Cattai, New South Wales: Travel guide and things to do

Located 12 km from Windsor and approximately 54 km north-west of Sydney, Cattai is a tiny settlement on the Cattai Creek which is part of the larger Hawkesbury River system.

The area was first settled by Europeans after Dr. T. Arndell (an assistant surgeon on the First Fleet and one-time Superintendent of Parramatta Hospital) was granted 600 acres in 1804. There is a suggestion that the grant occurred five years after Arndell moved to the area. If this is true then his original homestead, now nothing more than ruins, may date from 1799.

Arndell named his property 'Caddie Park' and it remained in the Arndell family for seven generations until 1981 when it was acquired by the NSW State government and became part of the Cattai State Recreation Area.

Things to see

Cattai National Park
Officially opened on Australia Day 1983, Cattai State Recreation Area (now known as the Cattai National Park) is a 223.5 hectare park on the banks of the Hawkesbury River which provides family facilities - barbecues, picnic sites, camping, showers and toilets - in a peaceful and attractive setting. The park includes a 'convict lagoon', excellent walking and bicycling tracks and the historic 'Caddie Park' homestead. For details and price of entry fee contact C.S.R.A. (02) 4572 8404.

Caddie Park
Caddie Park is a handsome sandstock homestead which was built by convicts in 1821. It has sweeping views across the Hawkesbury River. It is notable for its three dormer windows but the east wing is an addition which occurred as recently as 1938. The house is well worth visiting.

Ruins of original homestead
About 60 metres north of Caddie Park homestead are some stone foundations of a tiny dwelling which appears to have been a 3m x 12m simple dwelling. It is believed to date from 1799. It was built by convict labour.