A gateway to the Hawkesbury region, the town of Windsor is Australia’s third oldest settlement (circa 1791) and remains an incredibly picturesque destination in Western Sydney. It’s a town known for its Georgian buildings, public square, and several historically significant churches. And while WEST has visited Windsor before, we have returned to explore even more of this impressive town, this time on the South side too.
Begin your day at Windsor Train Station - which is your first heritage-listed stop. Built in 1883, this station is an example of a Victorian second-class station building and is reflective of the development of Windsor as a prosperous area during these years.
For coffee, visit the South Windsor village. Here you’ll find a small strip of local shops including Jeff’s Hideout Cafe. This is a funky and cosy cafe, stop for a cuppa too and enjoy watching the locals go about their daily business.
Continuing along George Street, you’ll also find a local bakery, Acropolis Yeeros, Soo’s Chinese, and the very popular South Windsor Pie Stop. This small business has been baking hot fresh pies for many years and you’ll find plenty of flavours and specials. Get in quick before they sell out.
Next, South Windsor is home to several great recreational sites. If you’re with children, they’ll love Windsor Ten Pin Bowl for an afternoon of fun and games. From the outside, the centre is very much an old-school style bowling alley, and inside you’ll find great updated facilities.
Across the road, there is a large park which includes a great little kids’ playground. And for more family fun, visit Church Street Reserve where you’ll find a walking track, picnic areas, and a fantastic playground. This reserve also neighbours The Y NSW Hawkesbury Oasis, which is the local swimming pool and leisure centre. It boasts several large pools including a recreational indoor pool.
South Windsor is also home to Windsor RSL. This is a very spacious and beautifully updated hub of entertainment and quality dining - it’s a great place to sit down for a long lunch. Easy Lane is the trendy courtyard dining area ideal for birthday gatherings, or friend catch-ups – it feels like the perfect mix of bistro and beer garden. Situated in a beautifully bright and colourful space, we love the attention to detail with tasteful exposed brick and hanging plants. Their menu is seasonal and prepared with a paddock-to-plate ethos, so you know you’ll taste the best of the Hawkesbury. Something of a signature for the area, Windsor RSL is a venue proud of the Hawkesbury’s local produce and friendly community.
After you’re filled up, venture towards Windsor’s historic centre for a slice of European history. If you’ve never visited before, get ready to be wowed by just how old George Street is. Much of this part is a pedestrian mall, so take your time enjoying the old shop fronts, classic pubs, and trendy small businesses.
Manor on George is a must-visit boutique homewares and antiques store on George Street. Stunning from floor to ceiling, each item is handpicked to match the vintage aesthetic. You’ll find furniture, art, candles, books, cushions, and random but very stylish homewares. There is no such thing as too much here, it's brilliant.
Because Windsor was chosen as a settlement by Governor Lachlan Macquarie, it was ordered that several key institutions be built. The most magnificent was St Matthew’s Anglican Church which is a towering Georgian cathedral on Moses Street. Completed in 1822, the church was designed by famous ex-convict architect Francis Greenway who also designed the Hyde Park Barracks in the CBD. The church is spectacular, with a large bell tower, beautiful sandstone brick walls, and a historic cemetery which predates the cathedral being built in 1810.
Down the street, you’ll also come across another grand piece of architecture, St Matthew’s Church, this time it’s the local Catholic parish. Built in 1840, it is the oldest Catholic Church in continual use in Australia. The design is a “stripped-down” Gothic revival church, and it beautifully overlooks Windsor Memorial Park.
With plenty to see, do, and learn about, we love that Windsor is a slice of early Australian history with an enduring character and charm. You could easily spend a whole day exploring the ins and outs of the historic centre, but we also love to explore off the beaten track to discover other, sometimes less-known local gems. Make Windsor your next weekend Western Sydney adventure!
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