In July and August, various tourism operators throughout the North-West Region of Sydney have flagged their intention to join forces across council boundaries to establish a leading industry group that can assist in the increase of tourism business for this area.
Finalists for the 2006 HAWKESBURY EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARDS have been announced and the winners will be presented at the awards dinner on Friday 3rd November.
One of the best ways to appreciate the significance of the Botanists Way within the mountains landscape is to take lots of side-trips along the way. From the central route a series of short detours to either the north or south of the Bell Range can open up dramatically different landscapes and a variety of plants and animals. 4WD trails, walking trails and cycling trails and lookouts with breathtaking views are dotted along the entire length of the Botanists Way – and well worth the visit.
The Botanists Way is a new themed tourist drive which has been developed along the Bells Line of Road, connecting Windsor to Lithgow across the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, to showcase the historical, heritage and botanical significance of this area in the settlement and development of New South Wales.
George Caley (1770-1829) was an ambitious man from humble origins who with skill and determination became an expert in Australian plants and animals. He lived in Australia between 1800 and 1810, working as a collector for the ‘father of Australian botany’, Sir Joseph Banks.
The area of the Botanists Way has been a treasure trove for many other past and present scientific explorers. Many local plants are named after botanists who collected in this area, between the Hawkesbury and Lithgow. Some of the most notable of these botanists are described below.
Hawkesbury Regional Tourism (Formally Tourism Hawkesbury Inc.) was incorporated in December 1988. Our members are predominantly a mix of small and large tourism operators and related small businesses. A Board of 7 Volunteer Directors are elected every second year from the membership & controls the business of Hawkesbury Regional Tourism.
The Botanists Way traverses the traditional Country of several Aboriginal language groups. These localities boundaries may have changed over time. The Botanists Way links Darug areas in the east to Wiradjuri country in the west, whilst also passing through or skirting Darkinjung lands (north-east) and Gundungurra traditional tribal country in the south-west".
