Looking for the perfect gift idea, or even just a way to say thanks? Why not gift a Heritage Ventures experience? A Heritage Ventures Gift Voucher unlocks workshops, eco adventures, river cruises, historical walking tours and more. Our digital eGift Vouchers are a great way to let someone know you’re thinking about them. Gift a voucher sent directly to your friends email for them to choose any event and use whenever they want.

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Sample native tea while hearing about convict rations and what was on the governor’s table. Travel to one of Gov. Darling’s planned routes from Sydney to the Hunter hacked out by the no 3 chain iron gang (now world heritage listed). Stopping at the Hawkesbury River visit the site of an abandoned tidal mill and time travel to when the river was the highway with trading and store boats plying the waterways. 

A half day meander through the wonders of Kulnura along bush tracks of waratahs and gymea lilies and out to glorious views 'up in the clouds'.

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Journey into the waterways of Dyarubbin with historians, writers and storytellers for a morning river cruise exploring the secret histories of the Lower Hawkesbury. Our exploration continues with an afternoon symposium visualising rock engravings, sky connections and the archaeology of Mangrove.  Join us for a river cruise, symposium or both where Mangrove Creek meets the Hawkesbury River.

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Visit to the caves, overhangs and sandstone country around Basalt Hill and Kulnura. On this off track bush walk we visit side gullies and ridges and experience the diversity of winter flowers and rock formations. On the way we encounter shelters many surveyed by Val Attenbrow and Jo McDonald before the inundation for Mangrove Creek dam. Attenbrow documented hundreds of rock art motifs rendered in white clay, red ochre and charcoal in the archaeology of Upper Mangrove Creek.

Launching from Spencer we paddle with the tide past Holy Trinity Church into the serene waters of Popran Creek. Historical stories unfold through the lost names of Sawmill Flat, Kellys Creek and Neverfail island. Look out for azure kingfishers, white faced herons and soaring sea eagles. Morning tea by mangroves and Casuarina fringed wetlands. Lunch at a secret location further upstream.  

David Reynolds, local historian and President of the Dangar Island Historical Society takes us on an insiders tour of Dangar Island on the Hawkesbury River. Starting with a ferry ride to the island on a restored heritage boat, the tour explores the rich indigenous and colonial histories - from evidence of Guringai occupation to Gov. Authur Phillip's search for arable land in 1788. Lunch at waterside cafe and visit to summit for Hawkesbury River views.

Explore the historical remains of Dubbo Gully when Mangrove Creek was a thriving community with wharves, inns and slab homes. Gain insight into the past at St Thomas' Cemetery and visit Fairview to hear about the experience of growing up in the area and the campaign to save the last remaining homestead. We will visit the original road from Sydney to the cast and hear about the haunted 'inn of the Damned'

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Enjoy a River Cruise to the places where it happened on the Hawkesbury River. Trace three unique events while boating along the river - from the drafting of the Constitution to secret operation Jaywick Z force and the largest construction project in the southern hemisphere.  Join historians, maritime experts and floating storytellers for revelations and an in depth journey into the past.  Lunch at a waterside destination.