The beautiful Hawkesbury River only 1 ½ hours comfortable drive from Sydney, this quiet little part of the country doesn’t see a lot of vehicular traffic, although time is catching up.
The common denominator is the Hawkesbury River and the wonders of the Hawkesbury valley. It’s the same old river that saw the old “Eringal” and the “MV Sackville” service the folk who lived along the river. Today we don’t see that sort of craft along the river but the friendly people are still here, so are the beautiful old buildings and churches and the lifestyle is still very much relaxed as it was in the yesteryear, Sackville and its close surrounding area have some fascinating walks. Complete with wallabies, flying foxes, sugar gliders, king parrots, owls, gang gangs, black cockatoos, kookaburras, possums and the occasional wombat. There remains nearby one of the last pockets of rain forest where bellbirds are heard and the magnificent Satin Bower bird abound. Also the remains of convict roads some of which are still used today pass magnificent sandstone homesteads. Probably the most famous of these is “Liburndale Estate” built by George Smith-Hall, grandson of George Hall who engineered, helped build and founded Ebenezer Church. This family was responsible for breeding Hall’s Heeler the forerunner of today's Blue Cattle dog.
A little look back into the past working up to the present , where we had and still have great fun on and off the river, with a mix of orchards, ski parks, boat builders, house builders, nurserymen, fishermen, little schools like Sackville school now called Brewongle Field Study Centre but still a place of learning. Just as quaint as it ever was and still hidden in the little unknown place called Sackville where without the presence of shops or public transport life goes on just as it did 150 years ago.
Please don’t feel sorry for us we do have electricity, open fires, acres of timbered land to hide in. Uninterrupted views of the Hawkesbury River and to the Blue Mountains, and the old quill has surrended to the computer, and the lifestyle is still as relaxing as it always was. Now if you wish to venture out and discover this area, make contact with the locals or a Bed and Breakfast, a Ski Park, do some fishing or learn to water ski, visit local wineries, see where the last free range Aborigine lived, go bush walking, horse riding, go karting, grass karting visit some wonderful historical buildings, art galleries, antique shopping or take a relaxing river cruise, or just visit and relax. Come and see us some time in God’s Country.
Directions to Two Rivers Retreat
After leaving Windsor follow the Putty Road to Wilberforce (approximately 5.6 kms). Turn right into King Road where the sign says to “Sackville Ferry”. The ferry is about 9 kms from Wilberforce. The ferry runs 24 hours 7 days a week. Cross the ferry and proceed up the hill to the third street on the left called River Road. River Road is no more than 4.8 kms from the ferry.
Turn left into River Road and go down the winding section to the Dargle Ski Gardens. Follow the road past the Ski Gardens to Cornellia Ski Gardens on the left where River Road makes a right hand turn, continue on for approximately 2 kms. Two Rivers Retreat is located at 751 River Road (about 7.5 kms from the beginning of River Road). As you come down the hill there is a blue sign “Protect Children Drive Slowly” off the road on your left. Take the first driveway and follow to the right (if you reach Lower Portland Ferry you have gone to far, turn around and go back 50 metres.
Look for the sign on the tree beside the driveway (approximately 10 minutes from start of River Road).
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