The Australiana Pioneer Village
The Australiana Pioneer Village
The Australiana Pioneer Village
4.5
About
The Australiana Pioneer Village is set on 27 picturesque acres on the bank of the Hawkesbury River at Wilberforce - it is listed on the N.S.W State Heritage Register The Village comprises original Colonial Pioneer's Homes and Artefacts, acres of Picnic Grounds, Bushell's Lagoon, a Railway Station, Machinery Shed, Village Green, "Rose Cottage" the oldest timber dwelling in Australia, our Church, Shearing Shed, Damper Camp, "Riverview Cottage", the original houses of local families, Salter's Barn, the Riverstone Police Station and General Store, a Blacksmiths, Sackville Post Office, Shops and more The Village is run entirely by Volunteers who have a great passion for preserving our local - and Australia's - Colonial History New Volunteers are always welcome We open every Sunday 10am to 4pm Our School Excursion Education Program runs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays - bookings need to be made in advance as do Bus Trips. We have 2 Eateries - The Oxboro Inn and The Damper Camp
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4.5
114 reviews
Excellent
77
Very good
31
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Saphron S
1 contribution
Apr. 2023
I loved this place, everyone should go and support the village so the history doesn’t get lost. the volunteers do a great job of being welcoming and informative. It’s definitely haunted I had an experience during our day visit, mind blown!
Written 24 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maire L
Inverness, UK7 contributions
Dec. 2022 • Couples
A fascinating insight into the lives if the earliest settlers in Australia. Super-friendly, dedicated volunteers were enthusiastic and knowledgeable. A living museum. Planning to return with grandchildren.
Written 11 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tamsin H
Sydney, Australia460 contributions
Oct. 2022 • Friends
What a hidden gem! Walk back in time - historic houses and buildings, train rides, animal feeding. Tranquil setting even with all the kids running around!
Written 11 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alf w
Sydney, Australia19 contributions
Dec. 2022
the first thing that is very poor is entry fee for a child. I do feel it should be free entry for a child under 5 should be free, .
We went here on Friday 2/12/22 , we found things were so over priced it was a joke. I feel the only ones who made any money were the village them selfs.
the rides are a fare price . .
The market store holders were a joke in their pricing, I was there for a long time time and I hardly saw anyone buying any thing..
I also noticed there were a lack of signs letting people know where the toilets were , lack of placers for one to buy a drink like water.
I feel that this was over rated for this night , For us I would not think oh god we need to go back as it is not at the top of the list to return to.. One would hate to think how much the store holders had to pay to be in there . .
We went here on Friday 2/12/22 , we found things were so over priced it was a joke. I feel the only ones who made any money were the village them selfs.
the rides are a fare price . .
The market store holders were a joke in their pricing, I was there for a long time time and I hardly saw anyone buying any thing..
I also noticed there were a lack of signs letting people know where the toilets were , lack of placers for one to buy a drink like water.
I feel that this was over rated for this night , For us I would not think oh god we need to go back as it is not at the top of the list to return to.. One would hate to think how much the store holders had to pay to be in there . .
Written 2 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kartman-0610
Sydney, Australia360 contributions
Oct. 2021 • Friends
We visited the village for a ghost hunt with APPI. I do plan on coming back here eventually for the day tour, but I highly recommend people try the ghost hunt!
These buildings have a lot of history behind them. They were actually moved to the location to be saved from demolition. But it seems that the paranormal activity came along as well! We had quite a lot of unexplainable experiences and the atmosphere of this place is eerie at night.
I highly recommend it to any paranormal believer or person who loves their history.
These buildings have a lot of history behind them. They were actually moved to the location to be saved from demolition. But it seems that the paranormal activity came along as well! We had quite a lot of unexplainable experiences and the atmosphere of this place is eerie at night.
I highly recommend it to any paranormal believer or person who loves their history.
Written 6 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erin B
Sydney, Australia1 contribution
Oct. 2020
This is a really interesting place to visit but my favourite thing is the ghost tours run by APPI and they always provide a good well run ghost tour. You will be shown different areas, some will demonstrate equipment and others focus on experiments or the more Victorian style spiritualism activities. There are no jump scares or set ups which I prefer.
The place is big enough to do your own ghost hunting experience at the end which is so much more than other tours offer so if you are into ghost hunts I highly recommend you try these tours.
The place is big enough to do your own ghost hunting experience at the end which is so much more than other tours offer so if you are into ghost hunts I highly recommend you try these tours.
Written 19 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg R
5 contributions
Jun. 2021
Not wishing to add to all the other comments or feedback with positive attribution, other than to say, it is a great place to leisurely enjoy the attractions of the village with plenty of open space and a BBQ, along with undercover family sites if you get there early enough to grab one!
Our only detracting critique was it's a bit of 'spot the Aussie' atmosphere. Felt like an alien being outnumbered by noisy rude Asians and Indians. This especially in the Oxboro Inn where our lunch experience was sullied by the banter of loud gibberish Cantonese or Hindi lingo conversation and some little urchin repeatedly trying to sit in one of our chairs. Yep Aussies were the odd ones out, English obviously becoming a second language......Should've brought along my prayer mat to fully assimilate.
Other than that, had a great day!
Our only detracting critique was it's a bit of 'spot the Aussie' atmosphere. Felt like an alien being outnumbered by noisy rude Asians and Indians. This especially in the Oxboro Inn where our lunch experience was sullied by the banter of loud gibberish Cantonese or Hindi lingo conversation and some little urchin repeatedly trying to sit in one of our chairs. Yep Aussies were the odd ones out, English obviously becoming a second language......Should've brought along my prayer mat to fully assimilate.
Other than that, had a great day!
Written 15 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike P
Sydney, Australia267 contributions
Apr. 2021 • Couples
What a great day out we had. Such a friendly, relaxed atmosphere in a picturesque setting, what more could you ask for! A big thank you & well done for all your hard working volunteers, you are all wonderful. What a great clean up job after the recent flood 🏅😀
Written 30 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robyn
Greater Sydney, Australia3 contributions
Sep. 2020
My granddaughter and I had a fantastic day yesterday even though it looked like it was going to be yucky with all the rain it turned out beautiful, I had rung earlier to check if they would be open and they rang me back to update me.
The staff was helpful and accomodating and so friendly. Can't wait to go again, Good value for the money, and the food at the Damper Camp was so yummy!
The train and tractor ride was great value. Loved the Lolly shop and The Bee House.
The staff was helpful and accomodating and so friendly. Can't wait to go again, Good value for the money, and the food at the Damper Camp was so yummy!
The train and tractor ride was great value. Loved the Lolly shop and The Bee House.
Written 20 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T N
1 contribution
Sep. 2019 • Friends
This place is like stepping back in time. Fascinating insight into the lives of early European settlers.
Beautiful grounds, picnic areas, BBQs, toilets. Cheap entry, free parking. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.
If you are visiting Sydney, it's well worth a day trip to the Hawkesbury region.
Beautiful grounds, picnic areas, BBQs, toilets. Cheap entry, free parking. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.
If you are visiting Sydney, it's well worth a day trip to the Hawkesbury region.
Written 12 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saba S
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia12 contributions
How far are the picnic grounds from the train ride and the animals?
Lesley G
Sydney, Australia11 contributions
There are picnic spots all over the 28 acres so you can be just near the train or out the back around the lagoon. There are free Bbqs also either near the trains or around the lagoon . . .
Donna E
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia1 contribution
Do they open every day of the week, & do they do group bookings & have Xmas in July lunches.
jat2168
Windsor, Australia108 contributions
They are open every Sunday and not during week. You need to look at their website for other days they will specify as being open.
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Claim your listingThe Australiana Pioneer Village: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Australiana Pioneer Village
- The Australiana Pioneer Village is open:
- Sun - Sun 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Hotels near The Australiana Pioneer Village:
- (0.04 km) Heritage Hotel
- (13.10 km) Swami's Yoga Retreat
- (1.89 km) Hawkesbury Riverside Gardens
- (10.55 km) Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley
- (10.05 km) Billabong Retreat Sydney
- Restaurants near The Australiana Pioneer Village:
- (0.04 km) Heritage Hotel Bistro
- (0.34 km) Buns and Beans Bakery Wilberforce
- (0.34 km) Country Pizza Wilberforce
- (5.05 km) Lime & Coconut Cafe
- (4.64 km) Windsor Ice Cream Cafe