ATTRACTIONS MOONEY MOONEY NSW

The Riverboat Postman - an iconic cruise just one hour from the centre of Sydney - delivering the mail to river residents on behalf of Australia Post (as well as other daily essentials like milk, papers, the odd bottle of rum). Enjoy morning tea and lunch on board, complete with an entertaining and informative commentary from the local skippers. Departing Brooklyn Public Wharf at 10am each weekday, returning at about 1.15pm, you'll find them right next to the Hawkesbury River Train Station at Brooklyn. The direct train from Central Station in Sydney departs 8.45am, usually platform 12. The boats are large, stable and comfortable catamarans, each with a well-stocked bar on board so you can have a glass of wine or beer with your lunch. Bookings are essential for catering purposes, but payment is made on the day of travel. They look forward to welcoming you on board soon.

The Patonga to Pearl Beach walking track follows the Great North Walk through the beautiful red gums of Brisbane Water National Park. Bring your swimmers and a towel – this walk begins and ends on a beach, with plenty of opportunity for a refreshing dip or a spot of fishing. From the end of Patonga Beach, follow signs to the national park. You can head to Warrah Trig from here, while following the steep trail up and over the hill will take you past the spectacular Warrah lookout with views of Hawkesbury River and Pacific Ocean. Pause for a snack, then return to the fire trail, following the Pearl Beach signs past sandstone caves with a natural hanging garden of native ferns. Be sure to keep an eye out for bush turkeys and an ear open for kookaburras. Your exit is marked at Crystal Avenue. Follow the sounds of crashing waves to find a beautiful stretch of sand on the edge of the bush. You can enjoy a picnic, or take advantage of the small cafes nearby....

Located in the northern outskirts of Sydney, Muogamarra Nature Reserve is an extraordinary place, and it’s easy to see why. It's open around spring time for just six weekends a year to preserve the fragile ecosystems and Aboriginal heritage, transforming into a brilliant display of colour when spring wildflowers come into bloom. When you visit Muogamarra, you’ll see majestic angophoras, old-man banksias, pink boronias and delicate native orchids. The reserve is also home to many native animals like the iconic echidna, and for birdwatchers there's plenty of birdlife to see. Look up to catch a glimpse of a soaring wedge-tail eagle or keep an eye ahead for a lyrebird. To visit Muogamarra Nature Reserve, join a Discovery tour and hear the secrets of Muogamarra from our volunteer guides. See Aboriginal rock engravings and learn about the area's significance on a Muogamarra Indigenous heritage walk. Or if you'd prefer to take things at your own pace, simply pack a picnic and a pair of binoculars and take in spectacular views on a self-guided walk. If you're interested in taking a self-guided walk, phone Kalkari Discovery Centre to get more information on walking track options....

Warrah lookout offers spectacular views across Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River, making this a great spot to visit all year round. Put your eyes to the test and see if you can make out the finer details of Broken Bay inlet in the distance. The rustle of the eucalyptus trees around you and the lapping of the waves below will provide the perfect soundtrack for your visit. Did you know waratahs are the state emblem for New South Wales? You won’t want to miss their stunning late-winter bloom on display at Warrah lookout. Known as Waratah Patch by locals, this is one of the best places in the park to see these fiery-red flowers. Although the track to the lookout has steps and some rough ground, it is an easy and short walk from the carpark....

Ever dreamt of completing the legendary Great North walk? Why not try a taster, without wearing out your walking boots? Great North walk - Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a challenging section that winds through dense bushland within the park. Starting from Cowan Train Station, it’s not just the scenic wilderness views that will take your breath away. It’s definitely a track for the experienced bushwalker. Descending steeply, you’ll hardly believe you’re only an hour from the centre of Sydney. The track leads past the ruins of Rhodes boatshed and on to Jerusalem Bay. Stop here for a break and take in the spectacular views over Cowan Water before tacking the hard climb to Brooklyn. You might be in need of a beverage or two at the pub before catching the train at Hawkesbury River Train Station. Continue your Great North walk exploration by linking with Great North walk – Berowra Valley National Park towards Sydney or continue north along Great North walk - Brisbane Water National Park....

Pearl Beach is a small coastal village only 90 minutes from Sydney. Secluded from the busy Central Coast, it is popular for swimming, bushwalking, rock fishing and beachside cafes. Set amongst the bushland of Brisbane Waters National Park, Pearl Beach is a popular holiday destination with a beautiful sandy beach. ...

This cycling loop takes in the best the national park has to offer, crossing several fire trails and pausing for scenic views at Warrah lookout. With so much ground to cover, feel free to do as much or as little as you like. Be sure to make time for birdwatching though, or a relaxing picnic lunch among the famous wildflowers. And keep an eye out for animals – with 270 native species in the park, there’s a good chance you’ll come across at least a kangaroo, and maybe even a koala. Start at Warrah Trig and pedal furiously to Patonga Drive. Tear down Sani Depot and Van Dahls trails, admiring the wildflowers that are scattered along the way. Once you get back to Patonga Drive, you’ll tackle an exciting downhill run to beautiful Pearl Beach, where the Patonga trail will lead you to the Warrah lookout and spectacular views up Hawkesbury River. If hiking is more your style, check out the nearby Patonga to Pearl Beach walking track....