This tour starts at Richmond Park on the Windsor St. side. In the park is a wooden pavilion that was built in 1883. From behind the park pavilion is a good view of the stables and  side of the original post office. This historic Richmond Post Office was built in 1875, and was used as a post office until 1999.  The Post Office was originally a single storey building until 1888 when a second storey was added. Follow along Windsor St in a westerly direction towards the mountains. Next-door to the post office is the Richmond Court House (1878). Turn left around the courthouse into West Market St. On the right is St. Andrew’s Uniting Church built in 1845. George Bowman, parliamentarian and the first mayor of Richmond donated the land and the cost of construction of the church. In 1877 he contributed to build a tower, install a clock and bell but died 1878 before the installation of the clock.  For a better view of the clock, stand on the opposite side of the street. An obelisk erected in the churchyard is in the memory of Andrew Cameron MD Next-door is St. Andrew’s Church Hall (1860), the first public school in Richmond.  This building is towered by the mansion next door.

The Manse was built in 1881, Rev. Dr. James Cameron resided in this mansion during his time as minister of  St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. A masonry symbol on the façade of the house has the date 1881, and the initials J.C. There have been some alterations to the interior of the building as it has been a community hospital, rest home and a military command post. The house has been extended on the back however the front exterior has had little change. Further down West Market St on the left side is Richmond School of Arts (est. 1861) It was opened in 1866 by the Premier of NSW Sir Henry Parkes, the Father of Federation. Return  back to Windsor St, as you approach the end of West Market street look at the stables behind the two-storey neo-classical High Victorian building on the corner (built in 1880). Turn left and follow Windsor St. in a westerly direction straight through the roundabout. A short distance down the street, on the left, is Bowman Cottage, the earliest cottage still standing in the Hawkesbury Area.  Originally, James Blackman built the cottage on a grant of land of 100 acres. He tried farming the land but due to financial difficulties, he had to sell 40 acres. William Cox foreclosed on the property and George Bowman purchased the cottage in 1818. The cottage is currently(1999) a tea room and National Parks office.

Continue along Windsor St. in a westerly and on the left is St. Peter’s Anglican Church (1841). In 1810 Governor Macquarie chose the site, he wanted the church built on a site that overlooked Pugh’s Lagoon. The church’s architect was Francis Clarke and builder James Atkinson. Although there have been several alterations to the interior of the church, it remains relatively the same since it was built. Bishop Broughton consecrated the church on the 15th July 1841. In the churchyard stands an obelisk erected from some of the bricks rescued from the demolished schoolhouse building. The schoolhouse was also used as a church until the church was built. Take a short walk along the church’s fence and look along the driveway that leads to St. Peter’s Rectory. It is believed to be a copy of an English Rectory. Alterations have changed the appearance of the Rectory. Across the road is St. Peter’s Anglican Cemetery, which was used before the church was built. This cemetery commemorates the burial of first fleeters with a plaque.  Buried in an unmarked grave is Margaret Catchpole who was transported from England on the ship the Nile, and on her arrival she became a servant and mid-wife to local families. A ward at Hawkesbury Hospital is named after her in recognition of her contribution to midwifery.  Follow the path straight to the back of the cemetery. Walk in a westerly direction for a captivating view of Pugh’s Lagoon and the flood plains with the mountains behind.

Now, follow back along Windsor St in an easterly direction and on the left are 313 and 315 Windsor St. that are known as the Eltham and the Cottage (1865). These Victorian town houses were modeled on the earlier colonial houses but influenced by site regulations of the time. Behind the Cottage (now a restaurant) stands a two-storey brick stables that have been converted into a private residence.  Follow Windsor St. in an easterly direction past the park until just before the set of traffic lights is the Royal Hotel (1865). Although the hotel has had numerous alterations, it still remains a building of historical importance in Richmond.

