Windsor

Old General Store, Kirstie Laffin / Explore Australia Publishing

Population 1899

Windsor, located on a high bank of the Hawkesbury River, is the third oldest European settlement on mainland Australia, after Sydney Cove and Parramatta. There are still many old buildings standing and the surrounding national parks make for breathtaking scenery.

Visitor Information

Hawkesbury Visitor Information Centre, Ham Common, Hawkesbury Valley Way, Clarendon; (02) 4578 0233 or 1300 362 874

www.hawkesburytourism.com.au

Nearby national parks

  • Cattai National Park

    At Cattai National Park, near Windsor, traditional parkland and dense natural bush provide ample opportunity for walking, picnicking and...more

  • Blue Mountains National Park

    Blue Mountains National Park presents an astounding and unique landscape to its millions of visitors. The terrain ripples and folds, a world...more

  • Wollemi National Park

    Wollemi National Park, the second largest national park in the state and its largest wilderness area, is a primeval landscape of precipitous...more

Nearby towns

  • Richmond NSW

    Richmond provides a peaceful country atmosphere on the Hawkesbury River, but is close enough to Sydney to enjoy the best of both worlds....more

  • Glenbrook

    Glenbrook is a picturesque village on the edge of the Blue Mountains. It was originally known as Watertank because it was used for the...more

  • Wisemans Ferry

    Wisemans Ferry is a sleepy town built around what was once an important crossing on the Hawkesbury River. The mainland route from Sydney...more

In Town

Hawkesbury Regional Museum Built as a home in the 1820s, the building became the Daniel O'Connell Inn in 1843. In the late 1800s it was used to print The Australian, a weekly newspaper. Today it houses the history of the local area in photographs, documents and artefacts, with special displays on riverboat history and the Richmond Royal Australian Air Force base. Thompson Sq.

Hawkesbury Regional Gallery: displays contemporary and traditional works by national and international artists; George St. St Matthew's Church: designed by convict architect Francis Greenway and built in 1817, St Matthews is the oldest Anglican church in the country. The adjacent graveyard dates back to 1810 and contains the graves of some of the First Fleet pioneers; Moses St. Self-guide tourist walk/drive: historic sites include the original courthouse and doctor's house; brochure from visitor centre.

Nearby

Cattai National Park First Fleet assistant surgeon Thomas Arndell was granted this land and today the park features his 1821 cottage. There are also grain silos and the ruins of a windmill believed to be the oldest industrial building in the country. The old farm features attractive picnic and barbecue areas and campsites. In a separate section nearby, Mitchell Park offers walking tracks and canoeing on Cattai Creek. 14 km NE.Ebenezer: picturesque town with Australia's oldest church (1809), colonial graveyard and schoolhouse; 11 km N. Wollemi National Park: Windsor section features the spectacular Colo River and activities including abseiling, canoeing (bring your own), bushwalking and 4WD touring; via Colo; 26 km N.

Fishing spots near town

Hawkesbury-Nepean River 41 km

The Hawkesbury River is regarded as one of the most consistent waters for big mulloway, or jewfish as they are called. It was with mulloway in mind that I went to the river to fish with Colin Tannahill. The river flows... Find out more


Botany Bay 55 km

Recently I fished a hot-water outlet alongside the Kurnell refinery pier in Botany Bay, a few hundred metres from a monument dedicated to Captain James Cook’s landing in Australia in April 1770. A year before,... Find out more


Port Hacking 58 km

In my youth, bream was a species anglers sought to put food on the table. It was a ‘kill it and fillet’ favourite. Both yellowfin and black bream fought well, but the sedentary nature of bait fishing –... Find out more


Lithgow to Mudgee 72 km

Early settlers following in the footsteps of Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson took three weeks of hard trudging to cross the majestic Blue Mountains. These days the drive from the Penrith plains in western Sydney takes... Find out more


Port Stephens 157 km

 Port Stephens is about 220 km north of Sydney and offers a mixed bag of quality species. In the estuaries, bream, flathead, mulloway and whiting dominate the catch while beach anglers do well on tailor, whiting and... Find out more


Eco-friendly activities around town

The Great North Walk 29 km

Although it links two of Australia’s most populated cities, Sydney and Newcastle, and passes through some beautiful bushland, the Great North Walk does not get the foot traffic you might expect. A 250-kilometre,... Find out more


Bushwalking in and around Sydney 36 km

Surprisingly, Sydney does offer some superb bushwalking through secluded bushland. Aboriginal engraving and art sites are quite common, and many are not publicised, simply leaving you to discover them, appreciate them,... Find out more


