Hawkesbury Valley
Historic river towns and Australia's oldest settlements
The Hawkesbury is one of Australia's oldest settled regions outside of Sydney Cove. Windsor and Richmond have colonial architecture dating to the 1800s, and the river itself — the Dyarubbin — is genuinely beautiful. Less crowded than the Blue Mountains, more authentically Australian.
Highlights
- →Windsor — oldest surviving inn in Australia (1815)
- →Thompson Square Windsor — colonial heritage
- →Hawkesbury River kayaking and river cruises
- →Nepean Belle paddlewheeler
- →Self-guided audio walks along the Dyarubbin
- →Kurrajong Heights lookout
Where to Eat
- The Dining Room at The Sebel Windsor
- Settlers Arms Inn
Where to Stay
- The Sebel Windsor
Getting There
Drive via Richmond Road or Windsor Road from Penrith.
Full transport guide from WSA →Best Time to Go
Autumn and spring. River mist in the mornings is beautiful.
Compare Car Rentals
Driving yourself gives you flexibility — especially for places like the Hunter Valley and Southern Highlands.
Compare car rentalsBooking note
Nepean Belle cruises book out on weekends — book ahead.
Flying in to WSI Airport? This is 45-60 min from Western Sydney International Airport (WSA) — easy to reach by car or rideshare straight from the terminal.
Book a Tour
2 options across Viator, GetYourGuide and Klook — sorted by most reviewed.
Pearl & Oyster Farm Hawkesbury River Cruise
Driving yourself to Hawkesbury Valley? Compare car rentals from Sydney Airport for the most flexibility.
Free cancellation on most bookings. 365-day price tracking via Discover Cars.