Further along is Toxana (1841) that was built for William Bowman.  After his death, Rev. Dr. Cameron and his wife, Eliza who was the daughter of George Bowman, owned Toxana.  William was a leading citizen and Magistrate in Richmond. He was elected as a Member of the Legislative Council in 1843, defeating Robert Fitzgerald. The Hawkesbury Agriculture College students had used Toxana as accommodation.

Follow Windsor St. and on the corner of Paget St. is number 126 (1850).  This private residence is a cottage that has shuttered French windows and a verandah.  Adjacent to the cottage is Andrew Town’s House that has been restored and converted into a place that holds Wedding Receptions.  In 1878 Andrew Town purchased the property named Hobartville. He bred horses and cattle and on this property Andrew Town contributed to the improvement of bloodstock programmes. In fact, Hobartville still operates as a horse stud.

Turn left into Paget St and follow along. At the end turn right into Francis St.  Follow Francis St until on the left is number 61, a wooden fence with open gates. (Many historic houses in the Hawkesbury District are private residences and please respect their privacy).  From the street there is a good view of Benson House (1840), originally a one-storey house, a second-storey was added later. The Benson Family were shipwrights and  the ship building industry flourished in the area.  Many people in the area would have owned a boat, as in the early settlement of the area there were very few roads. The harvested crops were sent to Sydney by boat.

Opposite Benson house is Burgess St. Follow it along and then turn left into Windsor St. Continue in a westerly direction and on your left you will see the Kamilaroi Gates. The site is now the Richmond Primary School. Mr. B. Richard built a mansion here. It was demolished in the 1960's and all that remains are the gates.  Inscribed in the gates are the initials B.R. that stands for Benjamin Richards.  He first opened a butcher shop but later exported frozen carcasses of lamb to England. The name Kamilaroi is shared with a property he owned in Queensland.

Follow Windsor St. until the intersection with Moray St. Two doors down (no 89) is the Presbyterian Manse built in 1892.  In the same block is St. Monica’s Catholic Church (1859). Bishop Polding laid the foundation stone in January 3rd, 1859 and Father Therry opened the church on May 4th 1859.  The first addition to the church was in 1897 that extended onto the back of the church and the second addition was onto the front in 1954. The middle buttresses on the side of the church are good indicators of the size of the church before the extensions.

Turn next left, into Bourke St. and follow until the next intersection, turn right and a sharp left into Jersey St.  This street follows on from Bourke St.  On the corner of Copeland St notice the surveying stones which are part of the original laying out of the Towns as required by Governor Macquarie. Follow Jersey St. until on the left is the Presbyterian Cemetery (1840). Some well known Richmond historical figures buried here are George Bowman and Dr. Cameron.  From here are views of the mountains across the floodplains. From here one can see how Richmond is built on a hill. Richmond Hill was named by Governor Phillip whilst looking for agricultural land to feed the new settlement of Sydney.  Opposite the cemetery turn down Bowman St, exercise care. Follow this street along for a short distance and then turn right into Pitt St (3rd on the right). At the intersection at the bottom of the street turn left into Windsor Rd and through the grand avenue of liquid amber trees planted for Queen Victoria.

Follow Windsor Rd towards Windsor. On the left is the R.A.A.F. (Royal Australian Air Force) Base. On the right is a picnic area that is a good vantage point to watch planes circling to land and firing-up to take-off. Care should be exercised crossing Windsor Rd to the cycleway that starts just past the tennis courts. This path leads to a kiosk, toilets, bar-b-ques and the Clarendon Tourist Information Centre. Careful, crossing back to the other side of the road from the end of the cycle path to the bike lane that runs along the side of the road.

