Hawkesbury on the NET - Discovery Trails

The Botanists Way

The Botanists Way touring route links the Hawkesbury Valley and Lithgow along the Bells Line of Road and Chifley Road. The Botanists Way connects many of the botanical attractions and themes in the area and crosses the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area with spectacular wilderness on both sides of the road.

The Botanists Way is also part of the larger Grand Circular Tourist Drive through the Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Oberon and Blue Mountains areas.

The 90 km drive along The Botanists Way between the Hawkesbury and Lithgow takes less than an hour and a half, but a whole day or even several days can be spent exploring all the sights and experiences along the way.

The botanical theme of the Way is based on the route’s association with the 1804 journey of colonial explorer and biologist George Caley, who walked from the Hawkesbury River to Mount Banks. Other botanical connections include other botanical explorers of the area, traditional Aboriginal pathways, Aboriginal knowledge and use of plants, Mount Tomah Botanic Garden and the diverse bushland of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (listed under the World Heritage Convention for its biodiversity values).

Discovery Trails
The Botanists Way The Botanists Way touring route links the Hawkesbury Valley and Lithgow along the Bells Line of Road and Chifley Road. The Botanists Way connects many of the botanical attractions and themes in the area and crosses the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area with spectacular wilderness on both sides of the road. The Botanists Way is also part of the larger Grand Circular Tourist Drive through the Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Oberon and Blue Mountains areas. The 90 km drive along The Botanists Way between the Hawkesbury and Lithgow takes less than an hour and a half, but a whole day or even several days can be spent exploring all the sights and experiences along the way. The botanical theme of the Way is based on the route’s association with the 1804 journey of colonial explorer and biologist George Caley, who walked from the Hawkesbury River to Mount Banks. Other botanical connections include other botanical explorers of the area, traditional Aboriginal pathways, Aboriginal knowledge and use of plants, Mount Tomah Botanic Garden and the diverse bushland of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (listed under the World Heritage Convention for its biodiversity values).		The Great North Road Convict Trail Extending north from Sydney to the Hunter Valley, the Convict Trail follows the route of the 240 km Great North Road, built between 1826 and 1836. Most of this road continues to be used today, offering an alternative, slower paced scenic route between Sydney and the Hunter, where one can explore the brilliant engineering works created by hundreds of convicts - many working in leg-irons. Relics such as stone retaining walls, wharves, culverts, bridges and buttresses can still be seen along the entire length of the Great North Road - in Sydney suburbs like Epping and Gladesville, at Wisemans Ferry or Wollombi, Bucketty or Broke, or when walking in Dharug and Yengo National Parks.
Hawkesbury Harvest Farm Gate Trail An initiative of Hawkesbury Harvest, the ‘Farm Gate Trail Map’ simultaneously promotes agriculture and tourism. The map includes local growers, art & craft outlets, B&B's, tourism-oriented businesses and natural attractions. A handout map is being produced on a quarterly basis to reflect seasonal availability of produce. A full colour version will also be produced annually and will detail the entire array of produce grown throughout the year in the region. Contact Hawkesbury Harvest for further details.		Sydney Wine Trail An initiative of the Nepean Hawkesbury Winemakers and Grapegrowers Association Inc., the wineries in the Greater Sydney Region have combined to produce the Sydney Wine Trail.
Hawkesbury Valley Tourist Drives An initiative of Tourism Hawkesbury Inc. these drives highlight the Hawkesbury's many historic buildings and townships, majestic river and national parks. Drives include: Drive 1 - Bells Line of Road Drive 2 - Historic Tour of the Hawkesbury River Lowlands Drive 3 - Pitt Town, Wisemans Ferry, St Albans & Macdonald Valley Drive 4 - Link Route between Drives 1, 2 and 3 Drive 5 - Scenic Route to Kurrajong Drive 6 - Circular Drive around the townships of Windsor and Richmond Drive 7 - Colo River and the Wollemi National Park Note(s): Most drives start at Windsor. Many of the historic buildings you will see are privately owned and lived in, so are not open for inspection.

Discovery Trails

The Botanists Way

The Great North Road Convict Trail

Hawkesbury Harvest Farm Gate Trail

Sydney Wine Trail

Hawkesbury Valley Tourist Drives