Picture supplied.The rise of the Wollongong Vikings continues unabated after Andrew Barrett's team accounted for Bowral on Saturday All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe win against the Blacks sees the Vikings sit on top of the competition table just two years after sitting out the season The Vikings have now won three of their four games to date The all-conquering Shoalhaven remain the only team yet to lose in 2025 Tommy Sawden played a leading role in the Vikings' 21-15 victory at Bowral Rugby Park contributing nine points from a try and two conversions David Capp and Te Kauri Henare also scored a try each for Vikings while Hamish Pinn bagged two five-pointers for Bowral Meantime, last season's beaten grand finalists, Kiama downing a gallant Shamrocks 35-24 at Ocean Park The visiting Cows outscored Shamrocks five tries to four on the way to picking up their first competition points Camden prevailed 23-19 in their local derby over Campbelltown Harelquins Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure. Today's top stories curated by our news team Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters Get the latest property and development news here Find out what's happening in local business tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert Your digital replica of Today's Paper Test your skills with interactive crosswords they’re really thinking of Bowral – a historic town about 90 minutes’ drive south of Sydney cool-climate wineries and the equally charming hamlets of Berrima Bowral’s tree-lined streets glow in hues of burnt orange as boutiques and cafes swell with well-heeled daytrippers pulling flower enthusiasts from across the state The charming locale rose to prominence in the late 1800s during the construction of the Sydney to Melbourne railway line It continued to flourish into the new century including the area’s original church and courthouse Australia’s oldest commercial movie theatre Bowral is better known as the home of the Tulip Time Festival which has been running for more than 60 years and sees 80,000 photogenic flowers in bloom Tens of thousands of attendees flock to Corbett Gardens every September to see the colourful display the Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame also draws thousands of cricket fans from around the world each year It’s dedicated to legendary batsman Sir Donald Bradman Browse Domain’s property and lifestyle magazines a lovely little cafe with an elegant frontage and a curvaceous baby blue door on Bong Bong Street pomegranate and chilli oil on toasted pita to spirulina bowls crowned with seasonal fruit The cafe shares space with the flagship Bespoke Letterpress store an internationally renowned luxury Aussie stationery and lifestyle brand using restored vintage printing presses dating back to 1893 Rush Roasting Co flies the flag for Southern Highlands specialty coffee Its award-winning blend is brewed every way and served alongside classic cafe fare including house-made muesli and panini Harry’s on Green Lane is the casual wine bar and bistro every country town needs a roaring fireplace and provincial French fare worth travelling for Bistro Sociale at Berida Hotel dials up white-tablecloth elegance for a proper Gallic steakhouse experience (Bonus points for the set lunch menu.) Fancy an after-dinner drink has you covered with cocktails and an impressive selection of more than 100 whiskies Eschalot delivers one of the state’s top destination dining experiences inside a heritage sandstone cottage in Berrima pinot noir and sparkling wine can be found at Bendooley Estate Tractorless Vineyard and Artemis Wines – essential stops for any vino lover exploring the highlands with Jacob McKinnon from Highlands Property Canterbury: Why high-end buyers love this old timey suburb Brighton: What’s got celebs and foodies flocking to this bayside locale The information on this website is intended to be of a general nature only and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. where we are privileged to live and operate The best things to do in Bowral revolve around being immersed in the landscape. The heart of NSW’s Southern Highlands is a destination for all seasons: it offers everything from spring blooms to autumn foliage, music festivals in summer and wine and log fires in winter. And that’s not to mention the cafe culture sporting history and retail therapy you’ll find here any day of the year Here is our list of the top 20 things to do in Bowral just 90 minutes by car from both Sydney and Canberra Ngunungula means ‘belonging’ in the traditional language of the Gundungurra First Nations people Visiting the regional gallery Ngunungula is now considered to be up there with the very best things to do in Bowral The gallery founded by award-winning artist Ben Quilty is set within a meadow of wildflowers in an old dairy farm on the historic Retford Park estate And the regional art gallery in the Southern Highlands offers an inspired space for creatives As well as hosting significant exhibitions Hearth by Moonacres is adjacent to the gallery and is committed to the ethical production of food delivered from the paddock to the plate. Book a farm tour with owner Phil Lavers to better understand where your food comes from. The Milk Factory Gallery and dinky Bowral Gallery are also worth a visit The elegant grounds at Peppers Craigieburn in Bowral Bowral became a fashionable summer retreat for Sydney’s gentry at the end of the 19th century and many great country estates were built because of this early tourism boom. Fast-forward more than a century and many of these old manor houses now provide unique accommodation in the Southern Highlands Properties such as Peppers Craigieburn Bowral, Peppers Manor House Sutton Forest, Berida Hotel and The Coach House at The Rift Estate combine heritage charm with modern luxuries atmospheric common spaces with roaring open fires and Osborn House in nearby Bundanoon must also be included in a round-up of places to put on your radar. Nearby, The Pill Factory remains one of the coolest places to stay in the Southern Highlands READ MORE: Best places to stay in Bowral and surrounds Enjoy Double Roasters coffee and fresh baked goods at Plantation A hands-down highlight of any trip to Bowral is dipping into its hip cafes for a caffeine fix. Start out at The Press Shop housed in a harmonious space within the flagship Bespoke Letterpress building The Press Shop serves excellent coffee and handcrafted teas Just down the street in the thriving Green Lane shopping and dining precinct is Plantation, the sister venue to popular restaurant and wine bar Harry’s On Green Lane The light and plant-filled space serves Double Roasters coffee Bowral institution Dirty Janes is also sitting pretty on the main drag Note that fossicking for vintage finds here is one of the best things to do in Bowral READ MORE: Top 17 cafes in and around Bowral Dirty Janes’ serves a famous high tea that you’d be remiss not to treat yourself to Treat yourself to a dreamy high tea at Dirty Janes’ salon Enjoy this most quintessentially English endeavour while you sip on Highlands Tea Company brews from dainty cups and saucers and nibble on pinwheel sandwiches While we’ve got our eye on a range of flavours, such as the lavender, rose, and white chocolate and cinnamon, you can’t go past the classic scone for country comfort. There are also gluten-free options available. All come with the requisite generous dollops of jam and cream on the side. Book ahead on weekends. Dirty Jane’s also has the spin-off Salter’s a licensed café guaranteed to brighten your day in Bowral Pick up some indoor plants at The Orangery The thriving Green Lane precinct is also a haven for those in the market for unique gardening supplies and homewares You will also find The Orangery selling indoor plants Expect a careful edit of Italian linen clothing and Portuguese porcelain by Bordello Pinheiro Green Lane adjoins Dirty Janes Antique Market a mecca for those who love sourcing unique vintage pieces – from furnishings to ornaments and jewellery The market is home to over 60 independent dealers Explore the homeware collection for sale at Few & Far Visit Highlands Emporium and Few & Far for quirky and quaint homewares. And the Rabbit Trap Timber in nearby Sutton Forest to find inspiration for your rustic farmhouse fit-out The culinary offering at Bistro Sociale is casual yet elevated The Southern Highlands has become somewhat of a hub for foodies and eating out is definitely one of the best things to do in Bowral. Make a dinner reservation at Onesta Cucina the name of which translates to ‘honest kitchen’ with its ambient lighting and vintage Campari posters Make a beeline for Paste Australia led by Bongkoch ‘Bee’ Satongun and husband Jason Bailey who earned a Michelin star for their sister restaurant in Bangkok Head to Bistro Sociale at the Berida Hotel for a carefully crafted wine list designed to complement French-inspired fare The restaurant is tucked away in the charming Berida Hotel READ MORE: The best places to eat in Bowral Explore the legacy of cricketing great Sir Donald Bradman The Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame explores the legacy of cricketing icon Sir Donald Bradman in his hometown of Bowral Set on the edge of Bradman Oval in pretty Glebe Park the museum incorporates interactive displays with fascinating memorabilia The collection is one of national significance that tells the story not only of Bradman but of cricket itself – from its origins right through to the Big Bash League The museum is also the start and finish point of a self-guided tour of Bowral from Bradman’s perspective The 1.7-kilometre Bradman Walk takes about 45 minutes to complete and visits historic sites associated with the legend Stroll through fields of tulips at Corbett Gardens Elegant gardens have long been a drawcard for visitors to the Southern Highlands. Corbett Gardens is one of Bowral’s oldest and most beautiful gardens It dates to 1911 when the local tourist association purchased a disused patch of land called Deadmans Paddock in the centre of Bowral and transformed it into a public park With its huge array of tulips and colourful springtime bulbs, Corbett Gardens is the centrepiece of Tulip Time Festival which is held each September. The countryside is also in reach at Southern Highlands Botanical Gardens which has a beautiful grove of birch trees and sculptures dotted around the landscape Sample the wines at Bowral’s nearby wineries READ MORE: The best wineries in the Southern Highlands The Southern Highlands is a relatively young wine region It has a high elevation and seasons that are perfectly primed to produce cool-climate wines such as pinot noir the region now has more than 60 vineyards and 15 cellar doors This gives us an extra incentive to get out and explore the beautiful rural landscape Get a taste of bushwalking in the Southern Highlands by exploring the Mt Gibraltar Reserve on the outskirts of town 130 hectares of restored natural forest surround the summit of collapsed volcano Mt Gibraltar it’s the highest point between Sydney and Canberra From up here you can see three different perspectives via the Bowral Mittagong and Jellore lookouts; the 1.2-kilometre Rim Track connects all three Bendooley Estate Larder is a must-stop for grabbing some pastries for the road One of the best things to do in Bowral is to pack a picnic and find a shady spot to unfurl your red-checked blanket. Pack your hamper full of local produce and enjoy it alongside stunning views of the rolling countryside. Head into Fermento Artisan Bakery or sister venue Baked in Berrima to pick up croissants and apple cinnamon scrolls Bendooley Estate Larder is the place to go to pick up provisions for a picnic The Larder has tapped the chefs in the kitchens of Bendooley Estate for everything from salads to wraps It’s also raided the paddocks and pantries of its favourite providores to provide a showcase of the region’s bounty Visit Bendooley Estate and explore the Berkelouw Book Barn in nearby Berrima No trip to Bowral is complete without spending a day idling between its surrounding towns Each has its own distinct character and history and all are within an easy drive of one another Don’t miss Mittagong, where ivy-clad cafe The Boston Ivy 1880 serves one of the best brunches around Score a table for coffee and cake at Berkelouw’s famous Book Barn on Bendooley Estate in Berrima And duck into old-school sweets store Lolly Swagman for road-trip treats Mark nearby Moss Vale on your map for its collection of boutiques Wilson & Dorset is renowned for its laid-back luxury range Wilson & Dorset chose Bowral as the base for its first Australian store because of its proximity to the countryside The store with a cult following in New Zealand is known for its laid-back luxury range that includes everything from plush sheepskin rugs to modular furniture The store interiors were designed by Melbourne-based NZ-born architect James McNab to be an immersive retail experience Fitzroy Falls plunges more than 80 metres below Fitzroy Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in NSW It is 23 kilometres south of Bowral in Morton National Park and cascades some 80 metres into the Yarrunga Valley Be sure to explore the award-winning Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre to learn more about the traditional country of the Yuin people Belmore Falls is also in Morton National Park. Hike to the waterfall via the Belmore Falls Walking Track which tumbles some 100 metres over three tiers. It’s also worth the effort to trek to Forty Foot Falls some six kilometres out of Bowral It’s a place of immense natural beauty Laze by the pool at Park Proxi for some R&R Notice your anxiety levels dropping dramatically when you tap into the newest