Major city · Australia
Wisemans Ferry
Go as a day trip from Sydney, not a base: 1 hour by car, free 24 h ferries, picnic by the river, back before dark.
Wisemans Ferry is a small Hawkesbury River settlement about an hour north-west of Sydney, founded in 1817 around a convict-built road and a free car ferry crossing. There is a pub, a shop, a riverside park and national park walking, but no real town centre and little public transport. Most visitors come for a half or full day; a night makes sense only if you want the river at dawn or a houseboat.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Sep–Nov, Mar–May
- avoid Dec–Jan (heat and holiday ferry queues)
- Airport
- SYD
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Wisemans Ferry000 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
- NSW National Parks (Dharug)1300 072 757
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Wisemans Ferry, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyA quiet riverside town and generally safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles · 1300 072 757 NSW National Parks (Dharug)
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSYD Sydney Kingsford Smith (About 1 h 30 min by car via the M2 and Old Northern Road; no direct public transport).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical way in and around; the Old Northern Road from Sydney takes about an hour.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$10–25 (≈ US$7–17)
- Budget bedHoliday-park cabin, a night, per roomA$150 (≈ US$100)
- Mid-range bedPub or motel room, a night, per roomA$180 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedPub or motel room, a night, per roomA$280 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$60 (≈ US$40) · Mid A$120 (≈ US$80) · High A$220 (≈ US$150)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith (About 1 h 30 min by car via the M2 and Old Northern Road; no direct public transport)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jul (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Wisemans Ferry: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical way in and around; the Old Northern Road from Sydney takes about an hour. Two free car ferries cross the Hawkesbury 24 hours a day, with no bridge alternative nearby, so holiday-weekend queues are normal. Bus route 672 links Windsor station to Wisemans Ferry in about an hour, but once here you walk or cycle; many 'nearby' sights are several kilometres apart.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Dharug National Park
goDoor to door: 10 min
Drive about 5 min down Wisemans Ferry Road to the park entrance
Walking and mountain-bike trails; the Great North Road convict section is inside the park.
St Albans
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive north via the St Albans Road ferry and Settlers Road
Quiet historic village; check road conditions after rain.
Hawkesbury towns (Windsor, Richmond)
goDoor to door: 45–60 min
Drive south on Old Northern Road
Some of Sydney's oldest colonial buildings and a bigger supermarket.
Sydney
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Drive via Old Northern Road and the M2, or bus 672 to Windsor then train
Doable as a day trip in either direction.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Wisemans Ferry village
Pub rooms and motel-style units on Old Northern Road, walking distance to the ferry and park.
River Road and Singleton Road
Retreats, lodges and holiday park along the river; you need a car for everything.
Houseboats on the Hawkesbury
Sleep on the water; book ahead and check minimum nights.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$60–110 (≈ US$40–75) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$110–200 (≈ US$75–140) excl. bed
- High
- A$200 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pub or motel room1 × 1 night × A$180 | A$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$120 | A$240 |
| Fuel, Sydney return, about 160 km1 × A$30 · check | A$30 |
| Pub meal and a drink2 × A$35 | A$70 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$15 | A$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$55 |
| Trip total≈ A$303 per person per day, bed included | A$605≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and Sydney transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Pub counter meal | A$22–35 (≈ US$15–25) |
| Picnic supplies for two | A$25–40 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Car ferry crossing | Free |
| Boat or cruiser hire, per day | A$250 (≈ US$170)+ (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$10–25 (≈ US$7–17) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No bridge alternative: if a ferry queue is long, you wait.
- Holiday weekends and summer Sundays back up at the ferry; arrive before 10:00 or after 15:00.Holiday weekends and summer Sundays back up at the ferry; arrive before 10:00 AM or after 3:00 PM.
- Mobile coverage is limited to some networks and patchy in the valley; download maps before you leave Sydney.
- Kangaroos and wombats on the roads at dusk and dawn.
- River swimming is unsupervised; check currents and depth before entering.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
- NSW National Parks (Dharug)
- 1300 072 757
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Wisemans FerryWisemans Ferry
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
Embassy
No consulates here; embassies and consulates-general are in Sydney and Canberra.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Car ferry across the Hawkesbury: free, runs 24 h (check)
- Bus 672 Windsor → Wisemans Ferry: about 1 h, Opal fare (check)
- Fuel, Sydney return: about A$30 (≈ US$20) (check)
Say or show
- Where's the ferry? — Where is the ferry?
- Is the ferry free? — Is the ferry free?
- How long's the wait? — How long is the wait?
- Is it safe to swim here? — Can I swim here?
- Where's the nearest shop? — Where is the nearest shop?
- Thanks — Thanks
English is the only language you need.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Wisemans Ferry. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Sep–Nov, Mar–May · avoid Dec–Jan (heat and holiday ferry queues) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry-queue timing fixture: holiday-weekend wait bands by hour, field-checked.
- Walking cluster map: village, ferry landing, riverside park, convict trail head.
- Place pages for Dharug National Park, the Great North Road trail and the two ferry crossings with verified access notes.
- River-safety and mobile-coverage fixtures so arrival gates can go green.