Windsor to Wiseman's Ferry - 55km
We caught the train to Windsor and left about midday towards the Sackville ferry. Not long after the ferry we turned left onto River Road which followed the Hawekesbury until Wiseman's Ferry. It's a nice ride, undulating but no daunting climbs. There are a lot of water skiers and noisy boats, and a lot of caravan parks beside the river if you want to camp anywhere along there.
An old man who was chatting to us over his front fence recommended we go to Del Rio, which is a "riverside resort" with camping and a bar, not far over the river from the Webbs Creek ferry. It wasn't the most peaceful location, but it did have hot showers and a bar. We were cooking our own, but the bar also did food.
Day 2:
Wiseman's Ferry to Mangrove Mountain - 56km
In the morning we went back over the river on the Webbs Creek ferry, then again on Wiseman's ferry. Wiseman's Ferry Road follows the river downstream for a while until Spencer where we had lunch. Then it leaves the river and heads up Mangrove Creek. This is an OK ride until the road leaves the creek and heads up towards Mangrove Mountain. There are a few kilometres of a constant hard climb before it settles into a bit of an easier climb.
Even though the distance covered was short for a day of riding it did take us most of the day, although we regularly stopping for coffee breaks and the like in the morning.
There's a shop at Mangrove Mountain where we bought a drink and some water and asked about camping. There are no caravan parks or campsites around, but she recommended the football field which was a short ride up the road. This turned out to be ideal - nice grass to pitch on, quiet, and fairly secluded. After a good meal, some wine, and some very tasty scotch supplied by Dan we slept well.
Day 3:
Mangrove Mountain to Brooklyn - 44km
We were quite close to the top of the hill. It's about 4km to Central Mangrove, then almost all downhill from there for the rest of the way. We stopped at Peats Ridge for delicious hot crossed buns and a bad chai latte, then enjoyed a quick downhill run (some of it quite fun) to the Pacific Highway and on down to Brooklyn. At Brooklyn we had a couple of celebratory beers and fish and chips for lunch, before catching the train home.
The route we took for this ride came from http://www.cycleaustralia.info/cycling/hawkesbury.htm. If you look at his google map we followed the main route the entire way. Apparently the side trip he has marked to St Albans is worth it.
Even though there were shops along the route we took most of our food with us as it was Easter, but there wasn't really a need as most shops seemed to be open even on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. I would recommend carrying a fair bit of water. We had no problems refilling in cafes generally, but at Mangrove Mountain (at the top of a long climb) the only water to be found was bought at the shop.
For camping, there are a plethora of caravan parks along the Hawkesbury, but after that nothing. I would recommend the football field we used at Mangrove Mountain (it's on a side road, but signposted from the main road), and other than that there are probably a heap of places you can free camp in Ourimbah State Forest and the like.
It was quite scenic for nearly the entire way. Where we weren't following the river we were either too busy climbing to notice anything, or going through state forest or national parks. There were some great views from the Pacific Highway.
With an early start and a late finish you could easily do this as a two day trip.
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