wellness trend: float therapy. The fast-growing City Cave franchise has centres dotted all around the country including Bowral And the chic and minimalistic centre has a lot to offer from infrared saunas to the float pool and massage centre Check the website for the Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral to see what packages are on offer as the hotel runs ongoing collabs with City Cave Bowral to give its guests another option to relax and unwind midweek The tanks are growing in popularity with everyone from wellness warriors to sporting types The Southern Highlands Food & Wine Festival is the go-to getaway for gourmands who are drawn to the annual event in droves. The festival puts the focus on the region’s award-winning producers, makers and growers. Check the Ngununggula website for events worth circling in your cultural calendar The gallery led by acclaimed artist Ben Quilty coordinates a Midwinter Festival each year with themes such as Playing with Fire Those visiting the Southern Highlands for the first time are bound to ask what the best thing to do in Bowral is? Visiting Bowral Market on the second Saturday of the month is up there The market is held at the Bowral Bowling Club and attracts a diverse array of stallholders selling everything from bric-a-brac to produce and plants The market is also one of the destination’s biggest draws for its people-watching It’s also the place to meet small producers Ask for tips on what to cook after you fill your eco bag with their premium produce Eden Brewery serves up excellent beers on tap Bowral’s Millsheds Distillery & Bar has evolved from being a live music venue to a premier distillery Raise a glass to celebrate the distillery winning silver medals at the London Spirits Competition and International Wine & Spirits Competition placing it among the top gins in Australia The distillery also offers immersive experiences such as tours and gin-blending classes Do you have more of a head for hops? Well, Eden Brewery is a good bet The craft brewery boasts an impressive range of beers from IPAs to porters The brewery also serves up solid pub grub with a side serve of live music See stunning views out to the vines at Sutton Forest There are plenty of things to see and do in the Southern Highlands. Take the foot off the pedal and let a driver from the Highlands Tour Co take over the logistics and tailor a tour that suits the local touring company has an experience to suit The Southern Highlands is the closest wine region to Sydney Enjoy your escape to the country by visiting a few of the cellar doors that showcase the region’s award-winning cold-climate wines Discover the best restaurants in Bowral Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade where she works as both a writer and a sub editor and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Whether you are road-tripping with the family here are the best Bowral restaurants to book before you escape for your weekend.. Australian Traveller Media acknowledges the traditional custodians of the Country on which we live and work The Brumbies ran in six tries via Luke Reimer, Liam Bowron, Ollie Sapsford, Declan Meredith, Austin Anderson and Ryan Lonergan, with two conversions from the boot of Meredith and one from Lonergan. Head coach Stephen Larkham highlighted the sense of the occasion in Bowral and was delighted with his side's performance in their first runout of the year. "It was an unbelievable atmosphere out there with about 4,000 people turning up. There was really good support for both teams and it was a fantastic spectacle, 36 points each. Conditions were perfect and it was a great game of rugby that everyone can be very proud of. "The program has been a really good one leading into this game. We learnt a lot from last year and put it into this pre-season block. Our set-piece was miles ahead of where it was last year. Defensively, we were also much better than last year at this time. And then our attack has definitely gone to a new level. There's a lot to be happy about. "We'll still look at our defence. You've still got to look at that and say, why did we leak 36 points? And there'll be some individual errors there that we can assist with and things that we can fix. "We had some young guys who'd come out of the academy get on the field there for at least 20 minutes and they really put their hand up. Jack Condon, Judah Saumaisue and Eli Langi, just to name those guys. I thought they were outstanding when they were on the field. "They were involved in all the set-pieces and I thought their detail and their execution was outstanding." The match began with both teams feeling each other out, understandably from a Brumbies perspective with it their first match since June last year and with an experimental lineup. It was the side from the ACT who took the lead in the eight minute. Meredith made the initial, clean break from standoff with a lovely step, before patient buildup saw Reimer dot down. Meredith added the extras. Darby Lancaster and Jack Grant responded for the Waratahs, the latter following good work from Langi Gleeson, before Bowron bustled his way over from short-range. With Meredith kicking the conversion, the scores were tied 14-14. Subsequently Andrew Kellaway and Sapsford’s long-range effort, with an unsuccessful conversion, made the scores 21-19 to the Waratahs at half-time. After Lancaster scored his second at the start of the second period, Meredith went over for the away side following a neat inside ball from Shane Wilcox. Just before the hour mark Tristin Reilly’s acrobatic finish in the corner put the home side seven points ahead. However the Brumbies weren’t to be denied and started to pull away from the Sydney-based franchise. A fantastic line from Anderson straight off the top of a lineout, fed by Condon, brought the away side to within two points. The Brumbies then took the lead with a magnificent team move, Debreczeni feeding Wilcox, who drew the fullback to play in Lonergan to run under the posts. Our scrumhalf nailed the conversion to make the score 36-31. Replacement lock Felix Kalapu dived over for the Waratahs to tie the scores up. A back and forth last few minutes saw both teams threaten their opposition's tryline, but the final whistle blew to signal a thrilling draw in Bowral. .css-h3az1r{font-family:FuturaMaxiWXX-Bold,"HelveticaNeue-Bold",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color:inherit;font-weight:400;}Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies 36 - 36 NSW Waratahs Tries: Reimer, Bowron, Sapsford, Meredith, Anderson, R Lonergan Peter Dutton cast his vote in Brisbane's northern suburbs Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOSPeter Dutton has evoked Scott Morrison's 2019 "miracle" victory as he looks to defy the polls and pull off a surprise election win All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe opposition leader said he had faith voters fed up with the Albanese government would turn out for the coalition despite opinion polls predicting a humbling defeat "I think a lot of quiet Australians would come out today to support the coalition and I'm looking forward to the outcome tonight," he told reporters after casting his ballot in his home electorate of Dickson on Saturday after securing his against-the-odds victory Mr Morrison remarked it was the "quiet Australians" who won the election for the coalition But Mr Dutton has an even higher mountain to climb the final Newspoll showed Labor on track to win 51.5 per cent of the two-party preferred vote showed Labor sitting on 52.5 per cent to the coalition's 47.5 per cent Mr Dutton was supported by wife Kirilly and children Tom Harry and Bec as he voted at Albany Creek State School in Brisbane's north Labor talks up its chances in Mr Dutton's electorate - the most marginal in Queensland - but the assault has rarely seemed so intense Prime Minister Anthony Albanese toured Dickson on his first stop of the campaign and returned on Friday to thank volunteers in candidate Ali France's campaign office Peter Dutton will need to defy the polls if he is to help the coalition to a win (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)Party leaders tend to receive a boost in their own seats but the presence of Climate 200-backed independent Ellie Smith could erode Mr Dutton's primary vote he would become the first opposition leader to do so in a federal election But he was still feeling confident about his chances of becoming prime minister as he began his election-day blitz over a coffee in Melbourne at the crack of dawn I do," he said when asked if he believed he could win He spent little more than 10 minutes with Liberal candidate for Macnamara Benson Saulo at a cafe in Elsternwick in the city's inner-south before meeting with Tim Wilson at another cafe a few suburbs over in Brighton Victoria will be crucial to his chances of victory with the coalition aiming to capitalise on the unpopular Labor state government and local concerns over crime and the cost of living Mr Dutton started election day with coffee next to Liberal candidate Benson Saulo in Elsternwick (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)History would also be made if Mr Dutton wins the election: he would become the first man to unseat a first-term government since Joseph Lyons defeated Labor's James Scullin almost a century ago Mr Dutton hinted he would look to stay on in politics if he lost the election I'm still very young and I've just got a burning passion for this country," he told Nine's Today Show An estimated 10 million people were casting ballots on Saturday with more than eight million having already voted during the two-week pre-poll period Today's top stories curated by our news team. Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOSNationals MP Barnaby Joyce has revealed he will undergo surgery after being diagnosed with prostate cancer All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe former deputy prime minister comfortably won his regional NSW seat of New England at the federal election received the diagnosis following a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test The test came back with an "elevated" result and the subsequent MRI and biopsy revealed the prostate cancer He told ABC News he would have an operation on Monday followed by a short stay in hospital Mr Joyce said he kept the diagnosis private to not distract from the election campaign "I knew it would turn into a bit of a circus," he said "I wanted the campaign to focus on the campaign and I didn't think this issue needed to be a part of that." Labor had a landslide victory at the election reducing the coalition to one of their worst performances at the polls and the loss of leader Peter Dutton in the process Photo: AP PHOTOPrince Harry's claim that he's the victim of a "stitch-up" after losing a legal challenge over his UK security is "really offensive" All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueKen Wharfe who was a royal protection officer to Harry believes the duke has "played the wrong card" regarding his security Harry can't expect the "all-singing-and-dancing protection" he had in the United Kingdom" when he was a working member of the royal family Ken Wharfe says Harry's allegation of a "stitch-up" is "really offensive" (AP PHOTO)Harry now needs to show some "humility" if he wants to begin talks with his UK family Harry has called for the Home Secretary to review the body that authorises protection for senior royals after he lost a Court of Appeal challenge last week over his security arrangements while in the UK He told the BBC he "can't see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK" But Wharfe says Harry "has really played the wrong card" "I don't see how he can expect to get full protection when he arrived back in the UK when he is no longer a member working the royal family when he knows that the actual security package comes at the expense of the British taxpayer," he told the PA news agency The police have seen it - so where's the problem?" Harry failed in his appeal against the dismissal of his High Court claim against the Home Office over the decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures that he should receive a different degree of protection when in the UK He told the BBC he can only come to the UK safely if he is invited and King Charles could help resolve the situation by "stepping aside and allowing the experts to do what is necessary" that this is a good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up Harry says the decision "is knowingly putting me and my family in harm's way" Wharfe said: "With regards to the stitch-up I think what he should be doing now is actually showing some humility "If a reconciliation is part of what he wants then this is hardly the way to go about reconciling the differences that exist within your family." Harry's level of security changed in 2020 when he and his wife Meghan stepped down as working royals and moved to Canada HomeTributes & FuneralsView PhotoDeaths & FuneralsGriggs, John Henry1943 - 2024 • Bowral, NSW Father-in-law to Meli, Marnie, Natalie and Esen Cherished grandfather of Holly, Casey, Oliver, Lara and Genevieve Family and friends of John are kindly invited to attend his Funeral Service to be held at We ask that in lieu of flowers, you please consider directing your donations to https://mndnsw.my.salesforce-sites.com/payments/U/a0000003FQcD Grandpa to Imogen, Mayra, Merle, Liam, Elliot and Ciaran.  