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Sydney's holiday playground is the Hawkesbury River .
Discover the region for yourself,
when next you visit Australia's largest and most visited city.
Though the Hawkesbury River is on Sydney's doorstep, ( just 45
minutes drive from the City Centre) you can still experience the serenity of
bygone days in its secluded river settlements set in the world's most beautiful
and varied waterways.
Lion Island rising 93 meters above sea level is just off Palm
Beach and lies guard to the entrance of Broken Bay at the mouth of the mighty
Hawkesbury River.
From crystal clear ocean swells to its tranquil upper reaches
the Hawkesbury River offers a cruising ground of outstanding scenic and historic
interest. Sandy beaches fringe the surrounding Hawkesbury Sandstone National
Parks beckoning bushwalks and picnics ashore. Waterfront restaurants,
houses on the water's edge, fishing, touring and holidaying, these are what the
river is well known for.
The Dream Time lives in the sandstone gorges and waters
of 'Deerubbun'.
(The aboriginal name for the Hawkesbury River is 'Deerubbun'.)
The Ku Ring Gui and Dharug aboriginal tribes who inhabited the
river region for many thousands of years treasured the local seafood especially
our world famous rock oysters. The rockart, engraving sites and the tribal names
preserved in the identity of the many National Parks surrounding the Hawkesbury
River link the Dream Time with the present.
Surrounded by National Parks of 200 million year old rugged
Hawkesbury Sandstone, dotted with secluded river communities, 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. Spend a peaceful overnight anchorage in a hired boat or a waterfront house
and wake up to the call of Kookaburras, Whip Birds, Sea Eagles and the lapping
of the tides. Wild flowers bloom in the surrounding National Parks that range
from rainforests and mangroves to drier open woodlands creating habitats for
diverse bird and animal populations.
Though the Hawkesbury River is known for its tranquillity, twice
a year the world renown water ski and jet boat races known simply as the 'Bridge
to Bridge' shatter the piece in spectacular fashion. These events held in
November and May each year attract contestants from all over the world to
compete in these grouling races that start from the Hawkesbury River Bridge
Brooklyn and finish at the Hawkesbury River Bridge Windsor some 110
kilometres upriver. Adding to the excitement on the water, spectators are
treated to the skills of helicopter pilots vying for the best vantage position
to film the race for the world media. Other events include the Canoe Classic
and numerous fairs and festivals held in the numerous townships along the
river including Brooklyn, Berowra, Cottage Point, Spencer, Wisemans Ferry, St
Albans, Windsor and Richmond
Set in the Ku Ring Gai National Park, Brooklyn Village is
just 45min. drive through Sydney's leafy northern suburbs and is the gateway to
the lower Hawkesbury River and Broken Bay. Brooklyn is an ideal departure
point to explore these waterways, where you can take a tour or hire a boat and
explore islands, swim in secluded sandy beaches or fish for your favourite seafoods.
Renown as one of Australia's most scenic railway journeys,
the trip on Sydney's northern railway line to the Hawkesbury River Railway
Station, Brooklyn takes 55min. with frequent daily services.
Coach tour companies pickup tourists from their Sydney hotels
daily, drive yourself along the scenic Pacific Highway or take in the sights on
a Seaplane flight from Rose Bay along
Sydney's northern beaches to the Hawkesbury River.
HAWKESBURY WATERWAYS TOURISM
Hawkesbury Expeditions
& Charters.
Ph;
0403 867 645
Email:
tony@island.net.au
Hawkesbury River Tourist Information Centre
5 Bridge Street
Brooklyn 2083
Ph:
02 99857064
Email:
hawkesburyriver@ozemail.com.au
Open 7 Days.
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