Hawkesbury River, NSW, Australia: Discover the natural beauty of a river that is etched in Australian history. Along its 120km length, the Hawkesbury River meanders through beautiful National Parks and towering sandstone cliffs. With an abundance of incredible wildlife and scenery to match, the Hawkesbury River is the perfect destination for a paddling adventure.



The Hawkesbury River, known as Deerubbun to indigenous Australians, was primarily used to transport goods during the European settlement. Today, the River is enjoyed by many and boasts an array of water activities including waterskiing, wakeboarding, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and of course, Stand Up Paddle boarding.

*Read Trip Preparation before commencing any journey as it contains valuable information about planning your paddle



WHERE

• Nearest Major City: Sydney, NSW

The Hawkesbury River is located in the Sydney region of NSW, 47km / 29miles NW of Sydney CBD

ROUTE

• Windsor to Wisemans Ferry

DISTANCE

• 64km / 40miles

TIME / DAYS

• 4 days

ACCOMMODATION

• Riverside Oaks Golf Resort, Cattai

• Jerimuda Bed & Breakfast, Lower Portland

• Cliftonville Lodge Resort, Lower Portland

TRANSPORT

• Drive to Wisemans Ferry which is 1½ hours from Sydney by car

• Public Transport: Bus

Departs Wisemans Ferry to Windsor (Kable Street), with a bus change at Pitt Town Bottom

*Busways offer this schedule during school days only and timetables can be found at busways.com

*Alternatively, if you have the option of two cars, leave one at Wisemans Ferry and drive the other to Windsor to begin



DAY 1

* Arrive at Wisemans Ferry, park your car, then board the bus into Windsor

ROUTE

• Windsor to Riverside Oaks Golf Resort

DISTANCE

• 16km / 10miles

ACCESS SITES

• Windsor Wharf, Old Bridge St, Windsor

• Boat Ramp, Riverside Oaks Golf Resort

ACCOMMODATION

• Riverside Oaks Golf Resort

NOTES

• To find the boat ramp access at Riverside Oaks Golf Resort, be on the lookout for Merrymount (sandstone ruins) on top of the hill on the right riverbank

*Check GPS for 16km reading

• Be sure to visit Ebenezer Church for an afternoon tea break to enjoy a serving of devonshire tea and scones. The Church is Australia’s oldest operational church. (check opening times)

*Access to Ebenezer Church is on the lefthand side riverbank via a small sandy beach landing. This beach is situated after two red marker buoys. You can see Merrymount from here, so it is close by the golf resort

* Check GPS for 14km reading

DAY 2

ROUTE

• Riverside Oaks Golf Resort to Jerimuda Bed & Breakfast

DISTANCE

• 18km / 11miles

ACCESS SITES

• Boat Ramp, Riverside Oaks Golf Resort

• Boat Ramp, Jerimuda Bed & Breakfast

ACCOMMODATION

• Jerimuda Bed & Breakfast

NOTES

• Make sure to check out Merrymount (sandstone building) on the golf course before starting. Built by George Smith Hall, one of the First Settlers’ son’s in 1826

• Remember, there is a ferry crossing at Sackville, so keep your distance



DAY 3

ROUTE

• Jerimuda Bed & Breakfast to Cliftonville Lodge Resort

DISTANCE

• 17km / 10.5miles

ACCESS SITES

• Boat Ramp, Jerimuda Bed & Breakfast

• Boat Ramp, Cliftonville Lodge Resort

ACCOMMODATION

• Cliftonville Lodge Resort

NOTES

• The sunrise at Jerimuda Bed & Breakfast is one not to miss, get up early!

• Remember, there is a ferry crossing at Lower Portland, so keep your distance

• Stop off at Paradise Cafe for lunch

*Located after ferry crossing at Lower Portland on the confluence of the Colo and Hawkesbury rivers



DAY 4

ROUTE

• Cliftonville Lodge Resort to Wisemans Ferry

DISTANCE

• 13km / 8miles

ACCESS SITES

• Boat Ramp, Cliftonville Lodge Resort

• Sandy beach, Wisemans Ferry

NOTES

• Remember, there is a ferry crossing at Wisemans Ferry, so keep your distance

• Access at Wisemans Ferry is just before the second ferry crossing on the sandy beach