School holidays are nearly here, so it’s time to plan what to do, where to go and how to keep the kids busy.

There’s nothing better than getting away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and into that fresh country air. It’s a chance for the kids to release some energy and have fun, and best of all put down those devices!

We might just have the answer- A country experience right on Sydney’s doorstep. Yes, the Hawkesbury is the perfect place. A day trip is great but with so much to see and do here why not stay for a while - overnight or even longer. Parents just think – the kids will be in bed early so you can enjoy some quiet time or even head to bed early yourself. Bliss either way.

The Hawkesbury has a wide variety of attractions and experiences perfect for family adventure. Parklands, paintball, go karting, ten pin bowling, local swimming pools, mini golf, bushwalking, seasonal fruit picking, find an ice cream, wander the shops along Windsor Mall or the Sunday Market.

Check out the ‘What’s On’ page to find events and activities during your stay. There’s something for everyone and plenty of things to do to burn off that energy. A school holiday favorite  is the Australiana Pioneer Village, set on 27 acres on the Hawkesbury riverbank, is a historic collection of working buildings and an awesome location for a family adventure.

There are a variety of accommodation styles suited to families throughout the Hawkesbury area, each with their own unique activities and the region’s attractions close by. Consider B&B, farm stay, country cottages, guest houses, motels, hotels, caravanning, camping and even houseboats. Whatever option you choose it is bound to be a memorable experience. See all the Hawkesbury accommodation options.

Some accommodation venues are even pet friendly so you can bring your furry friends with you. These are marked by a paw icon on the accommodation listings on the Discover the Hawkesbury website. Check with each operator directly for details about pet friendly stays. The area has some pet friendly dining locations available as well as on leash parks and walks. To find out more about visiting with pets contact the Hawkesbury Visitor Information Centre or view the pet friendly Hawkesbury flyer.

A farm stay is a great family friendly option. What could be better than experiencing farm life first hand? In the Hawkesbury you will be still so close to cafes, shops, heritage pubs, cellar doors, cider sheds and Bilpin’s Apple Pie Trail, you won’t miss out on those creature comforts of home.

Some popular farm stays include:

Dido’s Place in East Kurrajong, a spacious 4 bedroom house in a bushland setting with 9 acres to explore and plenty of outdoor activities to keep the kids busy including table tennis, cricket, footgolf, trampoline, archery, croquet, and a telescope to gaze at the stars.

Madison’s Mountain Retreat in Kurrajong Heights offers an Alpaca farm stay with self-contained cottages. There’s plenty of open space and the kids can play in the cubby house, swim in an indoor pool, play tennis, ride their bikes, collect eggs and feed the alpacas and goats.

Eden Farm Escape at Bilpin is a dog friendly option offering self-contained cabins and 90 acres to explore. Ride bikes on trails, book a horse ride, play the oversized chess game, collect eggs and meet the animals – alpacas, cows, donkeys, goats, pig and sheep.

Bilpin Country Lodge is a pet friendly country house / farm stay that sleeps up to 20. Plenty to do including trampoline, basketball, pool table, table tennis, bushwalks and interacting with the farm animals.

If caravanning or camping is more your thing, the Hawkesbury has some options on offer, great for the whole family. See the camping and holiday park options.

Maybe being on the water is more your style? Able Hawkesbury River Houseboats at Wiseman’s Ferry offer a range of houseboats for your unique family stay. It’s a perfect solution to get out of the city and have a real family holiday.

So…don’t delay, avoid disappointment. The Hawkesbury is waiting for you to arrive.

Be sure to stop in at the Hawkesbury Visitor Information Centre where we can give you all the information you need to enjoy your family stay or check out the Discover the Hawkesbury website for more accommodation ideas, dining and attractions.

There’s plenty of info to help you plan your Hawkesbury school holiday family stay for this school holidays or the next.

See you soon!