Picnicking in the Blue Mountains 37 km

Take a picnic up to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah at any time of year and you will not be disappointed. At 1000 metres above sea level, it is usually cool in summer, brimming with flowers in spring,... Find out more


Kayaking in Sydney 46 km

Surprisingly, this activity has only taken off in Sydney in the past few years. With a city centred on such great waterways, there is plenty to explore, whether just for an hour or two, or a whole week. Sydney Harbour... Find out more


Taronga Zoo 47 km

One of the world’s best zoos, Taronga is involved in a wide variety of threatened species recovery operations, wildlife rehabilitation and animal research work. As well as having a great day by Sydney Harbour,... Find out more


Ice-climbing 48 km

In winter, the frozen cliffs around Blue Lake provide one of the only places in Australia to learn and perfect the art of ice-climbing. Multi-day courses involve a hike in with heavy packs, and camping out in the... Find out more


Birdwatching trip by boat 90 km

Being out on a heaving sea all day with a flock of keen birdwatchers could be some people’s worst nightmare, but any nature lover should enjoy the experience – at least once anyway. There is the chance to... Find out more


Birdwatching near Newcastle 118 km

A reclaimed 45-hectare wetland area just 10 minutes drive from the centre of Newcastle has been Ramsar-listed and is an excellent spot to see up to 213 bird species, including more than 2000 pairs of breeding egrets. The... Find out more


Snorkelling and diving around Nelson Bay 159 km

Nelson Bay and surrounds offer some superb snorkelling and diving. Many locations are accessible by boat only, such as beautiful Broughton Island, but there are some exceptional shore dives and snorkelling – some... Find out more


Whale- and dolphin-watching around Huskisson 159 km

Many seaside towns on the South Coast have rightfully decided to champion the passing parade of marine mammals. From May to November there are more two-to-three-hour, whale- and dolphin-watching cruises than you can wave... Find out more


Golf courses around town

Castle Hill Country Club 19 km

Back in 1821, Irishman George Acres received a land grant and is understood to have planted Australia’s first citrus trees. He planted them on the land where the fairways of Castle Hill Country Club now weave... Find out more


Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club 25 km

As a globetrotting professional golfer of the 1970s and ’80s, Graham Marsh won more than 60 titles across five continents. The key to his success was his approach to the game. Every shot was thoughtfully... Find out more


Avondale GOLF CLUB 33 km

When 19th-hole conversation turns to discussing the best places to play golf in Sydney, one course often slips under the radar. Avondale Golf Club quite rightly ranks among the harbour city’s finest courses. Yet... Find out more


Pymble Golf Club 34 km

Pymble Golf Club has a rich history of nurturing some of the finest ball-strikers Australia has seen. The great Kel Nagle was the club’s resident professional for five years, and it was on the Pymble practice... Find out more


Terrey Hills Golf & Country Club 36 km

A golf course, by its very nature, is a living and constantly changing thing. A fine example of the way a course can grow and the effect this can have on its original design lies at Terrey Hills, about 40 minutes... Find out more


Concord Golf Club 37 km

From the very first days that golf was played in New South Wales, the name Concord has been part of the landscape. Established in 1899, golf began on the current site – on a layout designed by Dan Soutar, who... Find out more


Macquarie Links International Golf Club 42 km

Shanghai, Guam, Bali, Sabah, Bangkok, Singapore, Alaska, Hawaii; American course designer Robin Nelson has spent much of the past 30 years travelling from one exotic destination to another, putting his next project in... Find out more


Monash Country Club 42 km

The first few years after World War II were boom years for golf course construction in Sydney, particularly north of the harbour. The founding members of Monash Country Club – which is today located high in the... Find out more


Long Reef Golf Club 48 km

Occupying the Long Reef headland on Sydney’s northern beaches – ‘one of the best sites of any golf course in Sydney’, according to five-time British Open champion Peter Thomson – this... Find out more


The Australian Golf Club 50 km

With a rich history dating back to the first days of organised golf in Australia, The Australian is the country’s oldest formal golf club. It was established in 1882 but didn’t find a permanent home at... Find out more


Cafes & restaurants around town

Clydesdales Horse Drawn Restaurant

Heritage and history come together at this unusual restaurant in Windsor, the third town in Australia to be settled. Seated in an 1890s carriage, complete with antique fittings and seating a maximum of eight guests,... Find out more