Cycle for the next 5 km, passing the Rum Corps Convention Center which is the site of the Rum Corps barracks. The regiment was nicknamed the Rum Corps as they dominated the economy and the currency was effectively rum. Turn left into Moses St at the top of the hill and on the left is St. Matthew’s Anglican Church. In 1817 Governor Macquarie contracted John Kitchen to build the church. After several complaints about workmanship, the partially built church was demolished.  The new architect contracted to design the church was Francis Greenway and the builder, William Cox.  This church is open for inspection on most days and a booklet is on sale in the church foyer.  Inside the church is the oldest working organ in Australia. King George IV donated the clock to the church.  This church has stained glass windows that are best seen in the afternoon. In the cemetery surrounding the church contains the Tebbutt Mausoleum.  In 1969 the St, Matthew’s Parish Council declared that there would be no new graves permitted in the churchyard unless previously acquired, as the remaining ground is not suitable for grave site internments.
Opposite on the right, is McQuade Park where a modern bronze statue of Governor Macquarie stands.

On the left is St. Matthew’s Rectory that is a two-storey Georgian House that Rev. Samuel Marsden died in on a visit in 1838. Above the front door is a fanlight that is worth a photograph. Behind the Rectory is the stables that are made of the same material as the Rectory. The importance of horses at the time as a mode of transport can be seen by the quality of the stables. Follow Moses St. and then Tebbutt St. Number 2 is Fitzroy Cottage (1879).  This cottage has lace iron columns on the front verandah.  Next door is a weatherboard and number 6 is a brick cottage., all three are of early architectural note.

Across Little Church St is St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. According to legend Rev. Samuel Marsden, a Church of England Minister, ordered that the convicts must attend mass at St. Matthew’s, so the Catholic Community built a Catholic Church named, St. Matthew’s. For this reason there are two St. Matthew’s churches in Windsor. Bishop Polding opened the St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in 1840. This church is still consecrated and still used for Mass and church activities. In the interior of the church is a cedar-panelled ceiling. On the right front stands an altar that was originally used but it had to be cut down as white ants had attacked it. The McQuade Family donated the pipe organ that is located in the choir loft at the back of the church.

After visiting the church go back Tebbutt St and turn into Little Church St.  This street has cottages on the left that gives an idea of the type of housing that prevailed in the 1840’s. Pedal down the street and on the right corner is the Bell Inn (private) that took four years to build from 1841.  The house adjacent to the end of the street has wooden poles supporting the verandah. Turn left into Catherine St. and right at the roundabout into the Terrace. The first house on the right is Crescentville (1851). This house was built in a Colonial Georgian style.  From the street the stables can be seen beside the house. Pedal down hill along The Terrace and on the left is Howe Park that has beautiful views of the Hawkesbury River.  This park has toilets and picnic tables.

When Governor Philip explored the Hawkesbury River in 1789 looking for fertile land to grow crops, he found evidence of a native population. Traps for birds were observed along the river. Farmers whilst ploughing have found stone flakes and other tools that were used by Aboriginals. The Aboriginals that lived in this area were the Dharug.
In 1794 Governor Grose granted land for first 22 farms each of 30 acres. These land grants improved the availability of food but during floods most crops were destroyed and food was scarce. In 1810 Governor Macquarie re-sited the towns of the Hawkesbury to higher ground as floods destroyed crops and property. The towns he planned were Richmond, Windsor, Wilberforce, Pitt Town and Castlereagh. Windsor was known as Green Hills but was renamed after the Windsor area in Britain due to its similar landscape. The Hawkesbury Area was vital in the survival of the colony in providing food and the Hawkesbury still plays an important role in the supply of produce for the Sydney Market.

At the end of the Terrace turn right into Baker St, left at the top into George St and then left to Thompson Square. On the left is the Macquarie Arms (1815) leased for five years from 1835 and became the officers’ mess of the West Kent Regiment.  Governor Macquarie requested Fitzgerald build an inn and this is the oldest hotel in Australia still trading in its original building. Thompson Square  was named after Andrew Thompson an early pioneer that came out as convict and became a magistrate. The Hawkesbury Historical Society holds re-enactment activities, for further information about these activities telephone (02) 45 772310 or call into the  Hawkesbury Museum of Local History(1820) just near Thompson Square. The museum is worth an inspection as it has some early Hawkesbury memorabilia. The museum has a window dedicated to John Tebbutt.  The museum is also a  Tourist Information Centre.  Originally the building was the Daniel O’Connell Inn that held the 1847 Bachelor Ball where the polka was danced for the first time in Windsor.

