Pitt Town
Just a 10 minute drive out of Windsor you will find the quiet settlement of Pitt Town, named by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in December 1810. By 1794 settlers were living on the fertile riverbanks between Pitt Reach on the Hawkesbury River and an offshoot of South Creek, known as Pitt Town Bottoms. Macquarie named Pitt Town in memory of William Pitt (1759-1806) the British Prime Minister who was involved in the planning of the colony. The new township was laid out in 1811. Pitt Town now is being developed into an urban centre but much of its history can still be seen. Parts of it will never be developed as it is prone to floods but this flooding ensures fertile lands that continue to be intensively farmed today.
Scattered throughout the village and surrounding streets are many heritage buildings appearing just as they did over one hundred years ago. Bathurst Street alone boasts two historic churches, St James Church of England (1857) and Scots Presbyterian (Uniting) Church (1862).
Other heritage buildings in the town include the famous Bird in Hand Inn (1825), ‘Strathmore’ (1826), Pitt Town Public School (1878), ‘Bona Vista’ (1888) and The Old Manse Farm (c.1819-1821). The Old Manse Farm and its farmland are of state significance in two historical contexts - religion and agriculture. The house is the earliest surviving Australian housing used by clergy. It belonged to Ebenezer Church, situated across and down the river at Ebenezer. This illustrates that the early communities were not divided by the Hawkesbury River but united by it. The fertile lands in Pitt Town - particularly Pitt Town Bottoms (flood plains) - continue to be extensively used for farming and are irrigated by the Hawkesbury River.
Pitt Town and surrounds was also the location for the long running Australian TV series A Country Practice (1981-1993). We can show you where to look for the buildings used within this iconic Australian series.
Close by you will find Scheyville National Park and Longneck Lagoon, a great place for birdwatchers, photographers and walkers. For the water lovers and the adventurous Pitt Town boasts a public boat ramp for the enthusiasts to launch their boats into and out of the river. The boat ramp is located in Punt Road, Pitt Town.
For the golf lovers, on the outskirts of Pitt Town, on the Pitt Town Road, there is the Lynwood Country Club - it has a 72 Par Links-Style layout plus a driving range. Nearby at Cattai is the magnificent Riverside Oaks set in 587 acres with two golf courses. Bungool was rated #35 in Australia's top 100 golf courses in 2017 and Gangurra is an 18 hole Par 72 Championship golf course and regularly rates within the top 100 public access golf courses in Australia.