Riverstone is a suburb of Sydney in the state of New South Wales (NSW).
It is 48 kilometres north-west of the Sydney CBD in the local government areas of Blacktown and Hawkesbury. Based on the 2016 census, the suburb is home to 7,247 residents. It is bordered by South Windsor, Windsor Downs, Marsden Park, Vineyard, Schofields, Box Hill and Rouse Hill.
History of Riverstone
Riverstone is one of Australia's oldest towns. Its first inhabitants were the Darug tribe but were relocated to government farms and settlements following the arrival of the First Fleet.
In 1803, a government stock farm was established in Riverstone due to the area's abundant water supply and lands for grazing. In 1810, Maurice Charles Philip O'Connell, the appointed Governor of NSW, was granted 2,500 acres of land, which he named "Rivesrton Farm" after his birthplace in Ireland.
Interestingly, the suburb's name spelt with an "e" (Riverstone) became the accepted spelling after an apparent misprint on railway timetables around the 1860s.
The suburb was used for beef cattle farms with the Sydney to Richmond Railway line opening up the area for non-rural development in 1864. A major meatworks was opened in Riverstone in 1878, which was permanently closed in 1992.
Rivertown remained as a small country town until the housing boom at the beginning of the 21st century. Extensive farmlands were released for housing, while the northern area of the suburb is now a thriving industrial area. Despite the progress, poultry farming and market gardening remain as essential activities in the suburb.
Facilities Around Riverstone
A well-developed suburb, Riverstone offers facilities for families and those who want to live in a peaceful and quiet town.
Riverstone has two public schools (Riverstone High School, Riverstone Public School) and three private schools (St. John Catholic Primary School, Norwest Christian College and Australian Christian College or ACC). ACC provides on-campus day school, as well as distance learning for students across NSW.
Just near the suburb's local station are various facilities such as a library, a gym, swimming pools, a bank and a post office.
Commuters could go in and around Riverstone via the North Shore, Northern and Western Railway Lines. Trains heading to Sydney leave around every 30 minutes, while bus services are also available.
Famous Destinations Around Riverstone
Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
Just 9.9 kilometres away from Riverstone, the Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park is not to be missed. It offers hands-on wildlife experience where you can get up close to Australia's famous animals such as the koalas, wallabies, kangaroos and even an enormous saltwater crocodile.
Sydney Zoo
Also not far away (12.4 kilometres outside of Riverstone) is the world-class Sydney Zoo that houses a wide range of animal species. The zoo aims to educate visitors on the importance of conservation, which is a beautiful experience for kids and the kids at heart.
Lindt Chocolate Factory Outlet
If you have a sweet tooth, a short drive from Riverstone (4.7kms away) is the Lindt Chocolate Factory Outlet, where they offer a great selection of delectable chocolates.
