Aboriginal people called it Deerubbun. Today we know it as the Hawkesbury River. This majestic river is more than just a body of water. It’s a vital thread in the tapestry of Sydney’s history and natural beauty.
The Hawkesbury River begins at the meeting of the Nepean and Grose Rivers. It winds its way for 120 kilometers. The Hawkesbury flows in a north-easterly and then south-easterly direction. Finally, it empties into Broken Bay near the Tasman Sea.
For the Aboriginal peoples, including the Darkinjung, Darug, Eora, and Kuringgai, the Hawkesbury River was life. They used it for food and trade. The river was a source of fish and mussels. Yams grew plentifully along its banks. The Hawkesbury provided stones for axes and pebbles for tools.
In 1789, two expeditions charted the Hawkesbury and Nepean Rivers. It took three years to realize it was one system. The Hawkesbury River became a key battleground. It was a site of conflict between the British and Indigenous clans from the 1780s to 1810s.
The Hawkesbury River played a crucial role in transporting food to Sydney in the 1800s. Boats waited in Broken Bay and Pittwater for calm seas to sail to Sydney Heads. The railway’s arrival in Windsor in 1864 changed things. Farm produce moved upriver for train transport. However, silt buildup by the 1880s made Sackville the head of navigation for sea vessels. Coastal steamers connected Sackville to Sydney until the late 19th century.
Governor Phillip named the Hawkesbury River in 1789. He honored Charles Jenkinson, Baron Hawkesbury. An obelisk stands in Brooklyn to mark this naming. In 1794, land grants at Bardenarang, now Pitt Town Bottoms, were given to 22 families.
The Hawkesbury River is navigable from Windsor to the sea. Tides influence the river as far inland as Windsor. Though road transport has replaced river trade, the Hawkesbury remains essential. It is the only access to remote homes and communities. Australia’s last riverboat postman delivers mail between Brooklyn and Spencer.
The Hawkesbury River hosts the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. This is a 111 km race from Windsor to Brooklyn. The Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic runs the opposite way. Commercial fishing thrives here. The Hawkesbury River estuary supports a valuable coastal fishery.
Imagine the riverbanks echoing with the voices of the Darug people. Hear the splash of paddles as they navigate their bark canoes. Picture the early settlers, working to cultivate the fertile land. Feel the hope and hardship of a colony finding its feet. The Hawkesbury River is a story etched in water and earth. It is a living reminder of the past.