Family and friends of John are kindly invited to attend his Funeral Service to be held at St Jude's Anglican Church, 34 Bendooley Street, Bowral on Thursday 20th March 2025 at 1.00pm. In lieu of flowers the family have asked for donations to be HomeTributes & FuneralsView PhotoDeaths & FuneralsWalker, Valerie Gwenda2023 • Bowral, NSW Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service to honour Valerie's life, to be held at St Jude's Anglican Church, Bendooley Street, Bowral on Thursday 20th April, 2023 commencing at 11.00am. Photo: Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOSThe Liberal Party's shift to a conservative agenda turned off liberal-minded voters with many angered that the party preferenced One Nation and Trumpet of Patriots All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueSaturday's election showed the so-called "teal" community independents are here to stay with teal MPs retaining their seats largely with more support after making history at the last election said the Liberals needed to listen and adapt following their crushing election defeat "What's missing is they have abandoned concepts of liberalism Where they are now is a conservative party," she said on the ABC's insiders program on Sunday Zali Steggall believes voters rejected the Liberals after they preferenced right wing parties (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)Number two on most of the Liberals' ballot papers was One Nation followed by Trumpet of Patriots "I actually had many voters come to me offended saying they were previously moderate Liberal voters offended at the idea that the second preference went to One Nation."  Ms Steggall said voters in general rejected the adversarial populism pursued by the coalition and the Greens She said community independents had faced a campaign of vilification against them "We've got to remember the News Ltd media and third-party groups … that were active actors in this election threw everything at those campaigns to vilify and it was vicious," she said positive community independents have held their ground or increased And I think that's what Australians are looking for." When asked if the teals might form a bloc or even a party to ensure more negotiating clout Ms Steggall said their current model worked very well collaborating on issues and co-ordinating in some campaigning Ms Steggall and fellow teals Allegra Spender in Wentworth Monique Ryan in Kooyong and Kate Chaney in Curtin will return to parliament Zoe Daniel looked likely to retain her Melbourne seat of Goldstein despite a swing against her to the Liberals' Tim Wilson Independent Nicolette Boele holds the lead in Bradfiled (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)The teals could also be joined by Nicolette Boele who is ahead with the majority of votes counted in the former Liberal heartland of Bradfield in Sydney's north this community has made it clear that we expect our representative to listen to and respond to the concerns of this community," Ms Boele said in a statement Independent candidate Jessie Price is also in with a chance in the formerly safe Labor seat of Bean in Canberra where she claimed a strong swing with more than 80 per cent of the vote counted Bob Katter and Rebekha Sharkie retained their seats Independent senator David Pocock enjoyed a more than 20 per cent swing to him to take first spot on the ACT Senate ticket and win a quota in his own right The senator gave credit to Labor for a campaign that delivered the party a huge majority in the lower house "I think there is an opportunity for them to really make some bold changes and change the future of our country," he said All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueSenior prosecution lawyer Nanette Rogers SC told Latrobe Valley Court on April 30 that Ms Patterson invited her estranged husband's family over for lunch after saying that a lump was found on her elbow The accused allegedly told the family that further tests had revealed ovarian cancer and that she was seeking their guidance in telling her children But there are no records of the accused having received a cancer diagnosis This comes in the first week of Erin Patterson's triple-murder trial in Morwell, Gippsland. She is facing three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder after allegedly poisoning a home-cooked beef Wellington with death cap mushroom on July 29, 2023. She has pleaded not guilty to these charges and has always maintained her innocence. Ms Patterson's in-laws, Gail and Don Patterson, allegedly died after the meal. Gail's sister Heather, who was at the lunch with her husband Ian Wilkinson, also died. Mr Wilkinson survived. The jury heard that Ms Patterson prepared individual beef Wellingtons for all lunch guests, made from eye fillets covered in finely-diced mushrooms and encased in pastry. Erin Patterson (right) is in court over the deaths of Don and Gail Patterson (top left) and Heather Wilkinson (bottom left). Picture social media/NewscorpThe prosecution said that Ms Patterson, 50, served the meal to her guests on four large plates but had eaten hers from a smaller plate. "Is Erin short of crockery?" Heather Wilkinson asked her nephew as he drove her to the hospital a day after the lunch, the court heard. "She served her [beef Wellington] on a different plate, I've puzzled about it since lunch," she reportedly said. Simon Patterson and the accused met in the early 2000s while working for Monash City Council in Melbourne. The court was told that the pair married, had two children and settled in Gippsland. The couple separated several times for short periods, Dr Rogers said, but they split permanently in late 2015. They "remained amicable and shared custody" of their children and continued to go on holidays together, Dr Rogers said. But their relationship dynamic shifted after Mr Patterson reported on a tax return that he was single, the court heard. "In 2022, Simon first noticed a sustained change in his relationship," the prosecution said. Their amicable communication declined and additional child support payments were raised, Dr Rogers said. In its opening statement, the prosecution outlined its case against Ms Patterson, saying that lawyers intended to argue that four alleged victims were poisoned during the lunch and that three died as a result. Dr Rogers went on to allege that Ms Patterson did not suffer from death cap mushroom poisoning, as she claimed at the hospital and to her relatives at the time. The prosecution also alleges that Ms Patterson did not feed any leftovers to her children on July 30, as she claimed to hospital staff. "She knew that, like her, they hadn't eaten poisoned food," Dr Rogers said. The prosecution went on to argue that Ms Patterson did not buy the fatal mushrooms from an asian grocer in Melbourne's southeast suburbs and that she did dispose of a dehydrator at Koonwarra Transfer Station. Ms Patterson's barrister Colin Mandy SC told jurors that the charges against her are simply allegations. Mr Mandy said that Ms Patterson was unwell after the lunch and that she had not lied to hospital staff. "She didn't intend to cause anyone any harm on this day. It was a terrible accident," he said. Three additional attempted murder charges against Ms Patterson, relating to her estranged husband Simon, were dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions, the jury was told on April 29. Her trial is expected to run for more than five weeks in the sleepy Gippsland town. Support is available for those who may be distressed: Anthony Albanese was averaging one baby interaction a day Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOSBold political moves define campaigns but its the absurdities and pageantry that make them stick in Australians' minds All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueEvery three years the election contest forces Australia's top politicians to dip their toes into everyday life - whether going to church eating yum cha or visiting family homes - accompanied by a 30-strong media swarm This often creates the perfect set-up for sitcom-like shenanigans it was Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who set the pace he opted to throw down the gauntlet: cuddling a infant on Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's home turf in Brisbane averaging one baby interaction a day but an oddly arranged stage stalled his momentum When he tried to pose for a photo during a mining union event Mr Albanese put his foot in the wrong place and tumbled offstage drawing a gasp from the crowd as he reached for a nearby arm on the way down Though he quickly found his feet and returned to the upright position 'the fall' would cast a shadow over the rest of the campaign Mr Albanese insisted his tumble involved going down on one leg only (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)Mr Dutton also kicked off a panic early on while trying to fool around with a footy he launched the Sherrin towards the media crew accidentally clocking Network Ten cameraman Ghaith Nadir in the head before realising his victim needed medical attention Phones across Australia soon lit up with news alerts about how the opposition leader had drawn blood Mr Dutton's questionable kicking skills left cameraman Ghaith Nadir a little worse for wear (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)Several major world events threatened to wrench the spotlight from domestic politics with US President Donald Trump announcing his 'Liberation Day' tariffs on islands inhabited by penguins and seals during week one they just opened the door to more political tomfoolery After discussion reignited over whether the prime minister could get Mr Trump on the phone he went down a rabbit hole that ended with the bizarre conclusion the leader of the free world may not own a mobile Shown a picture of billionaire Elon Musk - a confidante of the US president - Mr Dutton called him an "evil genius" before severely underestimating the price of eggs in rapid-fire questions In a contest where the main game is to show how relatable politicians are guessing a dozen eggs costs $4.20 when they retail for $8.50 may not win voters over Anyone know where the eggs are around here (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)Though there are other ways to perform as the 'everyman' After much was made of his dramatic weight-loss prior to the 2022 election Mr Albanese has chosen to stay "off the grog" this campaign and instead indulged two low-sugar Bundaberg beverages a ginger beer and a Farmers Union Iced Coffee in the proud state of South Australia having shown off his biggest smile of the campaign while delicately plucking chocolate ducks for an assorted box before the Easter break and pouring beers for two-up players on Anzac Day The campaign show is a careful balancing act that requires characters to display strength while being willing to lower their defences and speak from the heart Mr Dutton was keen to be involved in the done thing on Anzac Day (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)Mr Dutton has maintained a monopoly on traditionally masculine displays of strength and pumped petrol for 16 different vehicles across every state The opposition leader has tried to cast off his "hard man" image rolling out his son Harry to tell the press about difficulties young people face in the housing market Questions soon arose over whether he would let his son tap into the bank of mum and dad given he had amassed a sizeable property portfolio over the decades and he eventually admitted he would help his kids Mr Albanese preferred not to bring his family into discussions and showed his softer side by cooing at toddlers high-fiving excited children or picking up dogs Hi-fiving the PM in the playground was seemingly all the rage (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)But no matter how many photo opportunities they did neither leader could stop journalists needling them At one point Mr Dutton was forced to address campaign missteps almost once a week He back-pedalled on threats to end public servants' work-from-home arrangements admitted his mistake after a misunderstanding about Russian warplanes in Indonesia clarified a decision to end electric vehicle tax breaks after mis-hearing a question and walked back threats to change the curriculum in response to the "indoctrination" of children denied he had fallen down and weeks later continued to insist "just one leg went down" Hecklers across the political spectrum have also hounded the leaders Anthony Albanese always had a cuddle for the nearest pooch (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)The prime minister was interrupted at least eight times during the campaign while environment group Rising Tide heckled Mr Dutton twice in one day and NSW south coast unionists dressed up in hazmat suits to protest his nuclear energy policy Even the smallest slight blew up on the national stage The air-kiss of death took the spotlight when the prime minister and Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek came together for an embrace at Labor's campaign launch before clasping each other's hands and performing a long-distance peck Mr Dutton's media bus became the subject of ridicule after it beached on a bike lane divider requiring a team of photographers and cameramen to free the vehicle an awkward shot of Liberal Kooyong candidate Amelia Hamer wide-eyed and staring into the void alongside a grimacing Mr Dutton drew comparisons to Old Testament depictions painted by Baroque artists (James Brickwood/AAP PHOTOS)And as the time ticked down to Saturday's election the prime minister again looked to the dogs for advice who belonged to the crew of the Robin and Kip with Corey Oates radio show were asked to choose between two plates of treats: red for Labor echoing the predictions of human pollsters Photo: AP PHOTOOne of Australia's biggest touring day festivals is back with two superstar rappers to headline giving hope to the beleaguered live music industry All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueKendrick Lamar and Doechii will arrive Down Under in December as the headliners at the 2025 music festival Spilt Milk owned by US entertainment multinational Live Nation The Grammy Award-winning US artists will play at Ballarat A number of international and local favourites were confirmed on Friday Lamar's announcement as festival headliner also fuelled speculation he will announce a solo tour to other capital cities including Sydney and Melbourne The welcome news marks a strong comeback for the festival which cancelled its 2024 event mid-last year organisers issued a statement on Instagram we couldn't get you the Spilt Milk you deserved this year." The festival joined a growing list of live music events forced into hiatus due to skyrocketing production costs More than 40 music festivals across Australia have been cancelled since 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic decimated the live-music sector Rising operational and insurance costs continue to bite forcing the average cost of running a music festival to climb to $3.9 million according to findings from Creative Australia's 2024 Soundcheck report Many Australian music festivals have been struggling to make a profit due to rising costs (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)Among 51 Australian music festivals surveyed half turned a profit and more than one third lost money with a median deficit of $470,000 The list of festivals that have disappeared is long and growing Splendour in the Grass and Souled Out among those cancelled the NSW government announced it would step in to disburse $2.25 million in emergency funding as part of its Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund with five festivals including Bluesfest to receive up to $500,000 each Mother-in-law of David and Virginia and loving St Jude's Church, Bendooley Street, Bowral on Tuesday 18th February 2025 commencing at 11.00am. In lieu of flowers donations to Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia HomeTributes & FuneralsDeaths & FuneralsPutland, James Richard2023 • Bowral, NSW Family and friends are invited to a Funeral Service for James to be held in the Carrington Room at Peppers Craigieburn, Centennial Road Bowral on Thursday, 28th September 2023, commencing at 11.00am HomeTributes & FuneralsDeaths & FuneralsBrooker, Lorraine Faye1946 - 2024 • Bowral, NSW BROOKER, Lorraine Faye 11.04.1946 - 31.12.2024. Loved Daughter of Eric & Rita Brooker of Kangaloon (both dec). Loved Sister of Rowene, and a friend to many. Family and friends of Lorraine are kindly invited to attend her Funeral Service to be held at Bowral Uniting Church, Corner Bendooley & Boolwey Street, Bowral on Monday 13th January 2025 at 11.00am. LADY ROSE FUNERALS 36 Bowral Street, Bowral 4862 1833 Consultant: Bec Webb despite mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid options being available in overseas markets All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueSpeaking with CarExpert at the launch of the new Mk8.5 Golf range head of product for Volkswagen Australia – Arjun Nidigallu – said arguing the business case with the company's global parent remains the biggest hurdle "We continually investigate alternative powertrains as a general thing not just for [the] Golf but for every model wherever there's an opportunity," Mr Nidigallu said "The challenges tend to be around creating a business case for it particularly in segments that are smaller in volume." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now Volkswagen Golf: PHEV power no closer to AustraliaVolkswagen Golf: PHEV power no closer to Australia"We continue to investigate these things but for the current Golf if we look at what the customers are after very clear that they want the quality and practicality aspects of it in the lower end and of course they want the performance and acceleration in the GTI and R," Mr Nidigallu continued "We haven't seen a clear marker in our data sets for hybridisation as a priority for [Golf] customers but it's not top of the list at the moment for this segment "There are other segments – [like] medium SUV – where electrification is very much desired, and that's why the ID.4 and ID.5 were such a big priority for us and it's the first step we're taking in that direction while it is a general interest for customers it's not on top of the list for Golf buyers at the moment." In the Golf alone there are two different variations offered abroad: a 150kW in the standard Golf and a 200kW tune in the GTE with both quoting over 130km of WLTP-certified electric driving range in their latest forms PHEVs have been a struggle for all of the VW Group in Australia, particularly in the smaller segments, though Cupra offers the Leon and Formentor with plug-in tech These use the older 1.4-litre PHEV powertrain with less range – in the 50-60km realm – though both models and the incoming Terramar will move to the Golf GTE's 200kW eHybrid system with double the EV range this year Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles in Australia has made a number of attempts to bring the Golf PHEV Down Under, starting with the Mk7 GTE last decade before backflipping due to high global demand, and more recently the Mk8.5 GTE which was likewise abandoned Skoda Australia recently confirmed it's planning to bring the mild-hybrid 1.5 eTSI powertrain to the Octavia before the end of this year as a running change to the lineup the Skoda runs the same 1.4 TSI and eight-speed auto transmission as the Golf Likewise the aforementioned Cupra Leon and Formentor will offer the 1.5 eTSI and 1.5 TSI eHybrid drivetrains with their incoming facelifts, joined by the larger Terramar SUV which will also get MHEV and PHEV options unlike the related VW Tiguan Volkswagen Golf: PHEV power no closer to AustraliaDespite VW's stance on demand for electrified small vehicles the Golf is being outpaced by rivals with varying degrees of electrification on the Australian sales charts The Hyundai i30 and Toyota Corolla currently outsell the Golf by quite some margin with the Hyundai offering 48V mild-hybrid and full-hybrid options across its i30 Hatch and Sedan respectively while the entire Corolla range is hybrid-only as of mid-2024 Further, the all-electric MG 4 hatchback is likewise beating out the Golf in year-to-date volume (1335 v 853) as of March 31 Elsewhere in the small passenger segment, the Mazda 3 has previously offered 24V mild-hybrid tech, though has reverted to ICE-only; and the Honda Civic has gone hybrid-only Down Under Stay tuned to CarExpert for our Australian launch drive review of the new Mk8.5 Volkswagen Golf and Golf GTI on May 8 Volkswagen Golf: PHEV power no closer to AustraliaAre you holding out for an electrified VW Golf MORE: Everything Volkswagen Golf Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au Picture suppliedLegendary DJ Fatboy Slim is coming to Bowral as part of a summer of outdoor raves in Australia Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe DJ is known for his 1999 classics Right Here Right Now and Praise You He'll play Bowral's Centennial Vineyards on Saturday The gig is part of the Fatboy Slim Loves Australia tour Frontier Touring and Roundhouse Entertainment "Like the crazy drunk uncle who turns up every Xmas I'm coming back to my Aussie fam once again Expect the usual inappropriate behaviour and interpretational dancing," said Fatboy Slim Previous gigs at Bowral's Centennial Vineyards have included Sting A strictly limited release of early bird tickets will go on sale today Frontier Member pre-sale tickets start on Tuesday Tickets and tour information via frontiertouring.com/fatboyslim Jake Gordon is still trying to figure out whether trial wins matter heading into a season He got a grim taste in his first game as Waratahs captain in 2021 when they defeated the Queensland Reds 45-33 in their annual trial It was the only win of their year as they didn’t record a single victory in Super Rugby AU and trans-Tasman, the only time it’s happened in their history. “I've played years where we've gone well in trials and it's gone not so well and we've had years where we haven't. I think the result is somewhat important, but it's not everything,” he told reporters. “We know there's going to be clunky moments in there. We don't want to put any extra pressure on ourselves. “We want to play some of our rugby. I'm pretty confident you'll see that in large parts of the game. It's more our work rate and our fight and our energy more than some of the tries that we will be scoring throughout the year.” Gordon is one of ten Wallabies in the starting side for the trial against the Brumbies, with the side excited about the return of Dave Porecki, who missed the entire 2024 season after an injury in the corresponding trial against the Rebels. “Last year for Dave was a really frustrating year…Dave's a funny guy and a great leader in our group. He was in last year, training throughout the whole year and it would have been a really tough year for him, but we're happy (he’s back). View this post on Instagram A post shared by NSW Waratahs (@nswwaratahs) For the Brumbies, they find themselves in a different stage of their pre-season, with coach Stephen Larkham opting for a rotated squad with next week’s trial against the Western Force their focus. It’s a similar approach to what the Waratahs took last week against NSW Pacifica, with ACT’s heavy Wallaby contingency to be eased back into action after a gruelling season. Larkham will unveil a trio of new signings in Feao Fotuaika, Tuaina Taii-Tualima and David Feliuai, whilst backing his Academy players to step up across the park  “Those young players that have come up from the Academy, they’ve fit in really well and for all of them, it’s not their first pre-season program since they were a part of the program last year,” Larkham said. “Some of them missed out on trial action last year so they’re be a few nerves for those guys coming into the week but they’ve trained exceptionally well through the pre-season. “We’ve got a couple of players from the Rebels as well that’ve joined us so those guys will get that opportunity to pull the Burmbies jersey for the first time who have trained exceptionally well in the pre-season.” HomeTributes & FuneralsView PhotoDeaths & FuneralsHoffmann, Leonie Ruth2024 • Bowral, NSW Family and friends of Leonie are kindly invited to attend her Funeral Service to be held at Lady Rose Funerals Chapel, 36 Bowral Street, Bowral on Thursday 11th January 2024 HomeTributes & FuneralsView PhotoDeaths & FuneralsGemmell A Funeral service for William will be held in the South Chapel at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Leppington on Friday 9th August 2024 commencing at 11.30am please consider donations to the Southern Highlands Quilters Guild Inc The best shops in Bowral range from giant bazaars for antiques and collectables to shoe shops and sheepskin It’s a veritable bower bird’s nest of everything from coins to jewellery glassware and textiles sourced from around the world you’ll know that you can hit the high street here for hours Put together an itinerary based on our guide to the best shops in Bowral Those with an abiding fascination for everything from vintage furniture to unconventional art will find fellow tribe members hunting for treasures on an antique shopping trip to the Southern Highlands Following is a guide to some of the best antique shops in Bowral and beyond Dirty Janes offers the best in vintage wares Expect objets d’art, antiques and collectables that span the past century at Dirty Janes a destination for collectors with limited time It’s such a good hunting ground for treasures that you could just visit this one-stop vintage shop in the Highlands and be happy with your finds there are more than 80 independent dealers Find one of the best cafes in Bowral for coffee and start plotting your plan of attack. Now let’s talk treasures and antique homewares. You will find everything from brass candlesticks, chandeliers, wedding chests, leather suitcases, vintage furniture and stunning silverware at The Bronte Tram which sources its collectables from around the globe Remember what it was like to get lost in Grandpa’s Shed? Well, Grandpa called and he wants his stuff back. Grandpa’s Shed in Fitzroy Falls is an essential stop for road-trippers who like to fossick The eclectic and luxuriant mix of junk and ephemera and carefully curated clutter is not for your Marie Kondo kinds It’s perfectly imperfect and worth the 20-minute drive from Bowral The number of bookshops in and around Bowral says something about the denizens of the village, which once served as a rural retreat for Sydney’s landed gentry. Those with a love of literature are well served in and around Bowral, which is just a 90-minute drive from Sydney. Plan your visit to coincide with the annual Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival Although it’s technically in Berrima, 11 minutes from Bowral, Berkelouw Book Barn has to be top of the list of best bookshops in Bowral As well as a stunning collection of second-hand the storied Berkelouw Book Barn is a destination in its own right for its adjacent restaurant and accommodation The Bookshop Bowral is regarded as an institution for its carefully curated selection of books written by culturally diverse authors from around the world Check the calendar of events hosted by the book shop which hosts in-store signings and talks by authors as well as literary morning teas during the annual Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival So named after a fire destroyed its original premises, The Phoenix Bookstore has started a new chapter selling new and old books from its new location tucked in behind Bowral Post Office Join the steady stream of shoppers browsing and chatting with the staff at this cosy bookstore who will help you find something that takes your