Satisfy your cravings for farm-fresh produce and gourmet eats, outdoor adventures and all-inclusive retreats in the historic Hawkesbury region of New South Wales, less than an hour’s drive northwest of Sydney.
Spend your days seeking out quaint villages, flourishing orchards, heritage trails, mountains and national parks, and, of course, the meandering Hawkesbury River. Or, ease into a leisurely exploration of the history-steeped towns of Windsor and Richmond, the mountain villages of Kurrajong and Bilpin, and the riverside hamlet of Wisemans Ferry.
Taste the country goodness
Connect with local producers and talented chefs as you indulge in the Hawkesbury’s bountiful harvest at roadside stalls, riverside sheds and historic cottage restaurants. Relish your newfound confidence in the kitchen after learning from some of the best in the business in cooking classes at acclaimed Bondi chef Sean Moran’s Bilpin Springs Farm. Surrender to indulgence with an intimate homestay in the farm’s main house on the Bells Line of Road in Bilpin, or count your blessings if your visit coincides with one of the occasional bespoke culinary events.
Savour atmospheric fine dining in the foothills of the Blue Mountains at Lochiel House, an 1825 cottage in Kurrajong Heights, feasting on regional produce in the beautiful courtyard garden or by the open fire indoors.
Make a memorable game of gathering your own bounty of produce on the Hawkesbury Harvest Farm Gate Trail. Imagine you’re a farmer for an afternoon and pluck crisp apples, peaches and nectarines straight from the branches on pick-your-own fruit adventures in the region’s many orchards, or simply stock up at farmgate stalls. Reward yourself for your efforts with cider tastings at Bilpin Cider or Hillbilly Cider, or sample wines at Tizzana Winery.
Recharge with real-fruit ice-cream and apple pies at Tutti Fruitti in Kurrajong Heights. The roadside landmark, a 40-minute drive from Windsor, has been a favourite stop on the foodie trail for around two decades. Or, treat yourself to an afternoon cocktail or a curated spirit tasting flight at Karu Distillery's recently opened onsite bar - House of Spirits.
Shields Orchard, Bilpin Credit: Destination NSW
Young girls enjoying a day of apple picking at Shields Orchard, Bilpin.
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Shields Orchard, Bilpin Credit: Destination NSW
Young girls enjoying a day of apple picking at Shields Orchard, Bilpin.
Cooks Co-op, Sackville Credit: Destination NSW
Woman enjoying scenic views across the Hawkesbury River from the Cooks Co-Op lookout, Sackville.
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Cooks Co-op, Sackville Credit: Destination NSW
Woman enjoying scenic views across the Hawkesbury River from the Cooks Co-Op lookout, Sackville.
Wonder at a bygone era
Recreate a lost world of river cruising on The Hawkesbury Paddlewheeler, which harks back to the 1800s, when sailing ships and steamboats navigated the waterway. Revel in a sense of discovery as the river’s inlets and small beaches reveal themselves from the vantage point of a kayak from Hawkesbury River Kayaks.
Gain fascinating insights into harsher times on the Old Great North Road, one of just 11 Australian Convict Sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Let your imagination roam free as you learn, via the Convict Road app, about the hardships of the convict workers who carved out the road as you hike the 9km trail overlooking the Hawkesbury River in the rugged bushland of Dharug National Park.
Indulge your sense of adventure as you swing, leap, climb and fly among the eucalyptus trees on the 10 courses, 110 challenges and nearly 20 zip lines at Trees Adventure Grose River Park. Relish the looks on your children’s faces as they explore the farmyard and all its friendly chooks, cows, sheep and horses on special event days at Rouse Hill Estate.
Revitalise with a longer stay
Restore your energy levels for another day exploring the region with a history-filled stay at The Chapel – Ebenezer by James Rose Unique Accommodation, nestled in the beautiful gardens of a historic farmhouse estate.
Rekindle your romance with a luxury getaway at eco-certified Spicers Sangoma Retreat. An idyllic distraction from your busy life, the all-inclusive resort is hidden away in the lower reaches of the Blue Mountains. Or get your grown-up thrills at Blueberry Hills on Comleroy, a children-free boutique retreat with guesthouse rooms and cottages on a blueberry farm at the foothills of the mountains in Kurrajong.
Delight the kids as they hunt for yabbies in the dam, paddle canoes and meet all the farm animals at Bilpin Country Lodge, set on four serene hectares of gardens, farm and bushland. Share an adventure with your extended family or friends at Hawkesbury River Kayaks’s four-bedroom Riverbend Cottage, which you can only reached by kayak.
Or rejuvenate and recharge at Billabong Retreat at Maraylya, a 20-minute drive east of Windsor. Be nourished with organic whole food and truly unwind with yoga, mindfulness and meditation at this eco-retreat. Supercharge your recovery with a deep sleep in one of the retreat’s deluxe cabins, treehouse ensuite rooms or lodge and cottage rooms with shared bathrooms.
