Hawkesbury River

The Hawkesbury River to the north of Sydney, one of the most beautiful rivers in Australia, played an important part in the early days of the colony of New South Wales. The first settlers arrived in the area in 1794, establishing farms which contributed to the survival of the colony, threatened with starvation by the shortage of food. In 1810 Governor Macquarie ordered the foundation of five towns in the upper Hawkesbury valley which became known as the 'Macquarie towns' - Windsor, Richmond, Castlereagh, Wilberforce and Pitt Town - which have preserved many historic old buildings.

The surrounding area is still farming country, and the river is flanked for considerable distances by unspoiled woodland and bush.

The Hawkesbury River offers excellent facilities for water sports, particularly in its lower reaches between Brooklyn and Pittwater, where it becomes very wide. The best way of seeing it is by boat, and boats of all sizes can be hired in Brooklyn, near the Hawkesbury River Bridge, and also at Bobbin Head, Berowra Waters and Wisemans Ferry.