fancy Green Lane is home to a collection of Bowral’s best shops and cafes Shopping is one of the best things to do in Bowral thanks in part to the creative community who call the Southern Highlands home There are fabulous one-of-a-kind boutiques hipped-up homeware stores and quirky op shops dotted around the jumble of streets which also has a selection of well-known retailers Find everything from plush sheepskin rugs to laptop covers Sure you can fly to New Zealand. Or shop online. But it’s a much better experience to run your hands over the woolly sheepskin products at Wilson & Dorset in Bowral The store with the cult following in New Zealand chose Bowral as its first Australian base because of its proximity to the countryside Head here for everything from plush sheepskin rugs to designer floor rugs Hit up Bespoke Letterpress for all things stationary This couture letterpress stationary store was once part of The Press Shop, one of the best places to brunch or lunch in Bowral. But Bespoke Letterpress became so popular that it had to move to larger premises on Bowral’s Main Street Bespoke Letterpress is paradise for lovers of pretty and practical couture stationary in the form of writing paper and envelopes Looking for something funky or flouncy? You’ll find it here at HEM which has a whimsical mix of local and global brands that make a fashion-forward statement HEM has managed to lean toward up-and-coming designers and contemporary homewares that are stand-alone standouts Pick up chic Chrissy decor at Susie Anderson Home Sip coffee with your friends so you’re well-fuelled before your foray into the Suzie Anderson Home store. Take the Style Quiz ahead of your visit to help provide tailor-made tips for choosing everything from gift sets to tablecloths Looking to get your glow-on while holidaying in Bowral? The countertops at Bare Body Beauty Co are heaving with plant-based products that are kind to your skin and the planet Rub shoulders with #TikTokbeauty fanatics looking for Australian-made skincare that soothes and reinvigorates your skin You can also indulge in a cold-pressed immunity-boosting juice or wellness latte Rieker brown boots are on offer at The Shoe Merchant Birkenstocks, Ecco, Emu Slippers, Floresheim, Frankie4, Louenhide and Rollie Nation are just a few of the beautifully designed brands stocked at The Shoe Merchant in Bowral Fans of designer footwear travel from all over Sydney to Bowral to find shoes designed for everything from dancing to walking There are plenty of upmarket stores to browse in Bowral. But it’s the affordable op shops and stores with vintage vibes that offer the biggest buzz for treasure hunters in Bowral. The Bowral Market is also a better-than-garden-variety market too In addition to the quality bric-a-brac and artisan wares it showcases the State’s bounty of fresh produce It’s an oldie but a goodie. The Bowral Market sources a lot of fresh produce from the Southern Highlands Hot tip: Stock your eco bag with a kilo of Robertson potatoes a jar of Chapo’s Raw Honey and relishes from Lame Duck Foods It’s all about the thrill of the hunt at The Southern Highlands Community Hospice Shop where you are likely to find everything from a powder-blue safari suit from the ‘70s to a military-style jacket a Portico clock or framed print signed by a local artist Hard-core antique collectors and upcyclers will enjoy rummaging for a bargain at this op shop in Bowral. Father Chris Riley supports young people who are trying to turn their lives around so they can feel even more righteous about forgoing fast fashion while in pursuit of that cricket cardigan or glittering jumpsuit. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); From bakeries to bistros to hip cafes in heritage buildings and spaces with their own market garden, the best cafes in Bowral and beyond are a celebra... Whether you are road-tripping with the family, or looking for romance, here are the best Bowral restaurants to book before you escape for your weekend... A preference when it comes to choosing the finest places for a tipple is deeply personal, so we decided we’re not just going to pick one Bowral pub ... Award-winning pies and vintage pieces have helped cement this Southern Highlands town’s reputation as a hotspot for weekends away, writes Leigh-Ann ... Australian Traveller Media acknowledges the traditional custodians of the Country on which we live and work, and pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging. Get the latest travel news, reviews, offers and more, direct to your inbox. © Australian Traveller Media 2025. All rights reserved. The Weekly SOURCE is published by DCM Media HomeTributes & FuneralsDeaths & FuneralsMulready, Richard Hubert1924 - 2025 • Bowral, NSW MULREADY, Richard Hubert 14.08.1942 - 08.01.2025 Adored Husband of Thanyapat. Beloved Brother, Father, Father-in-law, Poppy and Great Grandfather. Family and friends of Rick are kindly invited to attend his Celebration of Life to be held in the Camellia room at Moss Vale Services Club, Corner Argyle & Yarrawa Street, Moss Vale on Friday 17th January 2025 at 12.00pm. LADY ROSE FUNERALS 36 Bowral Street, Bowral 4862 1833 Consultant: Bec Webb HomeTributes & FuneralsDeaths & FuneralsTaite, Meridy Rita2025 • Bowral, NSW TAITE, Meridy Rita Died 8th January 2025, aged 72 years. Precious daughter of Cavell and Carson (both deceased). Loved sister of Julie and Stephen, Sister-in-law of Alison. Aunty to Christopher, David, Emma and Andrew. Gone to the big spelling paddock in the sky. Family and friends are invited to attend Meridy's Burial Service, 2pm Friday 17th January 2025 at Bowral General Cemetery, 109 Kangaloon Road, Bowral. LADY ROSE FUNERALS 36 Bowral Street, Bowral 4862 1833 Consultant: Bec Webb HomeTributes & FuneralsView PhotoDeaths & FuneralsHalbert Lived in Marulan and Bowral and grew up in Sydney and Windellama Dearly loved father of Arthur who was the centre of his life Cherished son of Thomas and Robin (dec) and stepson of Jo tough and kind man who will be terribly missed Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service for Cameron to be held at the G Beavan Funerals Chapel 34 Station Street Bowral on Tuesday 28th January 2025 commencing at 2.00pm No flowers by request although you may consider making a donation to https://www.bushheritage.org.au// the best way to experience the brilliance of a weekend dining out in Bowral is to bounce back and forth on multiple weekends away Here is our guide to the best places to eat and drink in Bowral and its immediate surrounds Don’t be fooled by the name. Flour Bar is so much more than a bakery In addition to the everyday indulgences on offer here herb and garlic focaccia loaves and sourdough baguettes head chef Guy Hammerton and head baker Tim West know best when it comes to breakfast it then pivots to lunch and dims the light for dinner it’s the best place in the Southern Highlands for a cocktail The menu at Flour Bar is designed to share Duck rillettes with pickled fruit paste and sourdough toast Or mushroom ragu with gnocchi for something more substantial This is made-from-scratch soul food at its finest There’s also a takeaway bottle shop with more than 200 wines as well as a deli inside an old bank vault with cheeses and charcuterie Best for: Taking your Hinge romance to the next level Dinah’s offers a contemporary take on the whole Escape to the Country experience. Like Osborn House itself it’s both playful and unexpected and has burst into national prominence as one of the best places to eat in the Southern Highlands open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday is tucked away in a pristine wooded pocket of Bundanoon one of the Southern Highland’s most unsung villages Recharge after walking to one of the local waterfalls with a stay at this heritage house where Seasonal five-course set menus are the thing at Dinah’s one of the best places for fine dining in the Southern Highlands Enjoy a seriously dreamy outlook while enjoying share plates of kingfish crudo and seasonal citrus  Gundagai lamb backstrap and summer greens pesto with almonds and lemon all delivered with poise by the stylish staff It’s worth returning in the cooler months for the Osborn House Fire Feast Dinah’s is one of the best places for fine dining in the Southern Highlands Best for: A casual meal in the heart of the Southern Highlands George’s is the more casual dining option at the sumptuous Osborn House This restaurant with rooms in the picture-postcard village of Bundanoon is known for its easy-going charm But you don’t have to be a guest to dine at George’s which is open for lunch and dinner and has a bar that operates between 3 and 6pm for casual bites Opt for a more casual dining option at the sumptuous Osborn House The interiors at George’s draw from a palette of earthy olives the restaurant is both playful and unexpected Take a seat at a table in the dining room or on the terrace where you will enjoy views over Morton National Park The restaurant offers everything from charcuterie to sandwiches and cheeseburgers Keen hikers will also appreciate heftier mains such as truffled mac and cheese or wagyu Milanese What to order: Rigatoni vodka with spicy sauce Head to Berida Hotel to sample elevated pub at its European-style bistro. Bistro Sociale is popular with those who have booked accommodation in Bowral and want to outsource lunch or dinner Book a table in Berida Hotel’s light-filled and elegant dining room Head chef Nathan Jackson changes the menu according to the seasons and it’s worth gunning it up the highway from Sydney for his house-baked bread with cultured French butter and cassoulet with confit duck Earn brownie points with your Bowral buddies by booking lunch on the sun-drenched terrace where you can start with cocktails or a glass of local wine What to order: Prawn linguine with spinach Best for: A stylish stay with the extended family Take a 1920s homestead in the Southern Highlands and apply a few splashes of colour to give it a thoroughly modern update at Links House has rounded out the experience of a stay at the Links House with a paddock-to-plate menu curated by acclaimed chef Jason Hughes While Links House is popular as a conference facility it also attracts families and groups of friends who want to enjoy a bit of respite in the country First-time visitors to the Southern Highlands will be reminded why this  restaurant is included on every Bowral itinerary opt for lemon curd with mascarpone and savoiardi biscuits with capers and cornichons followed by lamb shoulder with fennel Onesta Cucina is another reason to linger in this Highlands hamlet. The family-owned restaurant is known for its focus on hyperlocal food and a menu that changes with the seasons Check the restaurant’s Instagram ahead of your booking to see what takes your fancy Will it be fried zucchini flowers with five Italian cheeses Or perhaps the Mooloolaba king prawn insalata The lasagna al forno is one to enjoy all to yourself What to order: Start with the imported buffalo mozzarella with pickled beetroot insalata Or the egg tagliatelle with white reef fish squid and scallops flecked with herbs.   ‘ Best for: Bowral locals who want to impress their big-city friends The Lotus Group have landed in Bowral. The restaurant is located within the stylish Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral one of the best places to stay in the Southern Highlands Treat yourself to a mid-week getaway with a stay at this ‘restaurant with rooms’ known for its savoury dumplings Indulge in contemporary Australian cuisine and street-cart Chinese food The menu at this atmospheric restaurant is a happy collision between contemporary Australian cuisine and the street-cart Chinese food that inspired it Build your own Chinese banquet by ordering a mix of the duck pancakes The flavour-filled parcels of dough are made fresh at the chic and edgy eatery each day Harry’s is named in honour of the renowned British horticulturalist and founder of the famed Chelsea Flower Show Sir Harry Veitch was also known for dispatching nurserymen to foreign lands to find exotic treasures for his well-to-do London clientele the restaurant has grown quite organically and Be surrounded by plants at this quaint Bowral restaurant Regarded as one of the best places to dine in Bowral Harry’s is a hub for green thumbs as well as a space for lovers of provincial cuisine First-time visitors to the restaurant will be struck by the book-lined walls and dramatic high ceilings There are also vintage photographs of the botanists charged with collecting seeds from some of the world’s prettiest plants Harry’s on Green Lane is surrounded by as many beautiful plants and flowers as you’d expect in a nursery  The simple menu of dishes includes winners such as duck terrine Or signature roast chicken drizzled in lemon myrtle oil Don’t forget to peruse the nursery next door and Plantation Cafe It’s open for two sittings from noon to 2.15pm seven days a week and for dinner Fridays and Saturday nights with two sittings at 6pm and 8pm Harry’s is a hub for green thumbs and a space for lovers of provincial cuisine You will get a big bonjour et bienvenue at French restaurant Julian’s Bowral Brasserie Located at the aptly named ‘Paris end’ of Bowral Julien’s Bowral Brasserie has both indoor and outdoor dining Check the specials blackboard for oh-so-French dishes such as pork Or the seared scallops and Dijon mustard tomato tart Head chef Julien Viel was born in France and holds his heritage close when curating a menu of classic French cuisine What to order: Start with assiette de charcuterie The herb-crusted lamb backstrap and duck confit a l’orange are also dishes that keep this Bowral bistro buzzing Best for: Lovers of Southeast Asian cuisine It’s eight minutes as the crow flies from Bowral to Mittagong. That’s