From big-water views, rolling rural roads and farm-gate finds, here’s how to spend a weekend in this beautiful river region.
Just over an hour north-west of Sydney, the Hawkesbury area makes for a great weekend escape, minus the tedious travel time of a more rural destination. Known as Dyarubbin – believed to mean ‘wide deep water’ – to the Dharug and Darkinjung peoples, and dubbed the ‘Nile of New South Wales’ by early European settlers, the storied Hawkesbury River has long been the heart of life here.
Add historic buildings, exciting new openings, endless apple orchards and lush valley landscapes, and it’s easy to see why it remains a mainstay destination for mini-breaks.
Day one
10am: Start in Richmond with a coffee and wander through its heritage centre. If you’re visiting on a Sunday, browse the Richmond Good Food Market for farm-fresh produce, local treats and handmade goodies. Also soak up local history at Pioneer Village, and peruse exhibitions at the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery.
Fresh produce at Bilpin Apple Pie Cottage Orchard. (Credit: Destination NSW/James Horan)
Meet the friendly alpacas at Madisons Mountain Retreat. (Credit: Destination NSW/James Horan)
Stop by Lochiel House for a delicious lunch. (Credit: Destination NSW)
11.30am: Then head towards Bilpin, where country roads ribbon through pretty apple orchards and farm-gates. Apple picking is available from February to May – and, for obvious reasons, follow the legendary Apple Pie Trail.
1pm: For a leisurely meal, drop in to Lochiel House in Kurrajong Heights. Set within a historic property and gardens, it’s a longstanding local favourite dishing up modern Australian fare. After lunch, take a stroll through its leafy grounds.
2.45pm: Feed an alpaca at Madisons Mountain Retreat, a cute farmstay where you can stay overnight or stop in for the daily 3pm feeding ($25 per adult and $20 per child).
4pm: Check into your accommodation; there are plenty of wonderful Hawkesbury Valley stays to suit every budget and travel type.
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
AI Prompt
Spicers Sangoma Retreat can accommodate up to 18 guests.
Enjoy luxe bushland seclusion at Spicers Sangoma Retreat.
Try the new VELA Spa & Bathhouse at Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley.
For couples, the Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley in Windsor makes for a perfect base. Indulge in its new VELA Spa & Bathhouse, with thermal bathing, a sauna, hot and cold plunge pools, and spaces designed for serious unwinding.
Or, for a little extra indulgence, lay down your head at Spicers Sangoma Retreat, an upscale accommodation awarded two Michelin Keys for good reason.
For those who have their little tribe in tow, bed down on the bends of the Hawkesbury at Del Rio Riverside Resort in Wisemans Ferry, complete with a playground, water park, mini golf and kiosk. And come sunset, enjoy adult drinks at the onsite bar.
Before then, get on the river to kayak, boat or go on a fishing cruise. Even better? Hire a houseboat and let the river rock you to sleep.
Day two
Take The Convict Trail up to St Albans, where you can enjoy a pint at the lively Settlers Arms Inn. (Credit: Destination NSW)
10am: Before heading home, drive towards St Albans to explore its Convict Trail along the famous Great North Road, where towering stone retaining walls, bridges and culverts built by convicts emerge from the surrounding bushland. Or perhaps visit the Wild Cat Conservation Centre for an up-close look at enigmatic cheetahs in motion while learning about the centre’s ethical breeding and rewilding efforts.
Afterwards point your wheels towards Sydney, stopping at one last farm-gate for local produce – a final taste of this memorable overnight escape.
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Leanne Archer is a journalist with decades of experience in the media industry. She currently works as a freelance sub-editor and writer for Australian Traveller Media working across Australian Traveller and International Traveller, as well as a copywriter in the not-for-profit and private sectors. Her career history includes positions as editor of Vacations & Travel magazine, chief sub-editor of Stellar and roles at publications including marie claire, InStyle and The Innovators (News Prestige), along with metropolitan newspapers. After completing a three-year journalism cadetship on Melbourne’s Herald Sun and working as a graded reporter, Leanne took off for five years of travel through Asia, Europe and North Africa. During this time, she took pause in London for a gig as a travel and hospitality writer at TNTMagazine.
The Artesian Spa Capital of Australia offers the perfect destination to escape the grind and reset.
The world moves more slowly in Moree, and that’s how it should be. Here, country charm and heritage buildings fill the town’s wide streets. While the surrounding farmland mixes with lush riverways to create a fascinating landscape.
But the biggest pull? Moree is known as the Artesian Spa Capital of Australia. It’s truly a place to slow down and disconnect, all an easy train ride from Sydney.
Soak in Moree’s artesian water
Dive in to Moree’s artesian waters.
Moree is not your typical wellness retreat, replacing pretence with casual and easy. Blessed to be sitting above the Great Artesian Basin, it feeds the town (and surrounding villages) with hot, mineral-rich water. Loaded with minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulphur, this water is believed to help with skin health, joint function and tissue repair.
And the town’s crown jewel, Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre, has reopened after extensive upgrades. This state-of-the-art aquatic centre offers accessible facilities with multiple artesian baths of varying temperatures between 38 and 41°C.
Feel like exploring a little further? About an hour’s drive from Moree, the village of Boomi also offers public access to this same artesian water. Pop into Boomi Artesian Pool to make the most of a 25-metre cold pool, a wading pool and a hot artesian spa pool.
Just an hour west of Boomi, you’ll also find Mungindi Hot Artesian Pool, another relaxing place to rejuvenate for the afternoon in the mineral-rich water.
Moree’s best stays
Stay right by Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre.
There are several motels within walking distance of the aquatic centre, so you linger longer in its therapeutic waters. A day pass not enough? Really soak in the benefits of Moree at three local stays with their own artesian baths.
Gwydir Thermal Pools Resort boasts five artesian pools for motel and caravan park guests, ranging in soothing temperatures from 34 to 39 degrees. And that includes a 25-metre lap pool.
The Phoenix, Artesian Spa Resort & Accommodation features outdoor artesian thermal pools and six indoor artesian spas, all 34 to 42°C, plus regular pools for guests staying in their accommodations.
While the Artesian Spa Motel matches 46 comfortable budget rooms set across five acres of landscaped grounds, with direct access (for guests) to its own natural artesian hot thermal pool.
Moree’s location at the crossroads of the Newell and Gwydir Highways makes it the ideal resting place for those road tripping through country NSW. With plenty of accommodation options, including farm stays, quaint bed and breakfasts and affordable motels.
Delving into nature around Moree
Find plenty of natural beauty in and around Moree. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Beyond the baths, find calm in Moree’s nature. Soak up the impressive Gwydir River from the peaceful Tareelaroi Weir Recreation Area. Popular with locals, this scenic spot is perfect for fishing, kayaking and picnics. Delve into local history at the Terry Hie Hie Picnic Area – a significant Gamilaroi cultural site. The picnic area is still used today as a ceremonial gathering ground, with educational signage sharing the history of the Gamilaroi People and the mission which used to reside here in the early 20th Century. Follow the Yana-y Warruwi Walking Track to explore the area’s box pine forest.
Combine nature and culture at the Jellicoe Park Open Spaces Aboriginal Art Trail along the scenic Mehi River Walk. Find artworks from local Indigenous artists across a range of different mediums, like carved logs, engraved and painted sandstone and scar tree paintings.
A taste of Moree
Sit down for a tasty meal after a game of golf. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Taste the best of local cafes as you wander past the Art Deco architecture of Moree’s tree-lined main streets. Join the locals each morning at Brooker Trading Co as they line up for their morning java. Stay for classic breakfast dishes like eggs benedict and Dutch pancakes, or arrive later in the day for a hearty lunch menu. Inside a gorgeous Art Deco building, 61 Balo is another tasty breakfast option, with pet-friendly service. The recently renovated Cafe Omega is another popular stop for fresh, hearty meals – the chicken burger is a particular crowd pleaser – all served with a smile.
Get inspired as you wander the CBD’s Mural Trail, stopping at some of Moree’s six art galleries along the way. Bank Art Museum is a must-see, housed in the town’s heritage bank building and home to a collection of First Nations art, plus a changing calendar of touring exhibitions.
Step inside the gorgeous Bank Art Museum Moree. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Get active with a round on the beautiful riverside course at Moree Golf Club (and refuel afterwards at the delicious onsite restaurant) or a game of bowls at Moree Services Club’s state-of-the-art facility. Visit on the last weekend of September to join (or watch) Run the Plains, Moree’s annual two-day running festival.
Known as ‘white gold’ country, Moree is Australia’s most productive agricultural region. Visit from April to September to join a cotton farm tour and get to know one of Moree’s major exports.
However long you choose to stay, there’s plenty to soak in around Moree.
