The common denominator is the Hawkesbury River and the
wonders of the Hawkesbury valley. It's the same old river
that saw the old "Eringal and the MV Sackville
service the folk who lived along the river. Today we don't
see that sort of craft along the river but the friendly
people are still here, so are the beautiful old buildings
and churches and the lifestyle is still very much relaxed
as it was in yesteryear, Sackville and its close
surrounding area have some fascinating walks, complete
with wallabies, flying foxes, sugar gliders, platypus and
the occasional wombat. There remains nearby one of the
last pockets of rain forest where bellbirds are heard and
the magnificent Satin Bower bird abound. Also the remains
of convict roads some of which are still used today pass
magnificent sandstone homesteads. Probably the most famous
of these is "Lilburndale Estate" built by George
Smith-Hall, grandson of George Hall who engineered, helped
build and founded Ebenezer Church. This family was
responsible for breeding Hall's Heeler the forerunner of
today's Blue Cattle dog.
A little look back into the past working up to the
present, where we had and still have great fun on and off
the river, with a mix of orchards, ski parks, boat
builders, house builders, nurserymen, fishermen, little
schools like Sackville school now called Brewongle Field
Study Centre but still a place of learning. Just as quaint
as it ever was and still hidden in the little unknown
place called Sackville where without the presence of shops
or public transport life goes on just as it did 150 years
ago.
Please don't feel sorry for us we do have electricity,
open fires, acres of timbered land to hide in.
uninterrupted views of the Hawkesbury River and to the
Blue Mountains, and the old quill has surrendered to the
computer, and the lifestyle is still as relaxing as it
always was. Now if you wish to venture out and discover
this area, make contact with the locals or a bed and
breakfast, a ski park, do some fishing or lean to water
ski, visit a local winery, see where the last free range
Aborigine lived, go on a guided bush walk or river cruise,
or just visit and relax. Come and see us some time in
God's Country,
