My trip up the Hawkesbury River is not far away - see here. It has many small and isolated communities along its banks which can only be reached by boat.
Have a look at this little beauty on Hawkesbury River Real Estate's website. The sort of place you can lose yourself in, just 50 kilometres away from Sydney.
Flick through the Image Gallery to whet your appetite! (No, I am not on a commission; I just love this place! ☺ )
Until you receive my full reportage on the trip, here's the full-length video clip of the movie Oyster Farmer which was filmed on the Hawkesbury River:
I love the scene with Jack Thompson as a Vietnam War veteran. I've watched it so often the DVD's got a hole in it.