Burradoo Park Farm is a working farm at 6 Railway Road, Burradoo, just minutes from Bowral in the NSW Southern Highlands, and it began opening in stages from early April this year. Bowral is about a 90-minute drive southwest of Sydney. Entry is free, but a booked ticket is needed on weekends, public holidays, NSW school holidays and during Tulip Time. Inside there’s a nature playground, animals, a gelato store, a bakery, a cafe and a set-menu restaurant.
I came across it on the drive back to Sydney from Kangaroo Valley and ended up staying the whole afternoon.
What the Farm Is
It’s a 600-acre working regenerative farm founded by Annie Cannon-Brookes, with grazing livestock, market gardens, orchards and hives, and much of it is open to wander. The food side is run by Three Blue Ducks, and what gets grown and raised on the property ends up in their kitchens.
Plenty of farm outings come down to a lap past the animals and then home. This one asks for an afternoon. There’s grass to walk on, a vegetable garden to look at, and somewhere good to sit down whenever you’ve had enough.
Things for Kids to Do
The nature playground is the main drawcard. The farm describes it as a place for kids to explore and play screen-free. Around it, the activities lean towards making things from natural or recycled materials. I saw nature printing, flower dyeing on fabric, and crafts built from old cardboard boxes and wool. The farm runs a “Garbage School” that turns waste into creative projects. The lineup changes, so treat my list as a snapshot.
There aren’t many animals yet, since the farm only opened in April. Still, there were enough to keep children busy through the afternoon.
Food and Coffee
The Bakehouse is a proper bakery, not a kiosk, run by Three Blue Ducks. I grabbed a coffee and something from the pastry cabinet, and there’s sourdough for taking home too.
The gelato store surprised me most. The flavours shift with the seasons and are inspired by what’s growing. I tried beetroot and vanilla, and sweet potato and chocolate. Neither was a miss.
Lunch at The Farmhouse was good, and the vegetables were the best part. I found it pricey for what you get, but the setting makes up for a fair bit of that. On weekends The Farmhouse is walk-in only, so talk to the host about wait times.
The fine dining option is the Three Blue Ducks restaurant. It seats just 45 people in a restored farmhouse about 200 years old, with lunch from $175 a person for five courses and dinner from $210 for seven. I didn’t eat there, but it’s a clever setup. While the adults have a long lunch, the farm has enough going on outside that nobody gets bored.
Tickets, Hours and Practical Tips
- Farm hours: General access is 7am to 5pm every day. The Bakehouse is open 7am to 3pm, The Farmhouse 8am to 5pm, and the restaurant Thursday to Sunday, 11:30am to 9pm.
- Tickets: They’re free and cover a 1 hour 45 minute session, and they’re needed for anyone aged 2 and over on weekends, public holidays, school holidays and during Tulip Time. You don’t need one before 8:30am. One booking covers up to 6 guests.
- Parking: The driveway is opposite Oxley College. There’s no pedestrian access, only the main car park or an overflow shuttle.
- What to wear: It’s a working farm with dirty roads and changeable weather, so sturdy shoes are recommended.
- Dogs: Pets must be on a leash and are only allowed in paved, signposted areas.
Around animals, keep food away from the animal areas and wash hands afterwards. The Food Safety Information Council says not to eat or drink in animal areas and to wash hands after touching farm animals. A university microbiologist told the ABC that hand sanitiser isn’t as effective as soap and water for 20 seconds or more.
Planning It for the Spring School Holidays
NSW spring school holidays run from Monday 28 September to Friday 9 October 2026. That means a ticket is needed for your whole visit, and the farm notes that weekend tickets are free but go quickly, so book before you drive down. Our NSW school holidays and term dates 2026 page has the full calendar.
Bowral’s Tulip Time festival runs until 5 October, so the first week of the holidays overlaps with it. If you’re making a full day of the Highlands, the farm makes an easy second stop. For more days out, browse our things to do with kids listings or the school holiday activities tag.
Questions About Burradoo Park Farm
Is Burradoo Park Farm free?
Yes, entry is free. A booked general admission ticket is needed on weekends, public holidays, NSW school holidays and during Tulip Time.
How far is Burradoo Park Farm from Sydney?
About 90 minutes by car. It’s just minutes from Bowral.
Can you visit without a ticket?
On a normal weekday, yes. Otherwise, arrive before 8:30am or book a ticket.
Do you need to book the restaurant?
Yes, book Three Blue Ducks ahead. The Farmhouse takes bookings Monday to Friday and is walk-in only on weekends.
Can you bring a dog?
Only on a leash and only in paved, signposted areas.