The Hawkesbury Harvest Farm Gate Trail: Cornwallis House

Number 26 Map 1 Hawkesbury Harvest Farm Gate Trail Map

Right on the banks of the Hawkesbury River and only three minutes drive from Windsor ( an hour or so from Sydney) is the most wonderful self catering accommodation built in the style of an old Queenslander, known as Cornwallis House.

I am greeted warmly by Angelo and Alannah Santangelo and as it turns out this greeting is extended to anyone who stays here, as Angelo or Alannah always meet visitors to the house to welcome them there.

Situated in the middle of an orange orchard, in farmland which had been cultivated by Angelo's father since before World War Two, the house is filled with light and is incredibly spacious and beautifully decorated.

So spacious is the house and its verandahs that the couple tell the lovely story of a Chinese family staying there and the elderly grandmother opening up her arms and twirling around the verandah, so delighted was she with the space and the views.

There are four big bedrooms, all with their own bathrooms and a wonderfully equipped modern kitchen. The Santangelos are happy to arrange and tailor weekends to suit individual tastes but are most often told by their guests that once they get there, they do not want to leave. Indeed it seems most guests spend most of their time on the verandah, resting in the hammock, soaking in the spa or simply gazing at the lovely river views.