The Harvest Restaurant

The Harvest Restaurant is located in the luxurious Sebel Resort & Spa Hawkesbury Valley, inviting guests to relax as they enjoy the contemporary cuisine with splashes of Asian and European flavours. The... Find out more


Nearby eco-friendly places to eat

Green Gourmet 46 km

These totally vegan restaurants have fascinating dishes including mock fish, made from taro, mushroom steaks and desserts such as green tea moon cake.... Find out more


Billy Kwong 48 km

This up-market restaurant in Surry Hills claims to have been the first restaurant in New South Wales that chose to become carbon neutral. Owned and run by passionate advocate of sustainability and ethical eating Kylie... Find out more


Nearby breweries

Tooheys Brewery 34 km

Tooheys remains the last of Sydney’s long-running mainstream breweries still currently operating. Founders James and John Toohey were cattle farmers before they entered the beer game, buying the Darling Brewery (it... Find out more


Paddy's Brewery 36 km

There may be more unlikely venues for a craft brewery but, offhand, I can’t think of one. The Markets Hotel is a 24-hour pub opposite Sydney’s Flemington fresh produce market, where you’re more likely... Find out more


Malt Shovel Brewery 45 km

US-born Dr Charles ‘Chuck’ Hahn has enjoyed two separate craft-beer careers over two decades, operating out of the same Camperdown brewery. In the late ’80s he opened it as the independent Hahn Brewery,... Find out more


Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel 45 km

Sydney’s longest-running brew-pub is many things rolled into one fine watering hole – an institution for ale lovers, a tourist magnet and a haven for homesick Poms. The historic sandstone pub is as comfy as a... Find out more


Redoak Brewery 46 km

Redoak burst onto the craft-beer scene by winning a swag of medals at the 2004 Australian International Beer Awards before they had sold even a single drop. And they have continued to collect an impressive array of... Find out more


Schwartz Brewery 47 km

Tucked away in the basement of the heritage-listed Macquarie Hotel in Surry Hills, this 8-hectolitre microbrewery is the hub of a burgeoning craft-beer empire run by owner Dr Jerry Schwartz. Apart from supplying the pub,... Find out more


St Peters Brewery 47 km

Matt Donelan is someone who marches to a different drum from most other craftbrewers. He doesn’t have a website or own a mobile phone and doesn’t believe in cardboard packaging. He matches his keg prices... Find out more


4 Pines Brewing Company 48 km

What do Margaret River and Manly have in common? Well, they both have popular surfing spots and craft breweries or, at least, they do now. The Mitchell family had seen the burgeoning Margaret River microbrewing scene... Find out more


Campsites around town

Cattai camping ground 11 km

You’ll need to book 2 weeks in advance to bag a spot at this camping ground on the Hawkesbury River, off Cattai–Wisemans Ferry Rd, 13 km north of Windsor. Part of the park was a First Fleet land grant to... Find out more


Burralow Creek camping ground 20 km

You can reach this spacious, family-friendly camping ground via a fire trail off Burralow Rd from Kurrajong Heights, or via the Patterson Range Fire Trail from Bilpin. Both these roads are 4WD only. The Bulcamatta Falls... Find out more


Wheeny Creek camping area 20 km

Thirty camping sites are available here, in the southern section of the park. It’s a spacious, picturesque medley of grassy terraces by the creek, which is a tributary of the Colo River. It’s on Comleroy Rd... Find out more


Colo Meroo camping area 26 km

Access to this camping site in the southern section of the park is by foot on the 24 km Mountain Lagoon Loop, which starts and finishes on Sam’s Way in the town of Mountain Lagoon. A far less taxing method of... Find out more


Marramarra Creek camping area 27 km

It’s a 4 km walk from the locked gate at Canoelands Rd, off Old Northern Rd, to this basic bush site. As with Gentlemans Halt, you’ll need to carry your drinking water with you, and preferably a gas/fuel... Find out more


Euroka Campground 28 km

This camping region, near the lovely Nepean River Gorge, can be reached via Bruce Rd in Glenbrook. It comprises 5 camping areas: Appletree Flat, Redgum, Nioka, Bennets Ridge and Daruk. Note that the access gate is locked... Find out more


Crosslands Reserve camping area 28 km

Set amid forests showcasing Sydney’s best – peppermint, blackbutt, scribbly gum and blue gums – this family-friendly camping site is in Hornsby Shire Council in the city’s north. You can drive in... Find out more


The Benowie Walking Track 29 km

This 25 km slice leads from Thornleigh to Berowra, through Berowra Valley Regional Park. Stop off for a tasty meal-with-a-view in one of the Berowra Waters cafes. There are 8 camping sites on this track.... Find out more


