A 3-day itinerary in the Hawkesbury for foodies

The Hawkesbury region isn’t known as Sydney’s food bowl for nothing. This fertile pocket is a patchwork of orchards, gardens and boutique producers. Pick fresh fruit, sip wine and cider, eat exquisite meals, and shuck oysters while standing in the river.

Destination NSW

Apr 2024 -

min read

Highlights

Don your waterproof waders for an in-water oyster tasting
Pick apples, berries and peaches straight from the tree (or bush)
Lay out a picnic of roast chicken and apple cider to be enjoyed under fruit trees
Savour coffee in the company of alpacas
Order paddles of local craft brews and visit charming historic pubs

Getting there & where to stay

Given the Hawkesbury region’s proximity, you don’t even need to leave work early to arrive in time for dinner – it’s just a 90-minute drive from the heart of Sydney. Set your GPS for Spicers Sangoma Retreat, a patch of paradise surrounded by the Blue Mountains National Park. Your accommodation for the next three nights is food-focused, so call ahead and book tonight’s table at the onsite Restaurant Amara. After you’ve ditched your luggage in one of the dreamy suites or glamping tents – all of which come with deep soaking tubs and wood-burning fires, not to mention uninterrupted views over the bushland – sit down to a dinner of epic proportions. The menu here changes daily, depending on what the chefs source from Hawkesbury purveyors.

Guest lounge at Spicers Sangoma Retreat in Hawkesbury, Sydney North

Pool with a view at Spicers Sangoma Retreat, Blue Mountains National Park

Strawberries and basil at Restaurant Amara, Bowen Mountain

Woman relaxing in the bath with views at Spicers Sangoma Retreat, Bowen Mountain

Selection of snacks at Restaurant Amara, Bowen Mountain

Morning

Sip on your morning coffee while gazing out over the bush canopy from your Spicer suite, before making tracks for Harvest Farms, the main supplier of last night’s dinner, where you can take a tour of the grounds and learn about community agriculture. Next, the Secret Garden & Nursery is a not-for-profit community hub hosting beehives, a lush plant nursery and a cafe, where everything on the menu comes from the surrounding district.

Afternoon

There’s something about the crisp, clean air of the country that makes you thirsty. Thankfully, the Hawkesbury has a handful of wineries to refresh your palate with a sip or two. Tizzana Winery, Bull Ridge Estate Wines and Jubilee Vineyard Estate are all within a couple of kilometres of each other around the delightful town of Sackville, on a bend of the Hawkesbury River. Various vintages of sauvignon blanc, rosé and verdelho are available at the wineries.

Jubilee Vineyard Estate, The Hawkesbury

Evening

The historic town of Windsor is home to one of Australia’s oldest pubs, the Macquarie Arms Hotel. Built in 1815, on orders from then-Governor Lachlan Macquarie, it's the oldest building in Thompson Square, named after wealthy emancipist Andrew Thompson, a policeman, farmer and businessman. Drop in for a hearty pub feed or – if craft beer is more to your taste – drive 15 minutes west to the town of Richmond. Here you will find Gypsy Fox Brewing Co, open Friday and Saturday, pouring pilsner, red ale and pale ale alongside casual eats from food trucks.

Morning

Your morning fruit consumption depends on which month you’re visiting. Head to Bilpin’s Pine Crest Orchard and you could be picking pears (January), berries (February), golden delicious apples (March) or peaches (December). There’s no entrance fee to visit this sprawling farm – just pay for what you pick.

Nearby is Bilpin Fruit Bowl. You’ve already stocked up on naturally sweet treats, so make a beeline for the vegetable gardens, where you can pick your fill. The establishment also has a store where you can purchase homemade pies and scones, plus local honeys and jams. Brilliant paired with a cup of tea back at your bush retreat.

Pine Crest Orchard, Bilpin

Afternoon

When the clock ticks over to noon, make your way to Bilpin Cider Co. This brand needs little introduction, with its fizzy ferments sold across the country. At the cellar door, you can try all 12 beverages in the portfolio (both boozy and non-alcoholic) and then take a stroll around the apple orchard, where friendly sheep and alpaca roam. Bring a picnic blanket, order a hamper from the provedore (one option: roast chicken with cheeses, salad and freshly baked bread rolls) and find a leafy lunchtime spot on the property. The Farm Kitchen also dishes up burgers, tacos, toasties, and meat and cheese boards on Saturdays and Sundays.

Bilpin Cider Co. Image Credit: Bilpin Cider Co

Add even more sparkle to your day down the road at Hillbilly Cider. Sample a tasting paddle of their award-winning apple and pear ciders made using local fruit and, if you’re still peckish, pick up a wood-fired pizza. In the cooler months, cosy up to a log fire overlooking the expansive grassy area (perfect for the kids to have a run around) and orchard, and be sure to take home a “growler” of your favourite pour.

Hillbilly Cider, Bilpin

Evening

After the day’s non-stop grazing, you’ll want a light dinner. Back at Spicers, book the wine, cheese and chocolate experience and have a sommelier visit your suite and discuss the drops you’re drinking, before leaving you to devour a selection of local fromage and delicious chocolate. Hot tip: there’s also a cocktail masterclass available.

Spicers Sangoma Retreat in Bowen Mountain

Morning

It’s hard to say goodbye to Spicers Sangoma – if ever there was an antidote to the stress of modern-day life, this is it. Once you check out, delay your return to Sydney with a stop at The Village Kitchen in Kurrajong, where the coffee is strong, the breakfast staples are on point and the courtyard is pet-friendly – alpacas have been known to stop by with their owners.

The Village Kitchen in Kurrajong - Credit: Jonathan Cami

Afternoon

Loop around the northern fringe of the city and head for the Mooney Mooney Bridge. Here, in the pristine waters of the Hawkesbury, is Sydney Oyster Farm Tours, a family-run oyster farm that’s committed to sustainability, environmental responsibility and producing exceptional seafood. Take a boat tour over the leases while learning about the oyster farming process, then slip on your waterproof waders for a tasting like no other. Tables covered in white cloths are set up in the water so you can taste freshly shucked oysters, learn how to shuck them yourself and toast with a bottle of BYO bubbles.