Located at the foothills of the mountains, Bilpin is known for its top quality seasonal produce, including stone fruits and apples, honey, jams and of course cider.
In early 2020 the area was hit hard by the devastating fires that attacked NSW.
Throughout the year Bilpin has bounced back and is once again ripe for visitation.
Visitors to Bilpin will be greeted with many opporunities to stop in at cafes and fruit and vegetable stores selling local produce.
A market runs every Saturday from 10am to noon at the Bilpin District Hall on Bells Line of Road and there are cellar doors to visit at Bilpin Cider Co and Hillbilly Cider.
The market features all kinds of fresh food, including vegetables, fruit, flowers and honey, as well as handmade garments and craft items.
A market kitchen offers breakfast, morning tea and brunch, with ample seating inside and out.
Bilpin's fertile soil and cool climate have proven perfect for fruit orchards as well as gardens.
The entire area is a photographer's delight in any season, but particularly in autumn, when the deciduous trees are changing colours, and in spring, when the blossoms appear, and in summer when the fruits ripen.
Not far from Bilpin is Mt Tomah, where you will find the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden and the Botonist's Way Discovery Centre, which showcases the historic crossing through the dramatic northern Blue Mountains World Heritage wilderness.
The centre also features stories on the traditional custodians of Mount Tomah, the Darug people, with a display of tools made by Darug artist Shane Smithers.
This cool climate botanic garden changes with the seasons.
In the booklet Best Cycle Rides Around The Hawkesbury - available from Hawkesbury Visitor Information Centre [details below] , ride 6 takes the recreational rider through the heart of the Wollemi National Park ending at a remote wilderness lookout.
Information contained in this article is from discoverthehawkesbury.com.au, which is full of great ideas for exploring our region. If you're out and about be sure to visit the Hawkesbury Tourist Information Centre, located at 1/328 Hawkesbury Valley Way, Richmond [Ham Common, opposite the RAAF base]. It's open seven days from 9am to 4pm. Visit the centre on Facebook at facebook.com/hawkesburyvisitorinformationcentre
