Bowral, NSW
Airing Date: Jun 23rd, 2007
When Brett Lee isn't fast bowling for the Australian Cricket team or recording songs in India, he loves nothing better than retreating to his
Southern Highlands property in NSW. In fact, Brett really is a country boy at heart. Amidst the splendiferous rural surrounds of the region aside from working on his farm, he enjoys visiting the range of local eateries and participating in an array of leisurely activities.
Around 1.5 hours' drive south of Sydney, taking a scenic drive from the potato-farming district of
Robertson to the English manor-like village of Bowral allows you to fully appreciate this picturesque region. Noted for its rich soils and undulating landscape aside from the infamous pie shop at Robertson and the town being used as the setting for the movie Babe, a must-stop photo opportunity is Robertson's 'big' claim to fame, The Big Potato. Situated in the main street, although looking a little worse for wear today, the Big Potato is a 10 metre-long, 4 metre-wide, big, brown ferroconcrete potato that was built in 1977 by local grower Jim Mauger, with the inside sprayed to look like mashed potato.
Continuing on towards Bowral via
Nowra Road, stop at the dramatically breathtaking contrast of the Fitzroy Falls. The falls are situated on the edge of Morton National Park,/b> and are reputed to be one of the state's highest and most beautiful waterfalls, dropping from an 80-metre escarpment.When you arrive at Bowral, you will discover a townscape and countryside of beauty, where exotic deciduous trees, "English" gardens and annual massed displays of perennials provide a unique attraction in the Australian countryside. Here amongst the many nostalgic public and private buildings, accommodation houses, boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants is The Elephant Boy Caf. Owned by David and Claudia Le Duc, the caf serves traditional, "proper" fare, where food is made the way it used to be amidst an atmospheric 1940s theme.
For the cricket fan the
Bradman Museum at Bowral, highlights the sport's significance, where visitors need to allow for at least a couple of hours at what is regarded as the living centre of cricket. Essentially, the museum has been established to honour Australia's greatest cricketer and sporting legend Sir Donald Bradman AC and to document Australian cricket, past and present. It includes five major exhibition galleries, a hundred-seat theatre, plus a second theatre, library, children's area, souvenir, gift shop and Stumps Tea Room. Daily screenings in the theatre highlight cricket newsreel footage from the first half of the twentieth century followed by an expose on Bodyline.
Further InformationThe Bradman Museum Entry: Family $22(2 adults and up to 3 kids); Adults $8.50; Child $4. For enquiries call:
(04 4862 1246 Prices correct at 23/05/07. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
Elaphant Boy Cafe Opens: 8am till 6pm, seven days a week. For enquiries call:
(02) 4423 2170 329 Bong Bong st. Bowral, NSW.
Fitzroy FallsNPWS Visitors Information Centre, Nowra Road, Fitzroy Falls, NSW. For enquiries call:
(02) 4423 2170