where you’ll find Michelin-starred chefs Bongkoch ‘Bee’ Satongun and husband Jason Bailey, of Paste Australia the husband-and-wife team have devised an array of inviting dishes that deliver a series of roundhouse muay Thai kicks of flavour to the chops where their first restaurant in Bangkok earned a coveted Michelin star Try the dishes from Michelin-starred chefs Bongkoch ‘Bee’ Satongun and Jason Bailey at Paste The so-called Queen Bee of Thai cuisine was awarded Asia’s best female chef by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants You might understand why when you enter the dining room where the fragrant aroma of spices fills the air The unassuming decor in the dining room is pared-back allowing the focus to be placed firmly on the food Eating at this hatted regional restaurant is a thrilling experience thanks to Bee’s contemporary take on traditional Thai The menu is a contemporary take on traditional Thai What to order: Save your money on a trip to Thailand; the rock lobster with preserved plums smoked pork stock and liquorice root is a must Best for: Romantics looking to impress a first date Cheese etc is the brainchild of cheesemonger Hugh Nicholas who started with a pop-up shop in North Sydney before relocating to the Southern Highlands and The cheese and wine are sourced from all over the world This is one of the most sophisticated places to eat and drink in Bowral The cheese and wine are sourced from all around the world – some direct from farmers And you will be spoilt for choice when you prop yourself up at the bar here where it’s easy to get ‘whey’-laid enjoying artisan cheeses ranging from brie to blue vein Settle in at the fully licensed space to enjoy local cheeses sourced from Pecora Dairy in Robertson or The Pines in Kiama you can book in for a sommelier-led wine and cheese tasting What to order: The popular signature three-cheese toastie with a Highlander Pale Ale brewed in nearby Robertson The Dining Room at Dormie is designed to enhance your luxurious getaway over a lazy lunch an indulgent high tea in the Highlands or a decadent dinner Savour garden-fresh veggies and slow-cooked beef cheeks with Paris mash Wrap up the experience with date and macadamia tart with vanilla ice cream There’s also the more casual option of bar bites such as cheeseburgers toasted ham and cheese sandwiches and pork Best for: Those partial to a good ghost story Taylor’s Crown Inn is open to the public and Highlands community seven days a week for breakfast This is despite the fact it’s housed in a private members club The Inn was built by convicts in 1844 using hand-hewn local sandstone in the vernacular architecture of a traditional English village And it’s come full circle after morphing from a public house to a private house the bar named in honour of Molly the ghost to enquire about membership Sample sophisticated culinary offerings at Berrima Vault House What to order: Chateaubriand with Robertson fondant potatoes Best for: A uniquely Southern Highlands dining experience It’s worth dropping a pin on Berrima, just 10 minutes from Bowral, during your road trip around the Southern Highlands. It’s there you will find restaurant Eschalot which has long been emblematic of the dining scene here Housed in a heritage-listed sandstone cottage Eschalot is housed in a heritage-listed sandstone cottage that the tables are full of locals looking so smug Chef Matty Roberts shows off his technique with dishes that are like a succession of flavours textures and temperatures while his wife Cass Wallace works the floor Make sure to either walk or get dropped off so you can enjoy the 10-course fine-dining banquet with paired wines and not have to drive back to your boutique accommodation What to order: If you’re not up for the ‘feed me’ menu plump for the Southern fried chicken with honey and sriracha glaze The king prawns with harissa butter and samphire is also a good bet Leila’s at the Grand is one of the best restaurants in Bowral The Lebanese restaurant has found a niche in the Southern Highlands where the smell of slow-cooked meats and garlicky kofta stops visitors in their tracks The restaurant is run by Michael and Raye Abouchabake, who moved to the Southern Highlands nearly three decades ago to open Café Rocco, one of the best cafes in Bowral Leila’s at the Grand pays homage to Michael’s mum who did all the cooking at the sister café What to order: Trust us: order the mixed grill platter which reads like a list of Leila’s greatest hits including grilled lamb and kofta It was likely Bendooley Estate that helped herald a new chapter for the Southern Highlands. The atmospheric bookshop has given road-trippers from Sydney and Canberra a reason to pull off the highway for the past four decades The grand Georgian homestead is tucked into the rolling hills The Berrima book barn is of course best known for its collection of secondhand But the grand Georgian homestead built on a tract of land granted to Governor Lachlan Macquarie more than two centuries ago also has a fabulous restaurant and bar The Bendooley Estate kitchen serves delectable dishes Start with a glass of wine and charcuterie plate in the cellar door then bunker down in the cosy book barn for Tuscan panzanella or Margherita pizza with a mixed leaf salad on the side Head to Leo’s Bar for a pre- or post-dinner drink Bendooley Estate has something for everyone What to order: The slow-cooked beef short ribs with parmesan polenta Artemis Wines is not just for lovers of great wines The estate also offers a lunch of light platters (think cheeseboards) on the lawn from Monday to Friday as well as the occasional pop-up BYO vinyl nights for holidaying hipsters The winery is known for its cool-climate wines and offers wood-fired pizzas on Saturdays and Sundays What more do you need when on holiday in the Southern Highlands than a cheese plate and a glass of wine?  Ideally located for those whose country boltholes are just minutes away Sit down for a cheese plate and a glass of wine Best for: The best sushi and sashimi in the Southern Highlands Toshi’s is a Southern Highlands institution The family-run restaurant has been going strong in Mittagong for more than three decades and is led by chef and restaurateur Toshi San The thoughtfully curated menu is Toshi San’s love letter to Japan It’s not the newest place in the Southern Highlands But it’s endured for a multitude of reasons The Japanese proverb kuru mono kaeru ga gotoshi offers an insight into what to expect at Toshi’s It translates to ‘relax like at home’ which is what this old-school place aims to achieve Customers at Toshi’s come to be transported back to the Tokyo prefecture and there’s a patina and warmth here in this dimly lit dining room that cannot be contrived Expect the very precise kind of dishes that Toshi San has been cooking for decades and order a procession of them Best for: A laid-back eatery serving classic Mediterranean fare slow-roasted beef brisket with slaw and sriracha chilli mayo and confit duck leg with a warm kipfler potato and watercress salad with juniper berry jus offer plenty for diners on the hunt for comforting country classics Josh’s has been built a fervent following since it opened in 2016, the soundtrack is heavy on pop and the menu is flat-out Mediterranean What also leaves an impression on visitors is the warm restaurant by night feels more like a friend’s home and is filled primarily with locals It’s got chairs that recall your Mittagong mate’s place which guarantees you can have a good time here Discover the best cafes in Bowral Thrift stores offer affordable and unique clothing items If you were just as likely to follow Hannah Ferguson’s Cheek Media  for political analysis.. Trigger warning: This story discusses sexual assault and rape Consider this your essential guide to dining through the light rail disruption Canberra’s culinary scene is getting hotter than a chef’s temper.. A premier pickleball and padel facility has opened in Fyshwick to bring a new way.. It’s that time of year when Canberra transforms into the dance capital of Australia Home to the townships and villages of Bowral and Bundanoon – and just two hours from Canberra – it’s well worth planning a road trip or staycation We found 10 reasons to visit the Highlands this weekend for a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway A post shared by The Press Shop Bowral (@the_press_shop) We think not –  and that’s why stopping at The Press Shop in Bowral should be at the top of your bucket list expect the best of local and organic produce –  like a big breakfast that includes free-range eggs from Taluca Park in Exeter and Li-Sun exotic mushrooms 5/391-397 Bong Bong Street, Bowral | thepressshopbowral.au A post shared by Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral | Hotel | Events | Weddings (@parkproxibowral) Get ready to feast on stunning views and even more stunning dishes in the Southern Highlands with this new contemporary Asian restaurant in Bowral Serving everything from savoury dumpling to fresh seafood the menu is all about celebrating the best local ingredients with mouth-watering food with the gorgeous Southern Highlands as the backdrop 7 Boronia Street, Bowral | lotusdininggroup.com/bowral A post shared by Dirty Janes | Vintage Emporium | Salters Licensed Café | Bowral (@dirtyjanes_bowral) we have Dirty Janes here in Canberra – but there’s nothing like visiting the place where it all began don’t be surprised if time passes by in the blink of an eye as you peruse the shelves it’s heaven for anyone who loves to look for antiques 13 Banyette Street, Bowral | dirtyjanes.com A post shared by The Gumnut Patisserie (@thegumnutpatisserie) A trip to the country means indulging in award-winning pastries expect lines at every location that stretch down the street gumnutpatisserie.com.au A post shared by HUNTER & GATHERER COLLECTIONS (@huntergatherercollections) Looking to add something new (and unique) to your home Hunter and Gatherer Collections is the place to go this boutique has a focus on collecting earthy organic homewares from around the world Be prepared – you’ll walk into the showroom to discover an abundance of lounges and soaps (just to name a few of their offerings)  542 Argyle Street, Moss Vale | hunterandgatherercollections.com A post shared by OSBORN HOUSE (@osbornhouse_) 96 Osborn Avenue, Bundanoon | osbornhouse.com.au A post shared by Paste Bangkok (@pastebangkok) stopping at Michelin-starred culinary institution Paste Bangkok is a must Expect a fusion of age-old customs and contemporary creative twists that will deliver to your plate Your tastebuds will thank you for treating them to the award-winning bold and punchy Thai flavours 105 Main St, Mittagong | pasteaustralia.com A post shared by Boutique Chocolate Shop (@blissinabox__) This iconic – and historic venue – has an incredible range of gourmet local and imported cheese there’s also a boutique florist and nursery located at the top end of the factory  107 Hoddle Street, Robertson | robertsoncheesefactory.com.au A post shared by Eschalot Restaurant (@eschalot_restaurant_berrima) This award-winning eatery on the Old Hume Highway is a must-try for any foodie Using high-quality produce – most of it grown on-site at the restaurant’s gardens and greenhouses – expect mouth-watering morsels that are honest and creative (and perfectly paired with matching wines) 24 Old Hume Highway, Berrima | eschalot.com.au A post shared by EAT. STAY. READ. LOVE (@bendooleyestate) this iconic book barn is home to one of the most beautiful bookstores in Australia cathedral ceilings and king-sized iron chandeliers spend a day curled up by the stone fireplace escaping reality head to the much-loved Bendooley Estate restaurant 3020 Old Hume Highway, Berrima | bendooleyestate.com.au A post shared by 𝙰 𝚁 𝚃 𝙴 𝙼 𝙸 𝚂 𝚆 𝙸 𝙽 𝙴 𝚂 (@artemiswines) The Southern Highlands is a wine lovers’ paradise The high altitude of the region makes it the perfect place to produce cool-climate wines and there’s an abundance of cellar doors to visit – 15 in fact Think Artemis Wines and Tertini Wines near Mittagong and Southern Highland Winery near Sutton Forest and things are looking more festive than a Christmas cookie Empowering young rural women and non-binary people to reach their leadership potential – that’s the… Sign up HerCanberra acknowledges Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities as the traditional custodians of the land we work on and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land. As an inclusive organisation we also strive to celebrate people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities. attracting some of the biggest names to its secluded estates King Charles’ charity has taken over the leasehold of the heritage-listed Hillview Estate SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy link Share via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe During King Charles′ recent trip Down Under he bought – via his charity The King’s Foundation Australia – the long-term leasehold for a grand old estate in the NSW Southern Highlands further swelling the ranks of notable landholders in the region The Sutton Forest property slated for a royal restoration project is 61-hectare which served as the vice-regal summer retreat for NSW governors in the late 1800s Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Picture by Tim Bradshaw PhotographyWas it tears or the rain streaming down faces in Bowral It was hard to tell at times during a rain-soaked celebration of love loss and heartache at Centennial Vineyards Dressed in brightly coloured plastic ponchos and gumboots crowds arrived early to see support acts Ruby Fields and Kate Miller-Heidke the latter of which gazed out to soggy crowds and giggled as she said "you look like multi-coloured condom heads" and