Walk your bikes through the park opposite the Hawkesbury Museum and join the road at George St OR follow George St and turn right at the roundabout and travel away from the river towards the South Creek bridge past the old School Of Arts (now a music shop) on your left. Follow along until just past the set of traffic lights, turn left into Court St, cross onto the footpath that leads down beside the bridge to the Toll House (1814). It was erected as the first bridge across South Creek.  The original Toll House was destroyed in the flood of 1864.  This building was erected in 1864 and collected tolls until 1887. The Toll House design allowed the toll keeper a clear view of both approaches without opening the door.

Follow the path back and turn into Court St. On the corner with Pitt St. is the Windsor Courthouse (1822). It was designed by Francis Greenway and built by William Cox.  In the 1800’s the Courthouse uses varied from church services, entertainment, public meetings to election campaigns.  Upstairs there is a public gallery and a view of the courtroom.  On the left are the jury boxes and the magistrate’s bench is in the front of the courtroom.  This historic courthouse still operates as a court.  Originally, a portrait of Governor Macquarie hung behind the Magistrates Bench but was moved after a fiery public meeting  where eggs were thrown at the speaker. They missed him and hit the portrait. After the portrait was cleaned, it was placed in a safer position, behind the jury boxes. Behind the courthouse was an area set aside for convict hangings and also there was a gaol, which has been demolished.

Follow Court street; it changes its name to North St. On the corner of North St. And Arndell St. is the Peninsula Inn (1845). This two-storey house dominates the other single storey cottages in the area.  This house has fairy martins, often known as mud swallows, nesting under the eaves.  Follow North St, the street is lined with what are known as the North St. Cottages (1840-1860). The National Trust rescued these mostly single-storey Victorian cottages. These are private residences. At the end of North St turn right into Palmer St and the Tebbutt Observatory can be seen from here.

Follow Palmer St. and turn left into a dirt road that leads to John Tebbutt’s Observatories. John Tebbutt was born in 1834 in Windsor.  On the family property Tebbutt built a small observatory, which in 1863 was demolished.  In 1879 he built another observatory and in 1896 a more substantial observatory was built to house a larger telescope.  John Tebbutt contributed to early pioneer astronomy.  His observations and sightings are recognised worldwide.  For recognition of his contribution to astronomy he has had a lunar crater named after him. Also, on the first issue Australian $100 note is John Tebbutt with his observatories in the background.  In addition, John Tebbutt designed the family mausoleum and he is buried at  St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Windsor.  In the Hawkesbury Museum (Thompson Square) there is more information and memorabilia on John Tebbutt.

Return to Palmer St. and follow along and turn left into North St. and right into Arndell St. past the Swallow Inn, on the right is a slab barn of interest. At the top of the street turn left into George St and notice the sign on the right marking the site of Government House (circa 1798). Follow through the roundabout at Thompson Square along George St. To return to Richmond turn right into Baker St and left onto the Terrace. There are now options. To go back the way you came and for safety, at the end of the Terrace turn left into Tebbutt  St. and right into Macquarie St and at the set of lights turn right into Richmond Rd. Follow Richmond Rd back to Richmond.
Another return option is to follow onto Moses St and turn right down Greenway Cres
alongside St Mathews  and follow Cornwallis Lane through the lowlands back to Richmond (see Cornwallis Rd tour).
Happy cycling.

Duration:  3 hrs
Fitness;     average, medium
Distance:   15 kms
Paths:        some cycle way , some bikelane, some shared road