destination – Hawkesbury

HAWKESBURY
The watery delights of the Hawkesbury

The Hawkesbury region is spectacular no matter what the time of year. But it’s during the warmer months that this region, less than an hour’s drive from Sydney, really comes into its own.

With 70 per cent of the area being national park there’s no better way to spend a day or two exploring the region’s many natural attractions by foot or by boat under a warming sun.

>> Destination Hawkesbury, Weekends For Two

This is especially true in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. It’s within this park that the Hawkesbury River meets the sea. As a result you’ll find a tight cluster of winding creeks, sheltered beaches, hidden coves and wide expanses of deep blue water. The park is also known for its rich Aboriginal history with numerous carvings a feature.

The Hawkesbury River is navigable for over 100 kilometres with 1100 kilometres of foreshore fringe. You could cruise and explore these waters for weeks and still not see it all.

At the same time the region’s 17 small towns and villages offer a range of shops and galleries selling locally made delights. There are also some great markets.

The Hawkesbury has been the food basket for Sydney since colonial times. The need for viable farming land to feed the rapidly growing Sydney community led to the discovery and the settlement of the Hawkesbury Valley region. Today it’s known for its quality apples, stone fruits, oranges, honey and vegetables - many of them grown organically.

For seafood lovers the Hawkesbury is true heaven, with oysters a specialty.

Brooklyn is an ideal departure point to explore the Hawkesbury River’s waterways. It’s from here you can take a tour or hire a boat and explore islands, swim at secluded sandy beaches or fish for your own seafood. What better way to spend a relaxing few days?