring magic in Corbett Gardens, where over 80,000 tulips bloom in stunning colour arrays. Enjoy live entertainment, gourmet treats, and market stalls celebrating beauty and community.
When: 12 September – 6 October, daily 9.30 – 4.30pm
Where: Corbett Gardens, Bowral

Tulip Time Sparkling High Tea
Enjoy a delightful high tea with savoury bites, sweet treats, and a mimosa cocktail at Peppers Manor House.
When: Fridays to Sundays throughout the Tulip Time Festival
Where: Peppers Manor House, Sutton Forest

The Cupcake Co. Tulip Time High Tea – Berrima
Settle in among floral-themed décor at The Cupcake Co. for a high tea with rose, lavender, and elderflower-infused treats, served with premium teas and coffees.
When: Running throughout September
Where: The Cupcake Co., Berrima

Tulip Time in Style High Tea – Bowral
Enjoy an indulgent high tea amidst spring gardens. And treat yourself to a round of golf while you’re there. A refined way to celebrate Tulip Time.
When: Select dates throughout September
Where: Peppers Craigieburn, Bowral

Tulip After Dark Secret Garden – Bowral
Step into a whimsical, Alice-in-Wonderland-inspired Secret Garden with artisan markets, live music, and playful entertainment for all ages. Free entry.
When: Select dates throughout September
Where: Millsheds, Bowral

Sunset Evenings at Retford Park – Bowral
Sip canapés and drinks on the verandah while the gardens glow at twilight, then enjoy a lamp-lit tour of the historic mansion.
When: Select dates throughout September, 5:00 PM–7:00 PM
Where: Retford Park, Bowral

Celebrate Papa Early at Franquette Crêperie – Bowral
Franquette Crêperie hosts a pre-Father’s Day soirée with indulgent galettes, duck liver parfait, and fine wines.
When: Saturday, 6 September. Bookings essential
Where: Franquette Crêperie, Bowral

New York, New York: Impressions in Ink by Desmond Freeman – Bowral
Desmond Freeman showcases striking pen-and-ink cityscapes of New York at White Cottage Gallery, Retford Park.
When: 11 September – 12 October, Thursday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm. Entry free
Where: White Cottage Gallery, Retford Park, Bowral

Jimmy Nardello Dinners at Moonacres Kitchen – Robertson
Enjoy seasonal Italian fare at Moonacres Kitchen. Fridays feature family-friendly sourdough pizzas and rustic pastas from $20, while Saturdays offer a three-course Italian dinner for $60. Bookings essential.
When: 5 – 6 September
Where: Moonacres Kitchen, Robertson

Weaving Threads of Wellness for Brain Health, an Evening with Dr. Trini Dickson – Bowral
Dr. Trini Dickson leads a creative workshop exploring how crafting supports cognitive health, with refreshments and social stitching.
When: Thursday, 4 September, 5pm – 7pm
Where: Springetts Arcade, Bowral

Father’s Day at Bistro Sociale – Bowral
celebrate the dad at your table with a long lunch or indulgent dinner at Bistro Sociale. From hearty cuts to shared bites made for a glass in hand and a tapas-style affair, we have everything you need to spoil him!⁠ Bookings essential.
When: Sunday, 7 September
Where: Bistro Sociale at Berida Hotel, Bowral

Father’s Day High Tea or Lunch – Bowral
Choose from either High Tea or a special à la carte lunch with chef specials, in an iconic Highlands setting. Bookings essential.
When: Sunday, 7 September
Where: Centennial Vineyards Restaurant, Bowral

Father’s Day Feast and a Round of Golf – Bowral
Treat Dad to a 9-hole round of golf plus a shared-style feast of ribs, pork belly, lamb wellington, chips, and more. Bookings essential.
When: Sunday, 7 September
Where: Hickory Restaurant, Peppers Craigieburn, Bowral

Masterclass in Garden Design with Paul Bangay – Bowral
Join Paul Bangay for insights into timeless garden design at Oxley Hill Flower Farm. A rare opportunity to learn from a celebrated landscape designer. Bookings essential.
When: Sunday, 14 September, 9.30- 12.30pm
Where: Oxley Hill Flower Farm, Bowral

Unfolding Story by Katherine Rooney – Bowral
Katherine Rooney’s exhibition celebrates the landscapes and colours of the Southern Highlands at the beautiful White Cottage Gallery, Retford Park.
When: 4 – 7 September
Where: White Cottage Gallery, Retford Park, Bowral

Beekeepers Long Lunch – Bowral
Enjoy a locavore long lunch with honey harvesting, sketching, and a four-course meal paired with local wines at Retford Park. Bookings essential.
When: Select dates throughout September
Where: Bowral Honey Farm, Retford Park, Bowral

Highlands Music Collective presents Music That Moves – Bowral
Watch dancers interpret J.S. Bach’s baroque dances at Bowral Memorial Hall in a captivating performance. Bookings essential.
When: Friday, 5 September, 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Where: Bowral Memorial Hall

Retro DJ Night at Royal Hotel – Bowral
Dance to the hottest hits from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s every Friday night.
When: Every Friday, 9.30pm
Where: The Royal Hotel, Bowral

Author Event with Australian Botanist, Tim Entwisle – Bowral
Join botanist Tim Entwisle for morning tea and the launch of The Sceptical Botanist, including Q&A and book signing. Bookings essential.
When: Friday, 5 September, 10am – 12pm
Where: Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens, Bowral

The New Bowral Market – Bowral
The iconic Bowral Market has returned, and it’s better than ever! Browse premium artisan stalls, fresh produce, flowers, food trucks, and live music.
When: Saturday, 13 September, from 8am
Where: Bowral Bowling Club Carpark, Bowral

Bowral Art Gallery Celebrity Portrait Reveal – Bowral
Lawrence Mooney is the 2025 celebrity. Enjoy a gala lunch, portrait unveilings, comedy, Zero Central Circus, and a silent auction supporting Bowral Art Gallery. Bookings essential.
When: Sunday, 14 September, 12.30pm
Where: Centennial Vineyards Restaurant

Forest Bathing by Steel City Strings – Bowral
A concert inspired by forest bathing featuring world premieres and works by Beaugeais, Fromhyr, Kats-Chernin, Shaw, and Whitehall. Bookings essential.
When: Sunday, 14 September, 2pm – 4pm
Where: Bowral Memorial Hall, Bowral

Otto by Otto, Film Screening – Bowral
Watch Gracie Otto’s documentary about her father Barry Otto, with a panel discussion including Dementia Australia and Harbison’s allied health team. Tickets include choc top or small popcorn.
When: Wednesday, 17 September, 10.30am
Where: Empire Cinemas, Bowral

Moss Vale Picnic Train – Bowral
Ride historic steam locomotive 5917 to Bowral for Tulip Time, with free time in Bowral or Moss Vale, optional high tea, and an exclusive gin distillery experience. Bookings essential.
When: Sunday, 14 September
Where: Bowral or Moss Vale Train Stations

Dahlia Workshop with Graeme Davis – Bowral
Join dahlia expert Graeme Davis for a hands-on workshop on planting, propagating, and caring for dahlias. Morning tea included. Limited spots available. Bookings essential.
When: Sunday, 28 September, 10am
Where: Southern Highlands Botanical Gardens

And honestly folks, these events are just scratching the surface. There’s plenty more to eat, sip, and swan around at this spring! So clear the calendar and dive in. Check out the full list of events here

Happy Spring!

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