Welcome To Bertram
A Texas Hill Country railroad town born in 1882, quietly having its best moment in a century — where a restored Art Deco theatre, a 1904 distillery, and one very famous oatmeal festival put Bertram back on the map.
Bertram at a Glance
County: Burnet County, Texas
Location: ~45 miles northwest of Austin via US-183 North
Founded: 1882 — named for railroad stockholder Rudolph Bertram
Known For: Historic Train Depot, Globe Theatre, Flanigan’s Distillery & Winery, Oatmeal Festival
Signature Season: Spring (Bluebonnet Festival) | Labor Day (Oatmeal Festival) | Year-round (wineries, theatre)
Don’t Miss: Bertram Flyer rail excursion, Globe Theatre live music, the giant oatmeal canister photo op
THE HILL COUNTRY’S RAILROAD RENAISSANCE
Bertram was born the same year the Austin and Northwestern Railroad cut through Burnet County — 1882. For the better part of a century it thrived as a railroad and ranching community, then quietly faded as small Texas towns tend to do. What’s happening now is something different. The Globe Theatre, a 1935 Art Deco gem that once faced demolition, hosts live music and film screenings to packed houses. Flanigan’s Texas Distillery & Winery pours award-winning wines and spirits out of a beautifully restored 1904 building. New restaurants and boutiques are claiming the old brick storefronts one by one.
Bertram has always been worth the drive from Austin. Now there are more reasons than ever to make it a full weekend. The Hill Country Flyer and Bertram Flyer rail excursions depart from Cedar Park and make a stop right at the historic 1912 Depot. The Oatmeal Festival — one of the quirkiest and most beloved events in the Texas Hill Country — draws visitors every Labor Day. And the bluebonnets along the roadsides in spring are as good as anywhere in Burnet County.
Bertram Events
Explore Bertram
History, Hill Country wine, and wide-open Texas land — all within an hour of Austin.
The Globe Theatre
The Globe Theatre was built in 1935, survived decades of neglect, and nearly met a demolition crew — before Bertram rallied to save it. Today it’s one of the most intimate live music and film venues in the Texas Hill Country. The Austin American-Statesman called it ‘warm, intimate, alive.’ Honky-Tonk Wednesdays bring in the boots-and-beer crowd. Classic film nights fill the seats with folks who remember when movie theatres looked like this. And year-round live entertainment makes the Globe the beating heart of Bertram’s resurgence. Check their schedule and go on a Wednesday — you won’t regret it.
Flanigan’s Distillery & Winery
Housed in a beautifully restored 1904 stone building near the Bertram Train Depot. Award-winning Texas wines and small-batch spirits. One of the most distinctive tasting rooms in Burnet County.
Board a vintage passenger car in Cedar Park for a scenic excursion through the Hill Country with a stop right at Bertram’s 1912 restored Train Depot. One of the most unique day trips from Austin.
Two of Burnet County’s crown jewels are just 20 minutes west of Bertram. Swim, kayak, and hike at Inks Lake State Park, or go underground at Longhorn Cavern — The National Cave of Texas.
Where to stay near Bertram
Bertram makes an excellent home base for a Hill Country getaway — positioned at the crossroads of wine country, railroad history, and the Highland Lakes. The surrounding Burnet County countryside is dotted with cabin retreats, ranch stays, and hilltop vacation rentals that put you close to everything without being in the middle of anything.
Whether you’re planning a couples’ escape to the wine trail, a family weekend splitting time between the Globe Theatre and Inks Lake, or a group weekend somewhere with cedar hills and a front porch, the STRs around Bertram give you the authentic Hill Country experience the big resort towns can’t quite offer.
- Waterfront cabins and lake houses on Lake Buchanan
- Secluded Hill Country cottages and ranch retreats
- Glamping domes and stargazing experiences
- RV parks and campgrounds near Inks Lake
- Group retreat properties for reunions, weddings, and events
Eat, Drink & Explore Downtown Bertram
Texas 29 and the old Austin and Northwestern Railroad tracks still split downtown Bertram into its north and south sides — just as they have since 1882. Flanigan’s Texas Distillery & Winery occupies one end of that divide. The Globe Theatre anchors the other. In between, BTX Coffee pours Texas Pecan Cake and cold brew. The Standard brings a surprising level of culinary ambition to a building that once housed a lumberyard. And Mosaic Garden Treasures, KFire Winery, and a growing collection of boutiques and art shops are quietly filling in the gaps. Bertram’s downtown is the most authentic small-town main street in Burnet County — still a work in progress, still getting better every year.
Restaurants & Coffee
BTX Coffee for Texas Pecan Cake and cold brew. The Standard for elevated small-town dining in a historic lumberyard building. Local diners and casual spots rounding out a surprisingly strong food scene.
Wineries & Spirits
Flanigan’s Texas Distillery & Winery in an 1904 stone building. KFire Winery and Vineyard inspired by Bertram’s firefighters. Pilot Knob Vineyard nearby. A legitimate Hill Country wine trail stop.
History & Shopping
The restored 1912 Train Depot. The 1935 Globe Theatre. Mosaic Garden Treasures fused glass art and workshops. A downtown full of vintage storefronts — some restored, some awaiting their next chapter.
Getting to Bertram
Bertram is about 45 miles northwest of Austin — a straightforward hour-long drive up US-183 North through the Balcones Escarpment and into the Texas Hill Country. It’s also served directly by the Austin Steam Train Association’s Bertram Flyer and Hill Country Flyer excursions departing from Cedar Park, making it one of the few Hill Country destinations you can reach without a car.
- From Austin: ~45 miles via US-183 North (approx. 55–65 minutes)
- From San Antonio: ~115 miles via I-35 North to US-183 North (approx. 1 hour 50 minutes)
- From Houston: ~195 miles via US-290 West to US-183 North (approx. 3 hours)
- From Dallas: ~235 miles via I-35 South to US-183 North (approx. 3.5 hours)
- By Train: Austin Steam Train Association Bertram Flyer departs Cedar Park — stops at Bertram Depot
- Nearest Airport: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) — approx. 55 miles