HAWKESBURY HIGHLANDS - THE VILLAGE ALONG BELLS LINE OF ROAD

Hawkesbury Highlands: Kurmond, Kurrajong Village, Kurrajong Heights, Bilpin, Berambing and finally, Mount Tomah. Mountain peaks, shale and basalt walls, precipitous sandstone gorges, dense forests of gum trees, farms with white fences and apple orchards veiled with mesh - all are part of a luscious naturescape.

Hawkesbury Highlands map of Kurrajong Heights, Kurrajong and Bilpin

The Hawkesbury Highlands Apple country, Berambing and Bilpin sit a few kilometres below Mount Tomah. Orchards, random roadside produce stands and weatherboard cafés are solitary signs of activity. Surrounded by the bushland of the National Park, they appear as remnants or reminders of the Hawkesbury's early settler days.

The fruit stands, often a combination of café and market, give off the fragrance of tantalising sweet juice and apples picked that morning. But the aroma of freshly baked pies, dusted lightly with icing sugar, is the devious Pied Piper of the Highlands' cafés, and on a winter day it is a Herculean effort to walk away without a warm pie in each hand!

From Kurrajong Heights the road begins its "hold-your-breath" descent down to Kurrajong Village. Watch carefully for the only right-hand turn into "Old Bells Line of Road" and the village. It may take you by surprise. A right-hand turn is not allowed at the recently installed traffic lights on Bells Line of Road.

Kurrajong Village is in keeping with a traditional village where we find churches and graveyards, a school and shops needed for everyday life. The village satisfies that combination of tourist and local trade, and weekends see a mix of both unwinding in a café over morning tea or lunch and enjoying the view out to the rolling hills. Traffic slows and life seems more relaxed here, as Old Bells Line of Road curves through clusters of craft shops, cafés, restaurants and an antique centre.

Restaurants are often at capacity, so evening bookings are advised. One sophisticated restaurant presents frequently changing exhibitions - oils, acrylics, watercolours, jewellery or exquisite pottery - and offers Friday evening musical entertainment. Most have alfresco dining until winter takes hold. Note: most local restaurants close on either Monday or Tuesday.
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