Hawkesbury River and Windsor

Day 1

Brisbane - Armidale
Travel west along the Cunningham Highway through Warwick before visiting Ballandean Estate in Stanthorpe. Continue across the border into NSW stopping in Tenterfield for lunch and this afternoon, journey via Glen Innes and on to Armidale, checking in for our overnight stay.

Day 2

Armidale - Hunter - Windsor
Today our journey takes us south through the New England countryside via Tamworth and on to the heart of coal mining and horse breeding country. Stop for lunch in Muswellbrook before making our way via the Hunter, where our New South Wales passengers will join us. Continue on via Hornsby to Windsor before settling into our accommodation for the next five nights.

Day 3

Hawkesbury Cruise - Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Travel to Brooklyn this morning and board our Seven Islands of the Hawkesbury cruise. 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) and find out how it ended up lying at the bottom of the cliff! As we cruise waterway, listen to the commentary from our skipper who has spent the past 25 years cruising these magnificent waters and enjoy morning tea and lunch onboard. This afternoon, complete our day with a visit to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park to view the mouth of the Hawkesbury River.

Day 4

Windsor - Wilberforce
This morning, stop at the local Art and Craft Market held in Windsor Mall, before visiting the Australiana Pioneer Village to experience an authentic 1810 village streetscape including bank, police station, shearing shed and more. Take time to purchase your own lunch before continuing on to Wilberforce and Ebenezer, to see the oldest existing Church in Australia and Tizzana Winery, one of Australia's oldest family-owned wineries, before returning to Windsor.

Day 5

Richmond - Windsor
After breakfast, discover some of the history behind the Richmond and Windsor area during our visit to the Hawkesbury Visitor Information Centre. From here, we'll make our way to the Hawkesbury Regional Museum where there are some rare items on display that have a unique association to the area. This afternoon, enjoy lunch at the oldest pub on Australia's mainland before a visit to Pitt Town and the Hawkesbury Regional Art Gallery.

Day 6

Penrith - Nepean Belle - Hawkesbury
Travel to Penrith for a visit to the Museum of Fire, where most of the guides are serving or retired firefighters. We then board the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for a luncheon cruise, taking in the panoramic views as you meander through the spectacular Nepean Gorge. This afternoon, stop at the Hawkesbury Lookout offering scenic views over the Nepean River and Cumberland Plain.

Day 7

Windsor - Home
It's time to farewell our hosts and to make our way via the scenic Putty Road, arriving in Pokolbin for lunch. We then make our way to Newcastle Airport where our Queensland passengers will board a flight to Brisbane and our Hunter passengers will be transferred home.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner