City of Hawkesbury

The City of Hawkesbury is actually a large semi-rural area to the north west of Sydney. Some of Australia's oldest colonial settlements are to be found here, and have remained underdeveloped in the years since. In recent years the outward development of Sydney's suburbs have reached the area, and it could now be considered part of Sydney proper.

The Windsor area represents the third-oldest area of European settlement in New South Wales (after Sydney and Parramatta). Originally known as "Green Hills", settlers first arrived here in 1791. The town itself was inaugurated in a drive by Governor Macquarie to build cities worthy of the thriving new colony - it was named after Windsor in England, site of a royal castle.

Windsor can make an interesting trip into Sydney's history, well off the beaten path for most visitors. You can find graveyards and sandstone among the car-yards and supermarkets.

The town of Richmond was first settled by Europeans in 1794 to set up farms and feed the new colony of Sydney.

Kurrajong is further to the north in the area, a very rural town that acts as an entrance to the Blue Mountains.

• 🌍 Peninsula House, Tebbutt's Observatory, Palmer Street, Windsor, NSW 2756. (updated Nov 2016)
• Windsor Town. Many 19th century buildings, including the Macquarie Arms Hotel, St Matthew's Church and Windsor Court House. (updated Nov 2016)
• 🌍 The Australiana Pioneer Village, 10 Rose St, Wilberforce NSW 2756, ☎ +61 438 751 775. 10:00 - 16:00 (Sundays and Bank holiday Mondays only). Collection of historical buildings from the era. Run by volunteers on Sundays. Featuring rides on historical equipment, historical tours of the buildings and animals. $5 Adults, $3 Children. (updated Oct 2018)

• Trees Adventure - Grose River Park, 200 Springwood Rd, Yarramundi (Located 20min from Penrith at the confluence of the Nepean and Grose River), ☎ +61 2 4776 1226, e-mail: groseriverpark@treesadventure.com.au. M–Su 9am–5pm. Soar through the treetops at the foothills of The Blue Mountains on an array of flying foxes, tight ropes and tunnels. Arrive 30 minutes prior to the time you book so you have enough time to get ready. All of the treetop platforms are built on more than 70 Sydney Blue Gums (eucalyptus saligna), which borders both sides of the river. $48 Adults $43 Concession $38 Child $25 Kids. (updated Jul 2018)

• Windsor Motor Inn, 54 George Street, Windsor NSW 2756, ☎ +61 2 4577 3626, fax: +61 24577 2708. A budget hotel offering comfortable accommodations conveniently situated in the heart of historic Windsor. Best rates on official website start at AU$72. 
• The Sebel Resort & Spa Hawkesbury Valley, 61 Hawkesbury Valley Way, ☎ +61 2 4577 4222. Hawkesbury accommodation located 45 minutes from Sydney and only 50 minutes from Sydney airport. Windsor hotel offering contemporary accommodation and home to the largest day spa in the Sydney region, Villa Thalgo. 
• 🌍 Macquarie Arms Hotel, 99 George St, Windsor, ☎ +61 2 4577 2206, e-mail: info@macquariearms.com.au. Heritage-listed hotel and pub on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. (updated Jan 2019)

• The Blue Mountains to the east
• The Wollemi National Park to the north east
• Wisemans Ferry to the north west