so did the audience as the rain kept on drizzling It seemed to be the theme at A Day on the Green on Saturday laughter and memories that still haunt today Miller-Heidke recalled one of her life's great highlights when she performed at the 2019 Eurovision Awards As the singer moved around the stage attached to a pole during the competition presenter Graham Norton quipped: "If windscreen wipers could sing..." The memory still makes Miller-Heidke laugh today It's almost hard to believe it's been 20 years since Missy Higgins changed the music industry forever with her debut album her intimate storytelling and soulful melodies are just heartwrenching Her two-hour show is broken up into two parts - the first was pared-back and acoustic She effortlessly floats between songs from her new album, The Second Act, and those written as a high schooler when she was first discovered on triple j's Unearthed. She often talks between songs and explains her latest ones have come following a recently tumultuous personal life and divorce. Her lyrics explore themes of parenting, womanhood and navigating life as a single mum. View +11 PhotosShe wrote A Complicated Truth to try and explain divorce to her five-year-old daughter Luna, it's gutting and honest - "I'll always love your daddy 'cause together we made you" she sings. As Higgins sings When Four Becomes Three, it's about splitting from her husband and becoming a single mum to her two children; tears begin to flow from my friend sitting beside me. She, too, is going through the same thing as Higgins; it's gut-wrenching. Moments of joy spilled from Higgins when speaking about her song The Second Act. She admits she doesn't have a current "crush" and is looking forward to the self-discovery and adventures that lay ahead. Kate Miller-Heidke on stage during A Day on the Green at Bowral on Saturday, November 30, 2024. Picture by Tim Bradshaw Photography"I'm very excited about my next chapter," she said. Or, as the lyrics go: "Life's calling me back I think I'm ready for the second act". Amid the heartache, there's joy and self-deprecating humour, especially when she sings the wrong lyrics and realises her microphone is in the wrong spot as she starts playing the piano. "Well, f**k, the microphone was too high," she laughs as she abruptly stops playing and singing. Earlier this week, she covered Troye Sivan's One Of Your Girls for triple j's Like A Version, and she laughs as she tells the crowd how she can make anything sound sadder. She was right, her version is sadder than Sivan's version. Missy Higgins' Second Act tour is more than just a music show; it's heartfelt storytelling by one of Australia's greatest songwriters. It was emotionally rich, satisfying and at times gutwrenching. This is a music journey you don't want to miss. Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Love footy? We've got all the action covered. The latest news, results & expert analysis. Get the latest property and development news here. Find out what's happening in local business. Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! HomeTributes & FuneralsDeaths & FuneralsDenney, Jill Robertson2024 • Bowral, NSW Late of Berrima. Passed away peacefully on Friday 13th December 2024. Dearly loved Wife of Darrell. Loved Mother of Rebecca and Malcolm. Mother-in-law of Susan. Grandmother of Jed, Michaela, Jared, Analise, Connor and Jordan. Loving Great Grandmother of Mila, Murphy and Olivia. She will be dearly missed. A family service will be held on Monday 23rd December 2024. LADY ROSE FUNERALS 36 Bowral Street, Bowral 4862 1833 Consultant: Bec Webb HomeTributes & FuneralsView +1 PhotosDeaths & FuneralsShields, Jason Allan2024 • Bowral, NSW Dearly loved son of Robert (dec) & Ellen. Loving father to Taylah, Georgia and Courtney. Loving poppy to Skylah, Sierra, Astra, Ruby, Levi, Dixie and loved brother of Stewart, Linda and Robert. A private family service for Jason will be held. Lachlan Horne and Mason Evans attend rehearsals for the Australia Day concert at Sydney Opera House Picture suppliedThree Bowral Public School students have been selected to sing alongside some of Australia's greatest performing artists on Australia Day 2025 All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe 2024 concert was delivered to a packed crowd and the same is expected this year Picture suppliedAdding to the exciting opportunity for the youngsters will be the fact that they will perform on the steps of the Sydney Opera House as part of Australia Day celebrations in the city Lachlan Horne and Mason Evans will perform a medley of Australian classics such as INXS's Never Tear Us Apart the Sheppard hit Geronimo and Djapana (Treaty) by Indigenous artist Yothu Yindi The students will also perform a Schools Spectacular original song The choir will feature 111 students from 68 schools across the state with some students travelling from as far as Albury and Wagga Wagga to sing to predicted crowds of up to 55,000 The Australia Day Live concert will feature renowned Australian artists Ben Lee Students performing in the choir at the 2024 concert Picture suppliedThe NSW Public Schools Choir will be led by eight Pulse Alive principal vocalists Pulse Alive is a large-scale Department of Education - The Arts Unit event providing high-quality opportunities in the performing arts for students and teachers from NSW public schools in Greater Sydney and beyond The students will perform in the 'pre-show' They will also provide the backing choir for the main show which will be broadcast live on ABC TV and ABC iview from 7.30pm Free tickets to the January 26 live concert at the Sydney Opera House are now available at www.sydneyoperahouse.com Drop pins on all the best cafes in Bowral and your Maps app will look like it’s been scattered with confetti. Cafe hopping here is one of the best things to do in the Southern Highlands. It’s right up there with getting out into nature, exploring its vineyards and trawling for antiques The centre of Bowral is easily walkable and you’ll find everything you’re looking for here from specialty coffee to artisan pastries Here is the ultimate guide to the best cafes in Bowral and beyond Described as ‘that lovely little café in Bowral’ for a reason, The Press Shop is located in what was once an old bespoke letterpress studio offering visitors a taste of the Highlands’ heritage on the main street of Bowral brunch at this Bowral restaurant conjures up an image of brightness and conviviality duck-egg-blue décor and hanging pendant lights the happy staff scribbling up lists of inspired specials that keep their customers and local producers proudly front of mind Delicious menu options might include zucchini corn fritters with house-made chilli jam Or the breakfast burrito with scrambled egg Just down the street from The Press Shop is the buzzy Green Lane shopping and dining precinct, home to all manner of culinary, retail and horticultural delights including Plantation Cafe bright and plant-filled cafe serving Double Roasters coffee This plant-filled cafe offers a delectable all-day menu One of the best things to do in Bowral is bounce between antique shops looking for vintage finds. Get dressed up in your Bridgerton best for high tea at Your Vintage Occasion The tea salon is the go-to place to head for high tea in Bowral Bowral feels a little bit like an English village in character and so became the summer playground of Sydney’s gentry in the 19th century Channel the spirit of eccentric aristocracy as you sip on brews from the Highlands Tea Company in fine bone China cups at the venue tucked away in The Milk Factory an art gallery and exhibition space in Bowral served with generous dollops of jam and cream and delivered in a range of flavours: from classic to rose to white chocolate and cinnamon Browse the store for amazing antique collectables Look no further than Fermento for your fix of artisan baked goods This family-owned bakery and cafe in the centre of town has honed its cornerstone offering down to a fine art The sourdough bread is by Baked in Berrima and contains just three ingredients – organic flour Choose from a concise selection of sweet and savoury breakfast or lunch dishes from the Bong Bong St bakery including flaky pastries Angle for a table from which to enjoy the focaccia bun with smoked chilli flakes which is why this Bowral café is regarded as one of the region’s best This attention to detail is the thread that binds Fermento to its sister venues: Berrima General Store and Baked in Berrima Gumnut Patisserie has stores in Bowral The family-run business has been going strong for more than two decades it’s justifiably known for its baked goods cupcakes and tailored cakes for birthdays and special occasions Bridgerton protagonist Penelope Featherington would most certainly approve of the high tea on offer at Gumnut Patisserie which is available to pick up in-store and take back to your Bowral accommodation The range of elaborate bites on offer here includes mini quiches mini pies and petit fours as well as individual sponge cakes with jam and cream Given that Gumnut Patisserie won Best Neenish Tart in the Wotif Uniquely Aussie Awards we’d recommend getting to grips with the dessert made with a pastry base and a filling comprising of gelatine-set cream The cafe’s mantra is ‘Life’s Short Eat Dessert First’ Moss Vale has also been bookmarked as a destination rather than a place to pass through in the Southern Highlands And consumers conscious of their environmental footprint will love supporting the Society a cafe within the What If Society where they can meet like-minded people The What If Society is a sustainable food cooperative that works in collaboration with local suppliers around the Southern Highlands to make a difference The café is an offshoot of all that the co-op delivers and is also committed to a zero-waste policy Head chef Eilish Maloney has worked at the Michelin-starred Ledbury in London alongside Brett Graham and was head chef at Saint Peter Now the chef has gone back to her roots running everything from cooking classes to supper clubs The eco-conscious eatery leads onto an outdoor terrace at the back of a wholefood store and even its more decadent menu items are guaranteed to be made with the cleanest of ingredients Pick from an all-day breakfast menu that includes ricotta pancakes with cinnamon poached pear, berry compote and pistachio and coconut crumble. Or ogle the lunch menu for inspo from the likes of potato and leek fritters or Mittagong train tunnel risotto afternoon grazing options and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays The front of the cafe features a whole-food store The Bong Bong St Bowral cafe is the sister venue to the Moss Vale cafe run by Rush Roasting Co It offers barista training courses and sells a range of coffee-related products Enjoy a silky-smooth latte or espresso at the Moss Vale cafe run by Rush Roasting Co. long before artisan coffee was given in the Southern Highlands The staff are well trained when it comes to the different types of beans so they can help you find your perfect cup The coffee at Rush Roasters in Bowral is award-winning Coffee and art collide at Nick’s in Bowral a light-filled café has been a place for the community to gather since opening in 2020 You’ll see evidence of this in the queues congregating here on Saturday mornings for carefully made shots of coffee and a chat Grab a seat on the bench outside this slip of a place and watch the hubbub of Bong Bong Street go by Or bunker down inside to admire coffee-related ‘Nick’-knacks and art The café has free wi-fi so expect to share the communal countertops with a few trust fund kidults While the café started out as more of a gallery it’s become a full-blown institution for coffee thanks to the fact one of its main baristas worked at Canberra cafe ONA run by Sasa Sestic He was crowned World’s Best Barista no less A coffee here will keep you wired for the day Nick’s in Bowral has been going strong since 2020 Cafe Rocca is an institution in Bowral. Located a few doors down from Leila’s at the Grand, considered one of the best places to eat in Bowral Head here for Black Mountain coffee made using beans roasted by Seven Miles and breakfast staples such as smashed avo on toast or shakshuka which has been going strong for almost three decades Cafe Rocca is open for lunch selling crowd-pleasing favourites such as za’atar pizzetta Lebanese spicy sausage pasta and toasted sangas Cafe Rocca is very well-known among locals Again, we’re cheating by including The Boston Ivy 1880 which is a mere five-minute drive down the road in Mittagong but it’s 100 per cent worth going beyond Bowral for The Boston Ivy 1880 is housed in a stone-and-ivy-clad building that dates to 1880 It has a pretty courtyard out the back and an interior that marries a folksy heritage feel – think unfinished wood and exposed brickwork – with clean it does a good line of specialty coffee and delicious hearty dishes Plump for a Posh Ploughman,  schnitzel sandwich or bacon panini If you’re lucky there will still be a still-warm croissant waiting for you take with you for the remainder of your road trip Overtake the locals with teacup poodles in their handbags to secure a table for le petit dejeuner at Franquette Crêperie The crêperie that declares “These are not pancakes’ on its website deserves a dedicated detour you’ll find the place buzzing with former city slickers who now work from their country homes and queue up on the daily for fresh-baked crêpes and coffee Charismatic French owner Julien Besnard and his Australian wife Remy have brought a little bit of Breton to Bowral’s cafe culture The focus at the crêperie is on perfecting paper-thin crêpes with a contemporary twist with flavours such as pavlova and banoffee pie Practise the French you learned