Hawkesbury River Credit: Destination NSW
Hawkesbury River. This is the high res copy of this image.
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Hawkesbury River Credit: Destination NSW
Hawkesbury River. This is the high res copy of this image.
Spicers Sangoma Retreat, Bowen Mountain Credit: Destination NSW
Woman relaxing in the bath with views at Spicers Sangoma Retreat, Bowen Mountain.
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Spicers Sangoma Retreat, Bowen Mountain Credit: Destination NSW
Woman relaxing in the bath with views at Spicers Sangoma Retreat, Bowen Mountain.
Blue Pool, BermaguiCredit: Destination NSW
The scenic Blue Pool on the Bermagui coastline.
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You’ll find spectacular ocean pools dotted along the southern coastline of New South Wales. These handmade pools, fed by the ocean’s waves, are often built into the rocks near beautiful sandy beaches, can be hidden away along the coastline and are enjoyed mostly by locals. Ocean pools are great for kids learning how to swim, lap swimming and for a dip on the days when the waves are a little too big for your liking. Here’s where to find an ocean pool on the coast south of Sydney.
In the Illawarra
You’ll find many spectacular ocean pools in the Illawarra area, from south of the Royal National Park all the way through to the popular seaside town of Kiama. These include lovely pools at Coledale, Bulli, Towradgi, Port Kembla and North Wollongong.
Take the road through the Royal National Park to Stanwell Park and onto Coalcliff Beach, where the ocean pool is set against a dramatic backdrop of the escarpment.
Nuns Pool, at Flagstaff Point in Wollongong, is one of the oldest in the state, dating back to the 1830s. (The title of oldest ocean pool goes to the Bogey Hole in Newcastle, north of Sydney. It was built by convicts in 1819.) Located below the lighthouse, the Nuns Pool (formerly known as Chain Baths and used by the nuns of St Mary’s convent) sits in a small, sheltered cove and is accessed via a narrow path chiselled into the sandstone.
Further south at Kiama, the Blowhole Point Ocean Pool offers a safe swimming spot near the area’s famous blowhole, the largest in the world, on a headland near the town centre. This beautiful, hand-cut pool is an irregular shape and has a varied depth and rock bottom – it was also once a men-only bath. You can also take the 15-minute walk around Kiama Harbour from the blowhole to Black Beach Reserve. Here you can do 50-metre laps in the Olympic-size Continental Ocean Pool.
A 15-minute drive south of Kiama is the tiny coastal town of Gerringong. Head down to Gerringong’s Werri Beach for a swim at Ourie Ocean Pool, at the southern end of the beach. This rectangular pool, carved into a flat rock shelf, has a smooth concrete bottom and is perfect for a summer’s day dip.
Bulli Rockpool, Bulli Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over Bulli Rockpool, Bulli.
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Bulli Rockpool, Bulli Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over Bulli Rockpool, Bulli.
Ourie Pool, Gerringong Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic aerial over Ourie Pool off Werri Beach, Gerringong.
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Ourie Pool, Gerringong Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic aerial over Ourie Pool off Werri Beach, Gerringong.
From the Illawarra to the Shoalhaven
Drive an hour further south into the Shoalhaven region and seek out Huskisson Sea Pool at Huskisson. This coastal town has a rich shipbuilding heritage, which you can explore at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum after your swim.
A 45-minute drive south of Huskisson brings you to Mollymook, where you’ll find the South Coast’s famous Bogey Hole, a natural rock pool on the headland south of the beach. There’s also a lovely ocean pool at Ulladulla, a five-minute drive further down the coast.
On the Sapphire Coast
One of the state’s most famous ocean pools is found at Bermagui, a little over five hours by car from Sydney, on the Sapphire Coast. Bermagui’s Blue Pool is revered as one of the prettiest, filled with azure-hued water fading to turquoise and green. At 50 metres long it makes for a great lap-swimming pool and there’s also a shallow wading pool, ideal for kids, just next to the pool.
One of the southernmost ocean pools on the NSW coastline is the Aslings Beach Rock Pool, a hidden gem carved into the pink-and-white cliffs at Aslings Beach in Eden, a six-hour drive from Sydney. It’s only a short walk from town, but its low profile makes it hard to spot from further down the beach. Make your way over the rocks from the beach and take a dip at low tide before the waves have a chance to deposit any seaweed.
Blue Pool, Bermagui Credit: Destination NSW
The picturesque Blue Pool situated along the Bermagui coastline.
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Blue Pool, Bermagui Credit: Destination NSW
The picturesque Blue Pool situated along the Bermagui coastline.
Aslings Beach Rock Pool, Eden Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Aslings Beach Rock Pool in Eden.
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Aslings Beach Rock Pool, Eden Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Aslings Beach Rock Pool in Eden.