Tourism and Community Studies

The country community of Hawkesbury Valley, northwest of Sydney has a population of 65, 000 (www.hawkesburyvalley.com). The rich fertile floodplains stretching along the Hawkesbury River provided then, and still today, much of Sydney’s fresh produce. Nestled among two of NSW’s greatest national parks- the Blue Mountains and Wollomi National Park, the Hawkesbury has plenty of area for recreational activities from abseiling and canyoning for the adventurous to quiet bush walks or a paddle on the canoe for those who just wish to be close to nature.

There are plenty of holiday cabins, both on high areas of Bilpin and Kurrajong and on the tranquil riverfronts of Lower Portland, Wisemans Ferry, St Albans and Colo (www.hawkesburyvalley.com). Being one of Australia’s earliest settlement areas, there are still a large number of heritage buildings left intact here, and a historical tour will take you right back in time of Governor Lachlan Macquarie. Tourists can also enjoy themselve...