Hawkesbury
A beautiful historic area with rich culture and unmapped sacred sites on the Hawkesbury river. Only hours out of Sydney at a private and secluded location just waiting to be discovered.
Why choose Hawkesbury?
- Visit ancient rock engravings telling ancient stories
- Explore and learn about First Nations cultural and knowledge on your doorstep
- Spend time amongst the sandstone escarpments along the Hawkesbury River (Deerubbin)
- Learn about bush tucker in the Sydney region from First Nations guides
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - The Journey Begins
- Meet your Red Earth driver and your leader at a Sydney location of your choosing
- Drive to Old Parramatta Gaol to be welcomed by First Nations facilitators from the Deerubbin area
- Discover ancient rock engraving within the gaol walls, and learn about the rich First Nations history of the area
- Continue the journey to the Hawkesbury River, arriving at our destination: Deerubbin
- Gather for a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony with local First Nation facilitators
- Walk the land and learn about the geographical significance and history of the Deerubbin site through the eyes of the local First Nation community
- Settle in and take in the picturesque location
- Dinner with Dreamtime and contemporary First Nations stories by the fire, sleep in the comfort of glamping tents and accommodation
Day 2- Bush Medicine and Bush Tucker Hike
- Travel to a nearby site for a guided hike learning about the geography of the area, traditional bush medicine and bush tucker
- After lunch, it’s fishing time! Try to catch your dinner
- Free time to cool off and swim in the Hawkesbury River
- Enjoy the colours of the evening sunset over the valley
- Join in on a yarning circle by the fire and hear stories from our First Nations hosts
Day 3 - Clap-stick Making and Painting Workshops
- Spend the morning learning the ancient craft of clap-stick making, and learn about their cultural significance for the area
- Learn traditional painting methods and put them into practice on your very own canvas to take home with you
- Prepare for the Departing Ceremony with a special task given to us by our First Nation facilitators
- Free time to enjoy the Hawkesbury River
- Enjoy dinner with Dreamtime and contemporary stories by the fire
Day 4 - Final Day
- Wake up early and walk to the top of the land to see the colours of the sunrise
- Draw a close on your time at Deerubbin with a sacred Departing Ceremony, one you have been preparing for since the beginning of the journey
- Accompany our First Nations hosts to a sacred site unknown to most for a final intimate story about the area
- Final goodbye to community members and your Red Earth leader before your return journey to your initial pick up spot