ACCOMMODATION in Wisemans Ferry & St Albans

Tobruk Sheep Station Homestead

Tobruk Homestead AccommodationAddress: 5050 Old Northern Road, Maroota
Phone: 02 4566 8223

The Station Homestead which sleeps 12 comfortably exudes a warm country charm and ambience you would expect from an authentic country residence. Set amidst the spacious Tobruk grounds, the homestead is modern and spacious with a wrap around balcony overlooking the dam and horse paddocks. We visited early one spring morning – the beauty and quiet were amazing. Tiny lambs, perhaps only weeks old, chased their mums seeking breakfast as the world around them began to stir.

Opportunities for fun seem limitless with bush walks, bike riding and feeding the animals high on our list. And as darkness overtook us, a campfire and toasting marshmallows seemed like an end to a perfect day.

The Retreat at Wisemans Ferry

Wisemans Ferry RetreatAddress: 5564 Old Northern Road, Wisemans Ferry
Phone: 02 4566 4422

“It’s a 4-Green Star getaway”, declares AAA Tourism. The Retreat is environmentally green – an important consideration – but you won’t compromise on comfort here.

The Retreat overlooks the Hawkesbury River and is situated on almost 50 acres at the edge of the Wisemans Ferry hamlet. The moment you step onto the grounds, you are surrounded by green, a rolling landscape of the nine-hole golf course, elegant palm trees, manicured lawns and flowering shrubs. It’s serene and its tranquillity is only interrupted by a noisy cockatoo, an offcourse pelican, or a mid-week beachfront volleyball game – a popular activity with the conference crowd. Tennis courts, a saltwater pool, an exercise room and massage and beauty salon are among the amenities.

The chef at Riverbend purchases many of his ingredients from local Hawkesbury suppliers. Food is fresh and tasty and seasonal – we sampled a patio lunch on a perfect spring day. Thus Riverbend, while reducing the number of “food miles” travelled to reach the plate, offers an interesting menu that changes with the seasons.

Del Rio Riverside Resort at Wisemans Ferry

Del Rio Resort at Wisemans Ferry
Address: Chaseling Road, Webb’s Creek, Wisemans Ferry
Phone: 02 4566 4330

Del Rio Resort, a holiday playground, is similar to the Club Med™ model offering a range of accommodation styles, a bistro, a fully licensed sports club, a variety of recreational activities and a kids’ club – all in a single beautiful riverfront location. 

The grounds are spacious and green from the entrance down to the boat ramps. They are well maintained, well groomed and uncluttered. The sporting and food facilities have been well designed and to ensure that a holiday is great fun for families, couples or singles, a set of common-sense rules with regard to “dress, drink and noise” apply.

The staff are quite helpful and will provide advice on things to do and see in the area – there are a number of great bushwalks nearby, some are the habitat for Rock Wallaby, Glossy Black Cockatoo and the occasional reptile.

Carinya Ski Ranch at Wisemans Ferry

Carinya Ski Ranch at Wisemans FerryAddress:2720 River Road
Wisemans Ferry
Phone: 02 4566 4280

Waterfront Carinya Ranch is a non-residential caravan park and waterski resort 3km along River Road from the centre of Wisemans Ferry. Campers, caravans and day-skiers are welcomed. The resort is gated and the grounds beautifully maintained.  Like a giant umbrella, a chain of dappled leafy trees stand alongside the riverbank beach where boats of various shapes and colours anchor and holiday-makers of various shapes and sizes take refuge from the sun.

The recently upgraded café is open to guests for all meals including that afternoon pick-me-up: cappuccino and cake. As tempting aromas float out across the river, sunburned and hungry day-boaters also navigate their way to the café for hamburgers, chips, salads or some other delectable. 

NSW Ski Park

NSW Ski Park on the HawkesburyAddress: 2916 River Road
Wisemans Ferry
Phone: 02 4566 4212

Set alongside the river, NSW Ski Park is only a kilometre from Wisemans Ferry village, just past Webbs Creek Ferry. 

The park is quite casual and has caravan and camping facilities in a rustic and shady setting. Only a few cabins with toilets are available and showers are located with group amenities. Dogs are allowed, but must be kept under strict control. Picnic and barbecue facilities are on site and a weekend kiosk serves hot items, soft drinks and ice-cream. 

The facility is popular with waterskiers, fishermen, and those who want a budget-minded holiday on the river.

Accommodation in St Albans

Court House Guesthouse

Courthouse Retreat AccommodationAddress: 19 Upper Macdonald Road
St Albans
Phone: 02 4568 2042
(self-contained accommodation)

Situated high above the river, The Court House overlooks beautiful rolling hills and the valley below. The setting is magnificent, and this elegant guesthouse is a stunner.

Rooms are spacious with tall ceilings and timber floors. Outfitted tastefully with overstuffed leather furnishings, substantial beds and a large kitchen, the only reminder that its original life was a courthouse and jail (c.1890) is the bar-covered windows. The beautifully appointed bathrooms were originally jail cells. Today they have heated floors. The patio overlooking the valley was originally the exercise area for “guests” of the jail. Today’s guests enjoy a wood-burning fireplace, comfortable seating and a great place to socialise. 

The Courthouse sleeps eight and is a perfect place for a senior staff getaway – perhaps a strategic planning session. Imagine an intimate wedding party, or, a reunion of friends in this beautiful secluded valley.

Court House Hometead B&B

Courthouse Retreat Accommodation Address: 19 Upper Macdonald Road
St Albans
Phone: 02 4568 2042

The Homestead B&B is a discreet distance from the Guesthouse on the wooded hill and looks out to the same beautiful Macdonald Valley.  The concept of the B&B is similar to that of an 1800s homestead – a traveller makes his way to St Albans, driving the herd (cattle) to market and a local homestead is the only accommodation. The host welcomes him and the wise wayfarer knows to leave his boots at the door! Early next morning, a hearty breakfast is set out family-style. Fed and rested, the grateful stranger thanks his hosts, pulls on his boots and goes on his way. 

Now, it’s the 21st century and you’ve made your way to quiet secluded St Albans for a day's outing. But, after a bottle of wine and a substantial dinner at a nearby local eatery, an overnight stay at the Courthouse B&B sounds perfect and wise. Rooms with ensuite and private entry are available and the following morning, breakfast is served on the verandah with a stunning view.  Don’t forget to leave your boots at the door! (The Courthouse Homestead B&B is only a short walk from the Settlers Inn pub.)

Price Morris Cottage

Price Morris AccommodationAddress: 37 Upper Macdonald Road
St Albans
Phone: 02 4568 2121
(self-contained accommodation)

The Price Morris Cottage experience is truly “only one of its kind.”

Yes, it is a heritage-listed building, but beyond its loving restoration, the delightful welcome by a 19th century host (reenacted by Joyce Morris Stepto) is so personal that we immediately felt at home in this serene setting. (We won’t disclose the welcoming secret!)

The cottage is an 1837 slab farm cottage with low calico ceilings (to trap the fireplace warmth in the parlour), petite sleeping rooms for eight, and a large family kitchen separated by a breezeway from the sleeping rooms and parlour. (Each room in the main house has its story to tell.)

A separate building contains shower, vanity and toilet, and an additional adjoining building was converted to a ”modern convenience” and with good Australian humour is referred to as, “the loo with a view”. The recently restored cottage sits high above the river and the lengthy verandah offers endless views out across the valley, changing minute by minute as the sun moves across the sky.  You will come away restored and refreshed.
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