Why not take a trip to historic Windsor for a great day out with the family? Windsor is the third-oldest place of British settlement on the Australian continent and is located on the Hawkesbury River, on the north-western outskirts of Sydney.
Windsor Post Office
Many of the area's original buildings have survived from that era which gives Windsor a charming atmosphere and gives us a glimpse of what it would be like to have been part of Australia's colonial history.
Every Sunday the Windsor Mall Craft Market takes place from 9.00am to around 3.30pm (except for in January) in the unique heritage precinct in George St Mall. This Tourism Award Winning Market has been running for over 18 years. On display is the work of the many talented crafts people from the area who sell their hand made and home grown products at individual stalls.
Browse through the stalls offering homemade arts, crafts and fashion items. Purchase some fresh home grown produce and plants to take home with you and enjoy the music performed by local bands and buskers. The markets offer wheelchair access.
Stalls are also available for anyone that has quality handmade goods that they wish to sell.
Image courtesy of Windsor Mall Craft Markets
There are plenty of places to grab a bite or two to eat at the many restaurants and cafes in town.
The
Macquarie Arms Hotel, the oldest Pub in mainland Australia - first licensed in 1815, is still serving drinks to thirsty travellers and visitors. You can savour views of the town from one of the large balconies with a cold drink or enjoy a great value bistro lunch in the beer garden. It is located in the main street (George Street).
The beer garden courtesy of The Windsor Arms Hotel
St Matthews Church, the Court House, Tebbut's Observatories, and the graveyard all date back to the early nineteenth century. As you walk through the narrow streets of Windsor many examples of the 1840's style architecture you will see are still used today as residential homes. You can even take a little bit of history home with you by purchasing from one of the many antique shops offering furniture, ceramics and collectables.
The newest attraction in town is the
Hawkesbury Regional Gallery (located in the Deerubbin Centre at 300 George Street). This gallery space exhibits both traditional and contemporary work and entry is free. Here you will find undercover parking, including disabled access.
Image courtesy of Hawkesbury Regional Gallery
Windsor can be accessed by car or train. The station is very central and the town is easy to walk around.
If you do come by car, you may also want to explore the
Farm Gate Trail. The trail gives you the opportunity to visit local producers, taste the products before you purchase, talk to the farmer and learn about how the produce was grown, harvested and how they themselves cook or prepare it.
Image courtesy of Windsor Mall Craft Markets
