Today the Hawkesbury River valley is home to those wanting to escape a busy, urban life, as well as legions of tourists.

BBC: A wild river valley outside of Sydney

On Dangar Island, located near the mouth of the river where the Hawkesbury meets the Tasman Sea, there are no cars.

BBC: A wild river valley outside of Sydney

The authorities decided that the lush banks further up the Hawkesbury would be perfect for farming, and thus the river became known as "the granary of the colony".

BBC: A wild river valley outside of Sydney