Hawkesbury River And Windsor

Day 1

Home - Hawkesbury Valley
Our Hunter passengers will be transferred to meet our crew before travelling to Sydney Airport, where our Queensland passengers will join us. After lunch, visit Old Government House, a rare capsule of Australian's convict history, set in parklands beside the Parramatta River. Later, we make our way to the Hawkesbury Valley, in foothills of the Blue Mountains, to settle into our accommodation for the next five nights.

Day 2

Windsor - Riverboat Cruise
Travel to Brooklyn this morning for our Seven Islands cruise with Hawkesbury Cruises. Learn the history of the islands of the river - Lion, Dangar, Spectacle, Long, Peat, Milson and Bar Islands. Cruise past the water-access-only settlements of the lower Hawkesbury and see the wreck of the HMAS Parramatta (Australia's first warship). The views to the ocean behind Lion Island and the ancient Aboriginal rock carvings at Eagle Rock near Broken Bay make for some spectacular photos. As you travel this waterway, enjoy morning tea, lunch and the commentary from our Skipper who has spent the past 25 years cruising these magnificent waters. This afternoon, we will visit Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park before returning to Windsor.

Day 3

Windsor - Australiana Pioneer Village
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour at Australiana Pioneer Village. Experience an authentic 1810 village streetscape including bank, police station, shearing shed and more. With thousands of antiques, artefacts, machinery and vehicles on display, you can explore life as it used to be. There will be time to purchase your own lunch from one of the cafes while here. This afternoon return to Windsor with time to freshen up before dinner.

Day 4

Hawkesbury Paddlewheeler and Regional Museum
This morning a local guide will join us for a guided tour of the Windsor area before we board the Hawkesbury paddlewheeler. Meander along the tranquil Hawkesbury River and enjoy lunch on board. Later, visit the Hawkesbury Regional Museum where you will find some rare items on display that have a unique association to the area.

Day 5

Blue Mountains
After breakfast, our journey takes us along the very scenic Bells Line of Road which travels from the Hawkesbury area up into the Blue Mountains. There are lots of orchards in this region known as Sydney's fruit bowl. With apples being a primary crop in the area, we will stop at Bilpin Cider Company to try some of their delicious treats during morning tea. Continue on to Mt Tomah for a visit to the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens, Australia's highest cool-climate botanic garden, covering 28 hectares nestled among alpine rainforest and the Blue Mountains. Enjoy lunch at a local venue before returning to Windsor.

Day 6

Windsor - Penrith - Home
This morning, we farewell our hosts and travel to Penrith for a visit to the Museum of Fire. The museum is home to Australia's largest collection of Fire Brigade vehicles and a vast display of objects, equipment and memorabilia, which is sure to take you back in time and highlight the fascinating world of fire and firefighting. Enjoy lunch in a local club before making our way to Sydney Airport where our Queensland passengers will board their flight back to Brisbane and our NSW passengers will continue back to The Hunter.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner