Heritage, Gardens & the Hawkesbury

Monday 11th to Friday 15th October 2027

Discover the history, scenery and timeless charm of the beautiful Hawkesbury Valley on this relaxing 5-day getaway with Port Bus. Settle in for four nights at the delightful Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley and enjoy a wonderful mix of heritage attractions, leisurely cruises, nostalgic rail travel, beautiful gardens and delicious dining.

Step back in time at the Hawkesbury Regional Museum and historic Howe House, sample local wines and enjoy lunch at Tizzana Winery, and visit Australia’s oldest existing church at Ebenezer. Cruise the peaceful Nepean River aboard the charming Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler, relive the golden age of steam on the famous Zig Zag Railway and wander through the spectacular cool-climate gardens at Mount Tomah.

To complete the holiday, join the legendary Riverboat Postman for a memorable luncheon cruise along the Hawkesbury River, delivering mail to isolated riverside communities while taking in some of the region’s most picturesque scenery. With all lunches included, comfortable resort accommodation and plenty of time to relax along the way, this is a delightful spring escape filled with history, nostalgia, great food and wonderful company.

DAY 1 (MTLD): PORT MACQUAIRE TO HAWKESBURY VALLEY

Monday 11 October 2027

Welcome to our 5-day tour to the Hawkesbury Valley. Once comfortable in our seats we begin our holiday.  A slightly later lunch today at The Hornsby RSL Club. Nestled at the foot of the Blue Mountains, Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley offers 4.5-star deluxe accommodation with 8 hectares of landscaped gardens.

Lunch at The Hornsby RSL Club | Dinner in resort

Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley | 4 nights

Day 2 (BLD): HAWKESBURY VALLEY AND EBENEZER

Tuesday 12 October 2027

We enjoy a relaxed start to the morning before stepping back into the fascinating history of the Hawkesbury region at the Hawkesbury Regional Museum. Through a collection of engaging displays, photographs, artefacts and exhibitions, we discover more about the people, industries and events that helped shape one of Australia’s earliest settled districts. Our visit also includes a guided tour of historic Howe House, believed to have been built by John Howe in the 1820s, where we gain an insight into colonial life and the stories of the families who once called the Hawkesbury home.

From here, we make our way to Tizzana Winery, a beautiful and historic property with a story dating back to 1887. During our visit, we hear how Dr Thomas Fiaschi established the winery to meet the growing demand for locally produced wine and learn more about the property’s Italian heritage and long winemaking tradition. Of course, no winery visit would be complete without a tasting, so we sample a selection of Tizzana wines before settling in to enjoy a delicious lunch in the peaceful surrounds of the estate.

This afternoon, we continue to Ebenezer Church, a wonderfully preserved piece of Australian history. Built between 1809 and 1823, it is recognised as the oldest existing church in Australia and remains an important landmark in the Hawkesbury. We have time to explore the church and grounds at our own pace, soaking up the quiet atmosphere and imagining life here more than two centuries ago. After a lovely day filled with history, local flavours and country charm, we return to our hotel with time to relax and freshen up before dinner.

Breakfast and dinner in resort | lunch at Tizzana Winery

Day 3 (BLD): NEPEAN BELLE

Wednesday 13 October 2027

We enjoy a leisurely start to the day, with plenty of time to ease into the morning before making our way to Penrith. Here we board the beautifully presented Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for a relaxing luncheon cruise along the tranquil waters of the Nepean River. As we cruise, the impressive landscapes of the Blue Mountains National Park provide a stunning backdrop, with sandstone escarpments, bushland and peaceful river scenery unfolding around us. The Nepean Belle is a charming old-world style paddle-wheeler, designed to capture the grace and romance of a bygone era. Step inside and you’ll find warm timber interiors beautifully finished with cedar and teak, creating an inviting and nostalgic atmosphere throughout the vessel. With its classic paddlewheel design and comfortable dining areas, it is the perfect setting for a relaxed afternoon on the water. Once underway, we sit back, enjoy the gentle pace of the cruise and take in the beautiful surrounds as the river winds its way through this picturesque part of the region. A delicious lunch is served onboard, giving us the chance to dine while enjoying the scenery and the easy-going atmosphere of the Belle. With good food, wonderful views and plenty of time to relax with fellow travellers, this is a delightful way to spend the day before returning to our hotel later in the afternoon.

Breakfast and dinner in resort | luncheon cruise

Day 4 (BLD) THE ZIG ZAG RAILWAY

Thursday 14 October 2027

Today we set out for a wonderful day combining railway nostalgia with the spectacular scenery of the Blue Mountains. Our first destination is the much-loved Zig Zag Railway, one of the region’s most fascinating heritage attractions. Originally constructed between 1866 and 1869, the railway was considered an extraordinary engineering achievement of its time and played an important role in opening rail access to the western regions of New South Wales. After being severely damaged by bushfires, the railway has been lovingly restored through the dedication and determination of volunteers, bringing this historic experience back to life for visitors to enjoy once again. As we climb aboard, we are transported back to the golden age of steam, with the unmistakable sights, sounds and smells of a hard-working steam locomotive adding to the atmosphere. The journey winds through rugged bushland and dramatic mountain scenery, offering wonderful views along the way and a real sense of the challenges faced by the railway’s original builders. A picnic lunch is included as part of our visit, giving us time to relax and enjoy the surroundings before continuing. From here, we travel along the scenic Bells Line of Road to Mount Tomah, home to the beautiful Blue Mountains Botanic Garden. Perched around 1,000 metres above sea level on the summit of an extinct volcano, this remarkable 252-hectare garden is home to an impressive collection of cool-climate plants from around the world. We have time to explore at our own pace, wandering through beautifully landscaped areas such as the Formal Garden, Explorers’ Walk and Brunet Meadow while enjoying sweeping views across the surrounding mountains and valleys. With thousands of plant specimens, peaceful pathways and ever-changing seasonal displays, there is plenty to admire around every corner. After a memorable day filled with steam-train nostalgia, mountain scenery and beautiful gardens, we return to our hotel for our final evening together, with time to freshen up before dinner.

Day 5 (BL): LUNCHEON CRUISE TO HOME

Friday 15 October 2027

Our final day may have arrived, but there is still one wonderful experience to enjoy before we make our way home. After breakfast and checking out of our hotel, we travel to the Hawkesbury River where we join the famous Riverboat Postman for a memorable luncheon cruise along one of Australia’s most scenic and historic waterways. For more than a century, the Riverboat Postman service has helped connect the isolated river communities of the Hawkesbury, delivering mail, supplies and a friendly face to residents living along stretches of the river that are difficult to access by road. As we cruise, we become part of this unique working mail run, stopping at riverside settlements and properties while enjoying the lively commentary and stories shared by our skipper. The Hawkesbury River is renowned for its beautiful natural scenery, with peaceful sandy coves, bush-covered hills, rocky escarpments and fjord-like inlets creating an ever-changing backdrop. With lunch served onboard, we can sit back, relax and take in the views as the boat winds its way through this picturesque part of the region. After our cruise, we rejoin the coach and begin our journey home. It is the perfect way to finish our Hawkesbury Valley escape, reflecting on five days filled with history, beautiful scenery, river cruising, heritage rail travel, local flavours and plenty of wonderful company. We arrive home later this afternoon with new memories, shared stories and another enjoyable Port Bus holiday behind us.

TOUR INCLUSIONS

•             4 nights hotel accommodation

•             4 breakfasts

•             4 dinners  

•             5 included lunches – see below

•             Lunch at Hornsby RSL Club

•             Visit the Hawkesbury Regional Museum

•             Wine tasting and lunch at the Tizzana Winery, Hawkesbury

•             Self-guided visit to Ebenezer Church

•             Luncheon Cruise on Nepean Belle Paddle-wheeler

•             Clarence to Bottom Points including a picnic lunch on the Zig Zag Railway

•             Sefl guided tour of Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens

•             Riverboat Postman Cruise including lunch with Hawkesbury Cruises

CONFIRMED ACCOMMODATION

•             Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley (4 nights)

$3,094 pp twin share | plus $ 790 single supplement | $750.00 per person deposit

FOR MORE INFORMATION;

Phone                 02 6583 3330

Email:                 admin@portbus.com.au

Website:            https://www.portbus.com.au

PLEASE NOTE

•             Price is based on 25 paying passengers. If numbers fall below 25 paying passengers, this tour may need to be re-costed.

•             Price is valid for above tour dates only and includes GST.

•             It is highly recommended that you have travel insurance in the event of travel disruptions.

•             Accommodation is subject to availability. If alternative accommodation needs to be sourced, the price could change.

•             Attractions are subject to availability.

•             Surcharges may apply if accommodation dates fall on public holidays or special events.

•             Morning teas or afternoon teas are not included unless specified.

•             The itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, Expanding Horizons reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be carried out to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Every attempt will be made to ensure modifications do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. Expanding Horizons will not be held responsible for weather-based cancellations or those closures made at the venue’s discretion.