The Historic Northwest to the Wyong Milk Factory

02 March 2025 / Story Chris Wyatt Pictures Rob Wilko

Sydney’s Northwest to The Milk Factory 2025

The heat was already starting to build as our group of award winning members fuelled up with coffee and other healthy things. Maccas Windsor is always a great start to a great day. A couple of heroes put their roof down as we turned left and followed Gary Joss into the historic northwest for a fun day out.

Much of Sydney is undergoing development but the run through Pitt Town, Cattai and Wisemans Ferry showcases the old northwest with small villages dotted along the fun winding roads. Even the newer large homes being built seem to fit in with the environment.

A comfort stop on the south side of the ferry, gave us a chance to talk about the weather and the easy run we were having. The queue onto the ferry took some time under the shady trees so we could turn off the engines and enjoy the river breeze. I always find it comforting how many people leaving the ferry will allow us to leave as a group but as usual there was just one getting in front of Brigid and Ron to break the line. Fortunately, they didn’t get held up for too long and our radios kept us in touch. Since the heavy rains a couple of years ago the damaged roads are taking some time to repair with a couple of automatic red/green areas and many single lane zones slowing us to enjoy the beautiful river views.

Mangrove General Store was due to be another comfort stop but it was rather crowded so a quick vote and we were back onto Wisemans Ferry, then Bloodtree roads, towards Wyong.

Alison and Cape Roads brought us to our lunch destination right on time. The Old Wyong Milk Factory is the home to many small businesses including various specialised food outlets, a childcare centre and the ubiquitous gym. The centre of the complex is a pub style dining area with various small and large rooms over multiple levels. The menu is a reasonable size with good sized servings of fresh food. We were allocated a room on the upper level and soon found the heat a bit much so as soon as we ate we headed down to the bar for drinks and coffee. My big find of the day was large cappuccinos for just $5. Really old world, with service to match.

We found a table and gathered around as some needed to go, leaving a group of us breaking all the rules, talking politics and other naughty things until we were nearly the last ones there. The run home was good for us avoiding tolls but leaving the top up and testing out the A/C.

Another great day out. Thank you Gary Joss.