Mill Creek camping ground 33 km

One of the great drawcards of this camping ground is its wombat community. Sit quietly at dusk or dawn by one of the many freshly dug tunnels in the area, and you should be rewarded with a view of this enigmatic,... Find out more


Murphys Glen Campground 35 km

Murphys Glen Campground is tucked away among turpentine, angophora and eucalypt, 6 km south of Woodford via Bedford Rd off Railway Pde. Note that this is 2WD access in dry weather only; 4WD recommended. It’s a... Find out more


Caravan parks around town

Sydney Hills Holiday Park 22 km

This is a quality park in the north-western suburbs and can be easily accessed from the M7 through Sydney’s west. The well-designed park has a very good shop and is in a nice area. It is ideal for a holiday base in... Find out more


Lane Cove River Tourist Park 36 km

Despite being the closest caravan park to Sydney (just 10 km away), this place has a bush setting. Adjoining the Lane Cove River, the park has lovely treed areas and good facilities. A regular bus service operates to the... Find out more


BIG4 Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park 47 km

This is our pick of Sydney’s caravan parks. It is a large, grassy park on the banks of Narrabeen Lake and just a short stroll from the beach. It is located in a quiet area on the north shore, away from the city... Find out more


Ocean Beach Holiday Park 47 km

Just 2 km from the centre of Umina and set in a fabulous beachfront position, this quality park is a favourite of ours. There is a wide range of facilities, and children’s activities are held most weekends and... Find out more


Blackheath Caravan Park 49 km

In the heart of the Blue Mountains, this park is situated in a pretty parkland setting opposite the Rhododendron Gardens, and within walking distance of the town centre and Govetts Leap lookout. There are good basic... Find out more


Katoomba Falls Caravan Park 49 km

Located in a quiet off-highway location, this neat well-appointed park is very close to Katoomba’s cable car and scenic railway. It is an ideal park for a few days stay to explore the area. Bookings are required in... Find out more


Blue Lagoon Beach Resort 68 km

Tucked away at the water’s edge, this beachfront park has a pool, spa and an entertainment complex. It is an ideal place for a quiet break, although it is busy at the height of the Christmas and Easter holidays,... Find out more


Toowoon Bay Holiday Park 69 km

This is a large council-operated park on the waterfront. Some of the attractions in the area include pelican feeding and fishing. Pets are allowed but are restricted to one per site.... Find out more


Dunleith Tourist Park 71 km

This park has a picture-postcard location on the waterfront where Tuggerah Lake meets the sea. It has good tourist facilities and is within walking distance of town. Pets are allowed but not in holidays. Bookings are... Find out more


Two Shores Holiday Village 72 km

A small lakeside park, this place is easily accessible from the main road and has relatively easy access for big rigs. A feature of the park is the coffee shop adjoining the office. Pets are allowed outside peak periods... Find out more


Hotels, motels & B&Bs around town

Windsor Terrace Motel

Windsor Terrace Motel’s contemporary guest rooms are housed in a historic building with plenty of old-world charm. Each guest room has a lovely view overlooking the Hawkesbury River and beyond to the Blue... Find out more


Eco-friendly places to stay around town

Wollemi Wilderness Retreat, Bilpin 35 km

These unusual self-contained cabins of various sizes feature passive solar design and are mainly constructed from recycled and salvaged materials. Although not high-class, they all have a spa and are in isolated bush... Find out more


Bunjaree Cottages, Wentworth Falls 41 km

Great for families, Bunjaree Cottages have been designed to make a small environmental footprint, with full solar power and earth-brick insulation. One is built with recycled car tyres and mud, providing even better... Find out more


Australia Walkabout Park, Calga 43 km

You can camp out with the 180 species of wild animal in this 32-hectare feral-proofed wildlife park that has a solid history of conservation and caring for injured and orphaned wildlife. The overnight camping experience... Find out more


Jemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge, Blackheath 46 km

One of the first working examples of large-scale sustainable tourism to exist in Australia, Jemby-Rinjah has advanced eco-accreditation, and one of the most extensive systems of composting toilets in the country. Ten... Find out more


Old Leura Dairy 46 km

This creative collection of six buildings, which can sleep up to 30 people in various combinations, has been renovated and fitted out with all manner of recycled bits and bobs. There are old oven doors, rusted corrugated... Find out more


