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The Hawkesbury region is set for a major tourism and recreation boost with a stunning new walking and cycling trail due to open in December 2025. The trail forms the first major completed stage of the ambitious 450-kilometre Great River Walk, which will eventually follow the entire Hawkesbury River system from its source near Crookwell all the way to the sea at Broken Bay.
The Great River Walk aims to highlight one of Australia’s most scenic and historically significant landscapes, connecting visitors with sweeping river views, rich cultural heritage, and a network of outdoor experiences. Once complete, it will join the ranks of iconic long-distance walks linked to Sydney, including the Great North Walk and the Great West Walk.
A Spectacular Route Through History
This newly opened stage takes walkers and cyclists through some of the Hawkesbury’s most breathtaking features the river scenery near Wisemans Ferry, the World Heritage-listed precinct in Dharug National Park, and remnants of the early road to the Central Coast built in the late 1820s.
The route is expected to become a major drawcard for visitors, with local businesses in Wisemans Ferry set to benefit from increased foot traffic, overnight stays, and trail-based tourism. The track can be enjoyed as a two or three-day walking experience, with camping and accommodation available along the way including the famously haunted Wisemans Inn.
Rediscovering the Hawkesbury
Despite its beauty, the Hawkesbury Estuary has long been overlooked as a recreational hub for Sydneysiders. Many in the walking and cycling community see the Great River Walk as a long-awaited opportunity to reintroduce the region’s natural and historical wonders to outdoor enthusiasts.
By weaving together riverbanks, heritage sites, forests, and small communities, the trail is designed to showcase the full character of the Hawkesbury from its rugged bushland and sandstone ridges to its quiet, rural settlements.
More Stages on the Horizon
The December opening is only the beginning. Plans are already in motion to extend the walk east toward Brooklyn and west toward Windsor, gradually completing a river-spanning route that organisers hope will become one of Australia’s signature long-distance trails.
Find out more
Walkers and cyclists can explore maps, directions, facility locations, trail notes, and local history as well as check weather and track conditions at the following link
- bushwalk.com/j/KXV7MX
For those interested in the background of the Great River Walk project, including the story of the first full end-to-end walk, more information is available by emailing:
grwtrack@gmail.com
