Delicious. On Tour: Hawkesbury Region

Make an easy escape from Sydney for the rewards of the Hawkesbury.  

Phoebe Wood, Delicious Food Director and her crew stayed at the Homestead at Cross Park. They made the most of the region, really got to know the property and explored the foodie heaven The Hawkesbury Region has become. 

Being Sydney's largest and oldest food basin, Delicious explored the best of the best - all within just an hour of Sydney. 

Interacting with the horses and relaxing by the pool - the crew had chance to get a bit of downtime at the end of a busy day of filming. They even had chance to fit in a kayak along the 3 kilometres of riverfront access at Cross Park. 

During their time in the region, they tried everything from artisan cheese making to apple picking and local cider as well as a paddock to plate dining experience. 

Read the article and watch the video on the link below

Here's where they visited: 

Willowbrae Chevre Cheese, Wilberforce

For goats cheese lovers, Willowbrae is nearby and has some of the best goats cheese you'll find anywhere in Australia. Their hand-crafted cheeses are renowned for their sweetness and fresh, crisp and clean flavour on the palette.

Cheese maker Karen Borg, and her daughter Kate have a passion and a commitment to produce only the finest quality cheeses. Meanwhile, husband David looks after the Dairy where 100 goats are milked twice daily.

They began producing cheese fourteen years ago, trading their corporate lives for five acres, two Toggenburg dairy goats, and one cheese-making book. 

Find Willowbrae Cheese at: Putty Rd, Wilberforce, NSW 2756. www.willowbraechevreche

Cooks co-op in Sacksville

Head chef and owner Martin Boetz uses all local produce. His view of the region is that we have "an abundance of food, right on the doorstep of Sydney. We have first class soil right along the river, perfect for growing food."

The Cooks Co-Op focuses on sustainable farming, the distribution and promotion of quality chef grade produce and, importantly, educating the chefs of Sydney on how to work with high quality seasonal produce.

It's a fabulous paddock to plate restaurant which celebrates local and in season Hawkesbury produce.

Find The Cooks Co-Op at: 2 West Portland Road Sackville, NSW 2756, www.cooksco-op.com

Pine Crest Orchard in Bilpin

Pick your own fresh fruit such as nectarines, peaches, plums, pears, berries and nuts. And of course don't forget the apples! 

There is no admission fee, just pay for what you pick. Children staying at Cross Park love to get involved with picking their own fruit. 

A family run business for more than 40 years, owner John Galbraith is an orchardist and horticulturalist.

Find Pine Crest Orchard at: 2549 Bells Line of Rd, Bilpin NSW 2758. www.pinecrestorchard.com.au

Bilpin Cider

Owner Sean Prendergrast feels the Hawkesury region lends itself to agricultural produce. Tourism came from people going apple picking, now they can enjoy the finished product at Bilpin Cider. 

Australians have been enjoying Bilpin apples and Bilpin apple juice since the early part of the last Century and now Bilpin Cider Company has put Bilpin Cider on the radar. 

Find Bilpin Cider at: 2369 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin NSW 2758. www.bilpincider.com

The Hawkesbury is a destination in its own right. So much more than just it's namesake river.

"come and see it for yourself"