Kanimbla View, Blackheath 51 km

Solar-powered, the two- and three-bedroom cottages here are surprisingly large inside. They are partially constructed from recycled and salvaged timbers, have composting toilets and a great view of the Kanimbla Valley... Find out more


Woolshed Cabins, near Blackheath 52 km

Eleven kilometres from Blackheath and surrounded by a glorious natural amphitheatre of towering sandstone walls, the Woolshed Cabins sit on 100 hectares of cleared farmland (a working cattle farm) in the Kanimbla Valley,... Find out more


Dargan Springs Mountain Lodge, Clarence 56 km

At the soft end of ecotourism, this pleasant lodge and wellness retreat has advanced eco-certification. It is surrounded by a mountain ash forest dotted with waratahs, the habitat of wombats and wallabies. With a maximum... Find out more


Jenolan Cabins 80 km

These basic but cosy self-contained cabins, 6 kilometres up the steep hill past Jenolan Caves, are earth-sheltered for climate control and have composting toilets and rainwater. There are great views over the mountains,... Find out more


Somewhere Unique, Wollombi 81 km

The two stand-alone, couples-only cottages here are stylish, contemporary and have passive solar design. They are eco-accredited, on an 8-hectare bushland reserve, and use only renewable energy and Greenfleet vehicles.... Find out more


Rest areas around town

Hawkesbury River Rest Area 37 km

49 km N of Sydney (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway on the banks of the river. GPS: S33 32.029 E151 11.845... Find out more


Ourimbah Exit Rest Area 59 km

82 km N of Sydney (L) or 85 km S of Raymond Terrace (R) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 20.594 E151 22.046  ... Find out more


Service Centre 68 km

93 km N of Sydney (L) or 74 km S of Raymond Terrace (R) Highway Service Centre just off the highway. GPS: S33 15.322 E151 24.172... Find out more


Lake Wallace Park Area 72 km

T/O 51 km E of Bathurst (L) or 11 km W of Lithgow (R) Large area 2 kilometres north of the highway on the shores of the lake. Good facilities but only limited shade. GPS: S33 24.849 E150 04.255 ... Find out more


Sunny Corner Camp Area 89 km

T/O 34 km E of Bathurst (L) or 28 km W of Lithgow (R) Secluded campground located 7 kilometres north of the highway. GPS: S33 23.267 E149 53.542  ... Find out more


Gordon VC Rest Area 113 km

21 km SW of Mittagong (R) or 64 km NE of Goulburn (L) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S34 32.086 E150 16.885  ... Find out more


Golden Highway Junction Rest Area 115 km

36 km NW of Maitland (L) or 11 km SE of Singleton (R) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 38.553 E151 14.005  ... Find out more


Pothana Lane Rest Area 115 km

30 km NW of Maitland (L) or 17 km SE of Singleton (R) Small area just off the highway via the old road. Limited shade. GPS: S32 39.433 E151 17.667  ... Find out more


Mackey VC Rest Area 119 km

28 km SW of Mittagong (L) or 57 km NE of Goulburn (R) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S34 34.763 E150 15.192  ... Find out more


Singleton Park Area 120 km

South side of town Small parking area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S32 34.321 E151 10.852... Find out more


Singleton North Rest Area 124 km

6 km NW of Singleton (R) or 43 km SE of Muswellbrook (L) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 31.437 E151 07.945 ... Find out more


Kingsbury VC Rest Area 125 km

27 km SW of Mittagong (L) or 58 km NE of Goulburn (R) Large area just off the highway among some large pine trees. Good shade. GPS: S34 37.166 E150 12.832 ... Find out more


The Rocks Rest Area 135 km

20 km W of Bathurst (R) or 36 km E of Orange (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S33 25.56 E149 22.48  ... Find out more


Macquarie Wood Camp Area 141 km

T/O 28 km W of Bathurst (R) or 28 km E of Orange (L) Large open grassed area located 2 kilometres north of the highway among some large trees. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S33 24.34... Find out more


Medowie Road Rest Area 141 km

58 km S of Bulahdelah (L) southbound only Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S32 40.225 E151 50.113... Find out more


Twelve Mile Hill Rest Area 143 km

15 km N of Raymond Terrace (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S32 39.744 E151 50.559... Find out more


Blayney Park Area 145 km

West side of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 32.263 E149 15.254... Find out more


What's on around town

Market: Windsor Mall; Sun.

Bridge to Bridge Powerboat Classic: May.

Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Race: Nov.

Hawkesbury Canoe Classic: Nov.

Hawkesbury Wine, Food and Music Affair Raceday: Nov.

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