Fast facts
- Lush river valley
- Famous for its architectural heritage
- One hour’s drive north-west of Sydney
Why go there
To the west of Sydney, the Hawkesbury River winds its way through the Hawkesbury Valley, where historic townships are surrounded by national parks. More than 15 percent of the State’s fruit and vegetables are grown in the valley, and roadside stalls, orchards and wineries abound.
There’s a fascinating mix of rustic farm life, great dining and accommodation options, natural attractions and, of course, the river itself. You can hire a cruiser or houseboat and explore the Hawkesbury and its tributaries under your own steam.
Things to do
- Follow the Hawkesbury Harvest Farm Gate Trail and sample fresh seasonal produce, including citrus fruit, free-range eggs, chestnuts and walnuts.
- Canoe or kayak along the Colo River.
- Hike along the Great North Road and imagine what it was like to be a convict.
- Explore Windsor’s historic buildings, including St Matthew’s Anglican Church (1817), designed by convict architect Francis Greenway.
Don’t miss
- Historic Roughly House at Dural, which belonged to the same family from 1856 to 2002.
- The Burralow Rainforest Walk in the Blue Mountains National Park.
- Rouse Hill estate, Rouse Hill, a Georgian sandstone mansion built in the early 1800s.
- Morning or afternoon tea at Enniskillen Orchard, which overlooks the Grose Valley.
- Tizzana Winery, where you can sip wine while you tour the 1887 winery.
- Ebenezer Uniting Church, Ebenezer, established in 1809 and now Australia’s oldest operating church.
Events
- St Albans Folk Festival, St Albans, in April.
- Hawkesbury National Fiddle Festival, Clarendon, in April.
- Bridge to Bridge, ski race between the Brooklyn and Windsor bridges, May and November.
- Orange Blossom Festival, Hills District, in September.
- The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, from Brooklyn to Windsor, in October.
