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Slow and Sustainable Travel Tour

While many travellers are racing from one picture-perfect destination to another, there are still those who seek a deeper, more meaningful way to explore lesser-visited places, like the Hawkesbury River in the NSW Central Coast hinterland.

The kind of tourism that goes beyond surface-level sightseeing, delving into the rich tapestry of a region’s heritage, culture, and natural wonders. This approach doesn’t just enrich our travel experiences – it fosters a greater understanding and appreciation of the places we visit.

Learning about the heritage and culture of an area is more than just an educational exercise; it’s a way to connect with the soul of a place, to understand its people, and to gain insight into the forces that have shaped its present. It’s about peeling back the layers of time to discover stories written in the landscape, traditions passed down through generations, and the pivotal moments that have defined a region’s identity.

In a certified ECO Destination like the NSW Central Coast, this connection to the past is even more defined, highlighting ongoing sustainability efforts by the people behind its best experiences.

Walking Into The Past

With this philosophy in mind, we set off on our day with Heritage Ventures, a tour company that truly embraces immersive, meaningful travel. Founder Dr. Bernadette Flynn, an historian and heritage professional, has spent over 15 years uncovering the rich histories and exploring the landscape of the Lower Hawkesbury River.

With a PhD in interpretative cultural heritage and a background with organisations like the National Trust and Griffith University, Bernadette’s passion for the hidden stories of the land is palpable. She has curated unique tours that blend her deep knowledge of the local flora, fauna, and history, offering guests an immersive experience that goes far beyond the usual guided tours. Every story she shares is rooted in years of research, observation, and a true connection to the land—often on foot or by kayak.

Heritage Tours NSW Central Coast
Paperbark-Forest-NSW-Central-Coast
Heritage Venture Tours NSW Central Coast

When we arrived in Lower Mangrove, Bernadette greeted us warmly. With her was our guide for the day, Mike Breheny, who owns the property where our walk began, on Dharug Country.

As we strolled together, Mike shared stories of the land’s First Nations history, blending these with fascinating facts about the local flora and fauna. His knowledge brought the Hawkesbury to life, transforming the landscape with meaning and significance.

Nature’s Living History Book

We started our walk in an endangered Melaleuca forest, where the ground was dotted with mushrooms in every shape and colour. As we explored, Mike shared his expertise on the different fungi species, explaining how some have long been recognised for their medicinal uses.

He also showed us an an Indigenous stone tool – a basalt axe head – uncovered at the edge of his property and left where found. Basalt outcrops around Peats Ridge and Mangrove Mountain were known to be quarried for blanks and tools as part of a distribution and trade network.

To further deepen our connection to the area’s rich Indigenous history, we visited a spot known locally as ‘Red Hands Cave’, where ochre hand stencils are outlined in white. This cave, a key stop on the path to other significant sites along the ridge, carries deep cultural and historical importance.

Slow and sustainable tour NSW Central Coast
Heritage Venture Tours NSW Central Coast
Mushrooms
Mushroom
indigenous rock art NSW Central Coast

It’s experiences like these that Heritage Ventures is known for—offering tours that dive deep into layers of history, culture, and nature.

From guided hikes through ancient forests to historical cruises that bring the Hawkesbury River’s past to life, each experience offers a fresh perspective. With Heritage Ventures as your guide, you’ll leave with a deeper connection to this beautiful corner of the NSW Central Coast.

Broken Bay Pearl Farm NSW Central Coast

More Cultural Tours On The NSW Central Coast

  • Learn about the history of pearl farming on the Hawkesbury River during a behind-the-scenes tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm (like we did during our recent stay).
  • Experience a traditional Smoking Ceremony and wander through tens of thousands of years of history with Darkinjung Cultural Tours, exploring middens along the coast or rock engravings and waterfalls in the hinterland.
  • Learn about the world’s oldest living culture on a tour with the First Nations-owned and eco-friendly Girri Girra Aboriginal Experiences. A nature-soaked lesson in bush foods, medicines, and more will be passed on as you walk through Bouddi National Park, Yengo National Park, the Bulgandry Aboriginal Area or from Pearl Beach to the Warrah Lookout.
  • Follow the self-guided Four Villages Shipbuilders’ Heritage Walk to go back in time to when the NSW Central Coast was home to one of the busiest shipbuilding hubs in Australia.
  • After taking a guided tour, you can even sleep the night in two heritage-listed Light Keeper’s Quarters on the Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve.

In Partnership With

Central Coast Logo

To find out more about the NSW Central Coast, head here.

Krista Eppelstun

Life Unhurried co-founder, Krista Eppelstun, is a travel photographer and videographer, usually on the road creating content for the likes of Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Australia, Brisbane Airport and more. But her favourite place to be is at home, coffee in hand after a morning surf.

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