Our other visitors guides

2019 Exhibition Schedule
Level 1, Deerubbin Centre, 300 George Street, Windsor
02 4560 4441
Michael Dingley: Innervisions
Through 21 July 2019
This exhibition explores the unique perspective of the microscopical world in which we live, but rarely consider
What We Have To Say
26 July–8 September 2019
Exploring creativity and the feminine perspective. Narrative, ideas, dialogue and aesthetic expression of women artists in contemporary Australia
Hawkesbury Art Fair 2019
13 September–13 October 2019
A selection of works from local art groups and artists
Porosity Kabari
18 October–8 December 2019
Made from materials and crafts-manship sourced solely from thieves’ market and junk markets in India.
The full calendar
Hawkesbury Regional Museum
8 Baker Street, Windsor
02 4560 4655
Food Bowl Farming
Current exhibition through 2019
explores the rich migrant farming history of the Hawkesbury area
JULY
6–7 July 2019
Hawkesbury Show Ground
Jousting, battles, free-fly raptors, a medieval village, roving entertainers, family-friendly
Free parking onsite
The Australiana
Pioneer Village
9–17 July 2019, 10am
Science & Nature
AUGUST
24–25 August 2019, 10am–4pm
A 2-day opportunity to visit artists and artisans in their studios. Much talent in the Hawkesbury. Don’t overlook the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery in Windsor
Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens Daffodil Festival, Mount Tomah
24 August–1 September 2019
75 daffodil cultivars at the Garden as well as the Daffodil Discovery Walk and the Growing Bulbs workshop.
A sight to behold – paths of yellow.
Free parking
SEPTEMBER
14–15 September 2019
Governor Phillip Park, Windsor
All competitions are in Windsor. Bring a blanket and a hamper
> Garden Movie Night: Cinema Under The Stars
21 September 2019
5.30pm – Peter Rabbit (PG 1.5hrs)
7.30pm – The Godfather (R 2h 55m): Pack a picnic, bring a blanket or chairs and a coat. Some food and drink available for purchase at Kiosk.
OCTOBER
26–27 October 2019
Kicks off at Windsor – 111 kilometres down the Hawkesbury.
Each year participants paddle overnight to raise money for Arrow – The Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation. Fantastic event
2020
25–27 April 2020
Three days of terrific music. With exception of Guide Dogs, no dogs allowed
1–3 May 2020
Hawkesbury Show Ground, Clarendon
02 4577 3591
Showjumping, polocrosse, precision driving. Cooking exhibitions, food and wine vendors
Free parking onsite
Winterfest Sydney Medieval Fair
4–5 July 2020
Hawkesbury Show Ground
Jousting, battles, free-fly raptors, a medieval village, roving entertainers, family-friendly
Free parking onsite
MARKETS
Sat 8am–1pm
Richmond Park
Windsor Mall
Sunday Markets
Sun 9am–3pm
Windsor Mall
WHAT'S ON IN THE HAWKESBURY AND THE HILLS
HAWKESBURY WHAT'S ON!
With the fires throughout the Hawksbury, we find it difficult to write about anything. Topics have seemed somewhat frivilous. While Canberra is now suffering and we think often of those affected, traditional life is returning to the Hawkesbury. This week, 7 February, the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery opens an unusual exhibition. Reflections of Mabo
ESCAPISM MAY BE JUST WHAT YOU NEED! AUTHOR CHRIS ALLEN will discuss his Intrepid Series thrillers and action packed on Monday, February 10, 6 - 7:30pm. Hawkesbury Regional Library. Allen's series is soon to be among NETFLIX streaming offerings. Thrilling series soon to be on Netflix
HAWKESBURY VISITOR CENTRE, CLARENDON (02 4560 4620) Staff are a wealth of knowledge. Drop by for all Hawkesbury information. Books, maps, brochures and guides. 9-5pm Monday - Friday; Saturday & Sunday 9 - 4pm
HAWKESBURY REGIONAL LIBRARY Film showings are free! 12 Dec our favourite A Christmas Story is on. This family Christmas comedy highlights a saavy 9 year old boy scheming to get the desired Christmas gift. Bring snacks if you wish. Coffee & tea provided. 10am & 6pm showings.