on the Duo Lingo app and order j’ai dit Franquette Ask the friendly waiters to package up a few galettes to go with your bottle of plonk from Thirsty Cellars Bowral Franquette Crêperia serves a sustainable vegan brunch The Hungry Monkey started out in Kiama in 2015 and has since been given a license to grill in Berry There’s even a Hungry Monkey food truck that allows the brand to expand its offerings and cater to weddings and events in and around the Southern Highlands The specialty coffee is White Horse and it’s locally roasted and always freshly ground The Hungry Monkey brand delivers beyond breakfast brunch and lunch options with special dinners designed to support live music Everything here is homemade from the pickled onion to the salsa verde and tomato relish Ask for all of the above to be added to your big-arse brekkie burger And the smiley bearded waiters are as much of an attraction as the boutique burgers You are guaranteed to rub shoulders with fellow foodies from Sydney looking to enjoy the very best local food and produce at Berrima General Store The rustic general store doubles as a community hub It stocks indulgent treats supplied by Baked in Berrima and features as a place to stop on the Southern Pielands Trail Check Instagram to see if anyone you know has geotagged the general store which is home to one of the best cafes in the Southern Highlands It’s all about beautifully presented food made with fresh ingredients from the store’s own organic market garden Pop back for pizza night and a bowl of salad bristling with leaves and fresh herbs Flour Bar is set in a beautiful mid-century bank on Argyle St And though a lot of recipes are under lock and key it’s safe to say we know the formula for success here involves beautifully presented food made with fresh ingredients Check Instagram to see what’s coming in hot at Flour Bar which is one of the best bakeries in the Southern Highlands The dining room at Flour Bar is soothing and warm and ignites as much joy as the treats the bakers are turning out of the oven Pair your meal with wine available by the glass Discover the best restaurants in Bowral. My wife and I spent a week in Bowral in 19 and every morning we could we ate at The Allumer Cafe and makes you want to go and visit these places and my wife and I have already visited some of the places Thank you for all the in-depth descriptions of places to visit and dine I believe Cafe Rocca comes ahead of a lot of others I agree it’s a legend Cafe with a stable family business which locals love Healthcare Asia Magazine website works best with Javascript enabled Please enable your javascript and reload the page The facility offers allied health services Bowral & District Hospital in New South Wales, Australia, has opened a new outpatient centre, as part of its $34.3m (A$55m) Stage 2 redevelopment. The facility, known as the OC, offers allied health services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, speech pathology, podiatry, and dietetics. The centre also houses medical clinics for general medicine, cardiac diagnostics and rehabilitation, and geriatrics. Meanwhile, the final phase of the Stage 2 redevelopment, which includes refurbishing the General Services Building, is expected to be finished later this year. Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOSThe opposition leader insists there's still a pathway to victory but has been criticised for stoking culture wars as he fights for conservative voter preferences All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinuePublic polling has tracked away from the coalition over the course of the campaign and Peter Dutton has little time to turn it around before election day on Saturday Mr Dutton maintains internal numbers are more optimistic than the public ones as he hits more than two dozen seats in the final week of campaigning Peter Dutton has visited the NSW Southern Highlands (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)He's credited "quiet Australians" for his optimism saying people in outer suburbs who believe Labor hasn't delivered for them would turn to the coalition The parties' polling was positive and those numbers reflected "the mood that the marginal seat members are reporting back to me at the pre-polling" he said before campaigning in the ultra-marginal NSW south coast seat of Gilmore The term "quiet Australians" was famously used by former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison after his unexpected victory in 2019 which defied polls that consistently predicted a Labor victory The opposition leader on Tuesday also visited Whitlam in the NSW Southern Highlands where incumbent Labor MP Stephen Jones is retiring Anthony Albanese says Peter Dutton has spent his political career stoking division (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)Anthony Albanese criticised the opposition leader for stoking culture wars most recently for criticising Welcome to Country ceremonies "Peter Dutton has spent a political career stoking division trying to turn Australians against each other trying to start culture wars," the prime minister said while campaigning in Brisbane I am interested in fighting for Australians." Mr Dutton's office was vandalised on Tuesday Posters criticising his stance on refugees comparing him to US President Donald Trump calling him a fascist and hosting the Indigenous rights slogan always will be Aboriginal land" were stuck on the windows Labor has sought to distance itself from the debate over whether Indigenous Welcome to Country ceremonies and acknowledgements to Country have become overdone Coalition campaign spokesman James Paterson said the opposition leader hadn't proactively made the ceremonies an issue but he was asked about it in press conferences and responded honestly Escalating a divisive debate was "the wrong way for this nation to deal with its practices and with cultural elements that are important to both sides" former Liberal Indigenous affairs minister Ken Wyatt said "When you start to politicise elements of Aboriginal affairs or cultural practices then you start a process of allowing division to occur," he said when asked about Mr Dutton's critique One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says the Liberals have welcomed some of her conservative ideas (Brian Cassey/AAP PHOTOS)Mr Albanese has also made a point of referring to the coalition's preference deal with One Nation as Labor paints the opposition leader as a divisive figure Mr Dutton avoided answering why his party was preferencing One Nation second after former Liberal prime minister John Howard - who Mr Dutton has spoken of as a role model - put them last While the opposition leader has worked to shake off criticisms he's borrowing policies from Donald Trump One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says Liberals have welcomed conservative ideas she was putting forward before the US president was elected "A lot of the sitting members within the Liberal Party agree with my policies they know we're on the same page," she told AAP Support from right-wing minor parties could still help the coalition get over the line with preference flows to the opposition "dramatically higher" than the last election in 2022 Mr Morrison's former media chief Andrew Carswell said A Roy Morgan poll showed Labor remained on track to form a majority government leading 53 to 47 per cent on a two-party preferred basis The latest YouGov poll showed One Nation had a 10.5 per cent primary vote HomeTributes & FuneralsDeaths & FuneralsSchofield Family and friends of Clare are kindly invited to attend her Funeral Service to be held at All Saints Anglican Church Followed by interment at Bong Bong Cemetery Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time A “mind-boggling human error” has been blamed for the abrupt early morning cancellation of a major bike event in the Southern Highlands less than an hour before it was due to start leaving thousands of cyclists fuming and organisers demanding answers which has raised more than $500,000 for charity since 2016 and is regarded as a fixture in the NSW cycling calendar was scheduled to begin from 6.15am but riders arriving from Sydney and elsewhere received texts from “devastated” event officials telling them the event was off because a key traffic management contractor had not turned up which unlike the 2024 race went ahead without a hitch.Credit: Cycling Classics the organisers sought to calm anger by offering more detail about the circumstances leading to the debacle “Our traffic management partner – an important partner we have worked with for several years – simply didn’t show up,” the organisers said “The traffic management for the Bowral Classic is a huge operation with over 100 traffic marshals coming from across the Southern Highlands “Our traffic management contractor has told us there was a date stuff up Given the reams of communications and approvals necessary “Suffice it to say we are not letting the matter rest there.” Hundreds of riders who arrived or woke up in Bowral still chose to pedal 120-kilometre or 85-kilometre road loops but without standard signage road closures and other logistical support Balmain resident Clarissa Phillips was just minutes from arriving in Bowral at 5.00am when she was told the race had been axed I’m devastated because we’ve been looking forward to it,” Phillips said “I’m in a triathlon club and we had about 15 people training for this was just minutes from arriving in Bowral about 5am when she was told the race was cancelledCredit: Garry Maddox who travelled from the northern Sydney suburb of Beacon Hill and then we were all in our cars trying to work out what to do next,” Robertson said They took down all the signs so we had no directions on where to go The event organisers paid for all the food in the village at the end of the ride and have offered refunds on the registration fees NSW Police said no injuries had been reported during the day Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter A \\u201Cmind-boggling human error\\u201D has been blamed for the abrupt early morning cancellation of a major bike event in the Southern Highlands less than an hour before it was due to start was scheduled to begin from 6.15am but riders arriving from Sydney and elsewhere received texts from \\u201Cdevastated\\u201D event officials telling them the event was off because a key traffic management contractor had not turned up \\u201COur traffic management partner \\u2013 an important partner we have worked with for several years \\u2013 simply didn\\u2019t show up,\\u201D the organisers said \\u201CThe traffic management for the Bowral Classic is a huge operation \\u201COur traffic management contractor has told us there was a date stuff up \\u201CSuffice it to say we are not letting the matter rest there.\\u201D \\u201CWe\\u2019ve been training for three months I\\u2019m devastated because we\\u2019ve been looking forward to it,\\u201D Phillips said \\u201CI\\u2019m in a triathlon club and we had about 15 people training for this \\u201COne guy I met came from Brisbane.\\u201D and then we were all in our cars trying to work out what to do next,\\u201D Robertson said \\u201CAlmost everyone decided to ride anyway Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts has appointed Charles Cowell as the new general manager of its Southern Highlands property With over 20 years of experience in hospitality management and multiple general manager positions in both Australia and the UK in the past 15 years Cowell brings a wealth of knowledge to Park Proxi and Seibu Prince Having lived and worked in Southern Highlands for over eight years Cowell is reminded a lot of the UK with the rolling hills and friendly locals He’s worked closely with the local community and helped deliver amazing results for various charity events that impact the highlands community immensely “What I love about hospitality is that you get to be part of people’s lives and work together in unison to create a moment or achieve the unachievable,” Cowell said the sense of pride and satisfaction when you see a guest leave happy is truly a gift.” Nestled in the heart of NSW’s Southern Highlands the first Australian property under the Park Proxi brand opened its doors in the former Gibraltar Hotel in 2023 It offers premium accommodation with spacious rooms and suites boasting floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of Mount Gibraltar and the surrounding woodlands The property boasts an extensive range of facilities including a picturesque 18-hole resort-style golf course “We have a clear ambition to make Park Proxi a hotel of the locals,” Cowell added “Not only will the hotel offer tourists the opportunity to explore this idyllic destination but we also want to give the locals the opportunity to enjoy the hotel and the facilities.” A welcomed recent change to the hotel is the new restaurant Lotus Bowral a joint partnership between Seibu Prince and Lotus Dining Group to bring the group’s renowned quality and nuanced take on Chinese cuisine to the Southern Highlands Guests staying at the hotel and locals living in the area can sample a blend of popular Lotus dishes alongside exciting menu items showcasing the region’s amazing produce “We’re thrilled to have Charles take up the helm at Park Proxi and guide the hotel and the brand into a new exciting chapter,” Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts CEO “With a proven track record of excellence in the hospitality industry he will bring a wealth of experience and a strong vision for the future of the property and commitment to fostering relationships with the local community will be the key drivers as we continue to elevate the guest experience at Park Proxi and strengthen our position as a premier destination in Bowral.”