The Nepean Belle – the only way to experience the Nepean River 

The Nepean Belle – the only way to experience the Nepean River 

Last weekend we ventured out to Jamistown go on the Nepean Belle. I’d seen pictures of this beautiful Sternwheeler some time ago and was desperate to take the kids. It is such a unique experience I had to write this post as soon as I got the chance.

The kids had the best time and it was really a special experience for us as a family.

Cruising the river on the Nepean Belle. I told my kids it was a Huckleberry Finn boat because that's exactly what it looks like to me. It is however a stern wheeler developed from the ideas of the great Mississippi stern wheelers and built in Sydney.

The Nepean Belle

What is the Nepean Belle

I told my kids it was a Huckleberry Finn boat because that’s exactly what it looks like to me. It is however a stern wheeler developed from the ideas of the great Mississippi stern wheelers and built in Sydney. Inside it is a completely vintage affair with wooden interiors and little booths.

The Nepean Belle has been operating since the early 1980s.

The new owners and operators have been in charge for the last few years and they are really what gives the Nepean Belle its extra charm. They are lovely and so passionate about the boat and about their guests. It really felt like you were part of their extended family.

 

Where is the Nepean Belle Based?

You can find the Nepean Belle in Jamistown near Sydney’s Western border.  The Belle docks at Tench Reserve, Tench Avenue, Jamistown.

There is plenty of park in the reserve, just make sure you don’t miss the entry to the parking lot. If you go past the Coffee Club on the other side of the road, you’ve gone to far.

 

This weekend we ventured out to Jamistown go on the Nepean Belle. I’d seen pictures of this beautiful Sternwheeler some time ago and was desperate to take the kids. It is such a unique experience I had to write this post as soon as I got the chance.

Cruising on the Nepean Belle 

 

The Nepean Bell offers various cruises in different durations. We went on the Princesses and Pirates Cruise which runs specifically during the school holidays and is 1.5 hours long.

In the short time between morning tea and the kids activities we got to venture around the boat. From all angles you get beautiful views of the river and the sandstone Nepean Gorge that sits 150m above the water.

If you can, ask that you be seated upstairs. The light coming in and shining off the wood is just magic.

If you’re planning on taking one of the cruises, don’t forget your camera. It’s so beautiful.

On the short 1.5 hour cruise you aren’t really going far up the river. It’s more just about being on the river than going to a destination.

 

Princess and Pirate Cruise on the Nepean Belle

Morning tea on the Nepean Belle

While there is a Devonshire Tea cruise and that was what I wanted to book, we were only able to get onto the Pirates and Princesses cruise. I need not say that my Princess was elated that we went on a princess cruise.

Nonetheless, the adults were still treated to scones with jam and cream and endless tea and coffee. My mom who drinks neither was even offered her preferred lemon and honey hot water.

If you’re not up for anything like that there is a Coffee Club directly opposite the reserve in which the wharf sits. You could pop in there and grab something before boarding.

The kids were given party snacks comprising of party pies, mini sausage rolls and fish fingers. There were also apples and bananas for them to take if they wanted.

The Nepean Bell offers various cruises in different durations. We went on the Princesses and Pirates Cruise which runs specifically during the school holidays and is 1.5 hours long.

Activities on Board the Nepean Belle

If you’re lucky enough to be on a Pirates and Princesses Cruise your youngsters will be entertained. And you won’t even need to get involved – parents are advised to stay on the periphery. How wonderful is that! And Princess Repanzel who runs the activities is just magic with the kids. Actually, so is everyone who is on board.

After morning tea the kids the kids were invited upstairs to walk the plank. Thankfully it wasn’t over the edge of the boat, just across a small swimming tub. Next they were invited to man the boat. Sitting down stairs at the time, I couldn’t work out why the boat was going in circles. It was only when I went upstairs to find my son that I realized it was because all the kids were steering the boat round and round.

Once everyone had their turn the kids came back downstairs for some pass the parcel (or hot potato) and play the statues game.

Did you know that the Nepean River and its associated mouth, the Hawkesbury River, virtually encircle the metropolitan region of Sydney.

The Nepean Bell offers various cruises in different durations. We went on the Princesses and Pirates Cruise which runs specifically during the school holidays and is 1.5 hours long.

Nepean Belle Facilities

There are bathrooms on board, thankfully! Food is served so you don’t have to worry about that either.

While there are heaters on board, it does get very cold in winter so you want to make sure you’re dressed up warm. You may even need to take gloves with you and a beanie or you may freeze. I was wearing snow boots and a beanie and was still feeling the cold.

Age suitability

The kids loved the cruise and the 1.5 hour time frame was filled with some much that they didn’t get bored for a single second.

Some of the littler kids were a bit scared of the decorations so I would say that ages 2 + is best.

the Nepean Belle runs a number of cruises  - morning tea, lunch or dinner. The lunch and dinner cruises seem to have more substantial food so you will pay more for those. They are also 2.5 hours as opposed to 1.5 hours.

Cruises and Tickets

As I said above, the Nepean Belle runs a number of cruises  – morning tea, lunch or dinner. The lunch and dinner cruises seem to have more substantial food so you will pay more for those. They are also 2.5 hours as opposed to 1.5 hours.

There are also  special occasion cruises like the Pirates and Princesses one which was specially for school holidays. I have read of a Fathers Day cruise and Mothers Day cruise. Currently, the lunch time cruise is a Christmas in July cruise and the whole boat is decked up.

Once you have decided you want to do a cruise, you must book as soon as you can. 

If you’re really lucky you may get a sighting of  wombats, wallabies, lizards, eagles, cormorants and even mountain goats or white breasted sea eagles when in the Blue Mountain National Park.

 

Tickets 

You must just be aware that there is a difference between Weekday and Weekend prices. The below prices are the weekend prices.

  • Devonshire Tea Price: Adults $39, Seniors $34 and Children 3-12yrs $15.
  • Buffet Lunch Cruise:  Adults $65, Seniors $58, Teen 13-16yrs $39 and Child 3-12yrs $25.
  • 3 course dinner cruise: Adults $84 and Children 3-12yrs $39.

 

If you’re in this area of Penrith, you may also want to check out The Museum of Fire and then have lunch at the Spur. We did that as a full day outing and have a really memorable day. 

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