FROM PURPLE NOON GALLERY: WE HAVE A NEW WEBSITE and a special introductory offer: Check out the new website
Artists Gallery in Wisemans Ferry. Located in the centre of Wisemans Village, this exhibition is all about affordable art. 8x8 canvasses will be priced at $80. Throughout the year the gallery exhibits a wide array of art: sculpture and iron art, paintings, textiles and cloth art -- all providing the unique impressions of the natural surroundings of The Hawkesbury River. See more of the art
ON-GOING ACTIVITIES
HAWKESBURY REGIONAL GALLERY: ART AND DEMENTIA TOURS ON THIRD THUESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 11AM. Bookings are essential. These workshops are designed for those living with Dementia and for their carers. Facilitated by gallery staff (specially trained by Alzheimer's Australia) the experience offers an enriching program. Bookings 02 4560 4418.
get up, get out & go...
From the editor
Get up, get out & get away from peak hour traffic, from suburban living, from life online, life lived through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter…
When we travel, we depend upon Google or Apple maps and the computerised voice of our GPS companion. Neither, however, are as comforting as the voices of experience from the talented team at Hawkesbury Visitor Information Centre on Hawkesbury Valley Way between Windsor and Richmond.
Days of autumn can be seen along Castlereagh Road from the edge of Penrith to Richmond. Red and gold foliage light old Castlereagh Road. Horse country borders the road: sprawling estates with elegant stables, fences and lush green lawns – even in autumn. And in the distance, a landscape framed by the beautiful Blue Mountains.
Elsewhere in the bucolic hills of Freemans Reach, the sandstone Purple Noon Gallery faces a clever garden of bronze and sandstone sculpture where welded steel poppies stand tall and metal agapanthus are planted strangely in a large cycad (palm). Aboriginal art hangs serenely on a wall. A sudden spring downpour strikes the gallery’s metal roof, sounding like a staccato beat of falling gum nuts.
Along Wisemans Ferry Road, Maroota and Cattai are isolated and Pitt Town, once serene, is now a residential bedroom of large homes. Meanwhile, the colonial farmsteads of Rouse Hill House & Farm and Bella Vista Farm stand tall on Windsor Road, and produce stands along country roads throughout the Hawkesbury are evidence of the region’s bounty harvested from the rich black soil and softly undulating hills.
Backroads are leafy and often Mother Nature’s dramatic scenes surprise us: majestic sandstone cliffs jut over Wisemans Ferry, towering rhododendron bloom in botanic gardens, apple-loaded trees grow in Bilpin and dark lagoons bloated with lily pads are surrounded by grapevines at Ebenezer.
Lifeblood and aquatic highways for millennia, the mighty Hawkesbury, Grose and Colo rivers, all swollen and fierce after heavy rains, are all within your reach. Big boats, little ferries, kayaks and canoes bob along the tranquil waters, while low bridges span the waterways from Brooklyn to Windsor. The heritage Great North Road sweeps up a steep incline as it wends its way past historic houses, distillers and vintners and charming art galleries in places with unusual names like Ebenezer, Wilberforce, Kurrajong, Freemans Reach, Maroota, St Albans and Bilpin.
The Hawkesbury, where nature’s deception (or perhaps its magic) hoodwinks the eye and low-hanging grey clouds attach to lush green hills. Farms, wineries, villages, cool gardens and sandstone walls, and through it all, a river.
Get away from the daily grind: surrender to the delights of The Hawkesbury.
Our short list of memorable trips:
- Autumn Harvest Festival at Rouse Hill House
- Bushwalks and trekking in the national parks
- Kayaking and canoeing at Yarramundi Reserve
- Sunday markets in Windsor Mall
- Apple picking at Bilpin
- Historic pub bistro at Wisemans Inn Hotel
- Cellar door tasting Thirsty Third Sundays at Bilpin Cider
- Trees Adventure, Grose River Park, Yarramundi
- Exhibitions & talks at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery + Regional Museum
- Wine tasting at Ebenezer
- Cool-climate gardens at Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah