Voices from the River
Downstream

SUNDAY 30 APRIL 2023

Gliding between steep sandstone bluffs hear from an expert geologist and
rock art researcher how this magnificent landscape was formed.

Take a rare visit to Mud Island to delve into the unique, unusual and bizarre stories from our expert history teller.

We travel on to the beautifully located Bar Island, once a hub for Aboriginal people and early river traders, now with an abandoned midden, church and cemetery. Our cruise meanders back to Spencer to hear about Australian indigenous astronomy and connections to the songlines associated with Dyarrubin.

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Downstream

Mysterious islands, rocks and stars

Choose your favourite adventure set

from 7 different combinations

$160 for a unique four hour adventure package

01: STORIES + EXPLORE + THAI + BURLESQUE -10am - 2pm

02: TOURS + EXPLORE + BURLESQUE + PLATTER - 10am - 2pm

03: TOURS + EXPLORE + THAI + STORIES - 11am - 3pm

04: STORIES + EXPLORE + PLATTER + CRUISE - 11am - 3pm

05: EXPLORE + PLATTER + CRUISE + TOUR - 11am - 3pm

06: CRUISE + PLATTER + EXPLORE + BURLESQUE -12pm - 4pm

07:: GEOLOGY + EXPLORE + PLATTER + CRUISE - 12pm - 4pm

Each adventure package is strictly limited to twenty people. First in best dressed !

VIEW TICKETS

Sandstone Marvels

Travel downstream with a sandstone and rock art researcher to hear about Gondwana and how the magnificent landscape and most ancient waterways of Dyarubbin were formed. Caves, overhangs, ancient walking track abound around the Hawkesbury river with significant connected sites along the ridges/ridge top plateaus. Gain insights into the sandstone country with Gil Jones who has lived lifelong in Darkinjung sandstone country.

Special tour Milson Island

Hear some unusual layered stories of 'mud' island with expert history teller Max Burns-McRuvie. Traverse the known for its vast mud flat. Stories of early tourism ventures, oyster farming, research station for anthraxAn island in the middle of Hawkesbury River once a vast mud flat Mud Island was set aside for inebriates, asylums, and at one time a prison, sold by Aborigine Granny Lewis in 1865 to Robert Milson.

Cruises - Bar Island

Step ashore onto this meeting place for the people of the Lower Hawkesbury. the remains of over 58 river residents and workers.The middens

Indigenous Astronomy & language

Join Dr Robert Fuller and Leigh Budden. Robert will be presenting an analysis of a significant Aboriginal songline in south-eastern Australia that has not been previously recorded. As part of a larger project examining the astronomy and songline connections of the Saltwater Aboriginal people of the New South Wales coast, the Black Duck Songline was identified that may have links to the Pleiades star cluster.

Additional/Other

Music etc

Crafts and Stalls

Enjoy live performances; 'antique road show'; exhibition, and historical encounters on the waterfront and locations around the village. Bring your mystery object for valuation at Spencer's 'antique road show' by Hannah Clayton Atkin of Swan Deverell auctioneers. Explore history at the Hawkesbury Duck museum - hear about where the dead were buried; what was on the colonial plate, and tales tall and true from another time. Live music on the waterfront with sea shanties and heritage boat spectacular.

Feasting

Feasting in Spencer :

From the Spencer Thai, chef's specially selected menu lunch in the Thai Garden created from local and seasonal produce. Or from the Deli - fresh platters and grazing table on one of Spencer's wharves with magnificent views towards triangle island and the Hawkesbury River.