The Hawkesbury River flows west into the Pacific Ocean just beyond Sydney's northern suburbs. One of the major rivers of the coastal region of New South Wales, the Hawkesbury River and its tributaries virtually encircle the metropolitan region of Sydney. The entire river system is around 600 kms long, making it a perfect recreational playground for the city of Sydney.

With the exception of the rocky terrain about the estuary, the valley is rich agricultural country and Sydney in its early days was largely dependent on its produce for subsistance. Most of the land to grow wheat in its upper regions is now devoted to mixed farming, market gardening and fruit growing.
Much of the country through which the lower tidal reaches of the river pass is very beautiful. Few would argue that it is the most beautiful reach of river on the Australian continent, if one excepts the much smaller but blazingly spectacular Katherine Gorge in NT and Giekie Gorge in the Kimberley region of WA.
One of the most delightful holidays Australia can provide is a leisurely few days or weeks spent cruising on the hunders of kilometres of clear, sheltered water of Broken Bay's three long, narrow branches - Pittwater, Cowan Creek and Brisbane Water. Pittwater, the southern branch, was named by Governor Phillip in 1788, who described it as 'the finest piece of water I ever saw'.
Cruises aboard house boats are very popular, and there are many tourist resorts on the foreshore, where accommodation raqnging from luxury hotels and motels to modest beach cottages can be obtained readily in all but the peak of the tourist season, for which it is necessary to book well ahead.

Penrith, Richmond and Windsor are three historic towns on the Nepean River, which is the name by which the upper reaches of the Hawkesbury River are known. Richmond and Windsor are two of Australia's oldest towns, and were established in the 1790s as centres for the fertile agricultural and fruit growing area of the upper Hawkesbury. Both towns have a rich colonial heritage and are home to some of the finest Georgian sandstone buildings in NSW. A day trip by train from Sydney to these towns is a recommended day out for those who enjoy stepping back in time.

Bobbin Head is a superb picnic and holiday site, either for a day trip or an extended stay. It has a modern boating complex from which a wide range of hire boats are available, including house boats, cruisers, fishing dinghys, paddleboats etc. Bobbin Head gives easy access to the flora and fauna of the river and nearby Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. There are also refreshment kiosks, picnic and barbecue facilities, swimming locations and toilets.

Berowra Waters is a secluded section of the river and the largest tributary in its central reaches. Situated upstream from where Pacific Highway cross the river at Kanfgaroo Point, Berowra Creek is a great waterway for exploration by canoe or dinghy.

Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park comprises of around 16,200 hecatres of bushland on the foreshores of Cowan and Creek and Pittwater, about 23 km north of the Sydney CBD. Roads and walking tracks throughout the park lead to picnic sites, rocky cliffs and secluded sandy beaches as well as numerous rock art sites created by the Aboriginal people after whom the park is named.

Pittwater

Dangar Island is a unique island paradise on the Hawkesbury River near Brooklyn to the north of Sydney. Dangar Island is surrounded by sparkling water and views in all directions. With no private cars to disturb the 'sounds of silence', Dangar Island is a haven of peace and tranquility and an ideal place for a holiday, a weekend away or even a day trip from Sydney.

Brisbane Water is a meandering waterway to the north of Broken Bay. It loops past St. Huberts, Rileys and Pelican Islands and opens out in a wider expanse near Gosford. Entry to Brisbane Water, around Lion Island and West Head, can be quite squally and the water choppy, but the views of the shoreline are magnificent. Brisbane Water National Park is set in rugged sandstone country. It's a great place to see wildflowers and Aboriginal engravings, and to go bushwalking, birdwatching and sightseeing.

Brisbane Water National Park is located in the lower reaches of Mooney Mooney Creek, which enters the Hawkesbury estuary from the north. The creek is ideal to explore by canoe, through beautiful mountainous wood country, with semi rainforest coming right down to the waters edge. Abundant wildlife can be seen including herons, Kingfisher, cormorants, sea eagles, fish, stingrays and more. Mooney Mooney Creek bridge, which carries the F3 Freeway from Sydney to Newcastle over the creek, is the highest road bridge in the southern hemisphere spanning 480mtrs.

There was a time when postmen delivered mail to out of the way riverside towns across Australia by boat. This time honoured tradition is still maintained in one place - on the Hawkesbury River, by a servicve known as the Riverboat Postman. Every day guests can travel with the postman and visit the small isolated river communities along the magnificent Hawkesbury River as their mail is delivered. Along the way they are entertained by a commentary of the river and its history.

View Larger Map