St Albans RFS Pioneer Trail Run
We were blown away by the enthusiastic support for our inaugural St Albans Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade Pioneer Trail Run event held in April 2021. We are planning another fun-filled day with challenges for runners, walkers and dogs of all ages and abilities to be held this Spring 2022.
To whet your appetite, we are in discussions with the Trustees of the oldest working Common in Australia to stage our next event on land set aside by Queen Victoria in 1853 for the use and benefit of the settlers of St Albans to enjoy the fruits of their labours. Approximately 2,500 acres of near pristine country are being surveyed for several challenging courses. Runners will be guided through flat open ground, over, across and around hillsides and gullies, crossing a creek or two and perhaps waving hello to some local four legged beefy friends cheering you on.
Some images promoting our last event are displayed below, hoping to start tickling your interest in visiting or re-visiting us during the best part of the year.
To whet your appetite, we are in discussions with the Trustees of the oldest working Common in Australia to stage our next event on land set aside by Queen Victoria in 1853 for the use and benefit of the settlers of St Albans to enjoy the fruits of their labours. Approximately 2,500 acres of near pristine country are being surveyed for several challenging courses. Runners will be guided through flat open ground, over, across and around hillsides and gullies, crossing a creek or two and perhaps waving hello to some local four legged beefy friends cheering you on.
Some images promoting our last event are displayed below, hoping to start tickling your interest in visiting or re-visiting us during the best part of the year.
Important Points to Note
To aid you in planning a visit, whether competing or not ....
The following information provided for the 2021 event will be largely true for our next one. We hope to have available a wider array of quality merchandise to remember the day. We want to celebrate the gathering together of Australians from all walks of life interested in fitness, exploring and learning something of our heritage by following in the footsteps of our early pioneers.
Getting There
St Albans lies approximately 20 kms northwest of Wisemans Ferry, nestled on the banks of the Macdonald River and can be reached by either of two Hawkesbury River ferry crossings in the small township of Wisemans Ferry where the two rivers meet. Although St Albans is tucked away in the Macdonald Valley, there are a number of routes to get there. (Please Note: For those dependent on GPS units, they must be set to allow ferry crossings and possibly also gravel roads.) Click here for map.
For those travelling from or through the Greater Area of Sydney, proceed through Dural or Windsor to eventually wind down the hill to Wisemans Ferry along the Old Northern Rd. From here there are two ways to reach St Albans.
The best route is over the Webbs Creek ferry at the south western end of town near the Police Station then via St Albans Rd providing an all weather bitumen road to St Albans village. An alternate route is over the Wisemans ferry at the north eastern end of town near the Convict Road Kiosk in Wisemans Ferry Park then left via Settlers Rd, however this contains 10 kms of gravel road with bitumen at either end. Both ferries are free and run 24/7 with friendly crews that can give further directions if required.
For those travelling from the Central Coast or up Newcastle way, leave the motorway at Peats Ridge and take Wisemans Ferry Rd through Central Mangrove to Wisemans Ferry. You can then ignore the ferries and continue along Settlers Rd to St Albans.
For those travelling from the north west (Hunter Valley, New England Hwy etc. through Cessnock and/or Wollombi) you can experience some of the pioneer convict's road building work along the Old Great North Rd/Wollombi Rd off George Downs Drive, but be aware that this route includes 35 kms of gravel road.
Parking/Camping Instructions
St Albans village has a number of paddocks close by (yes folks, we live in the country) that have been set aside for parking/camping. Continuing our fundraising theme, we will be charging $10 per vehicle to park, however camping will be free. We would encourage all visitors to consider an overnight stay with us to experience and enjoy our pioneering heritage. Click here for information on St Albans village.
Accommodation
If we cannot persuade you to try camping in or around our village, then click here for some Macdonald Valley accommodation suggestions.
Merchandise
To aid our fundraising efforts, t-shirts for humans and bandannas for dogs will be available for purchase to proudly display your connection to Australia's early pioneering spirit and to remember us until next year. These items can be purchased along with entry tickets, and shortly they will also be available for purchase here on our website. We will also have a mouth watering sausage sizzle going for most of the day to help satisfy your newly found country appetite.
There will be a number of information and vendor's stalls in the village. You will be able to pick up flyers and brochures on rural living and things to do and see in the Valley. You will also be able to buy real food direct from the ground, trees or bees. Artists and artisans will also be presenting their work or wares for your pleasure.
Fun Stuff
We want this day to be packed with fun for everyone. There is a play area and activities in the park for children (and maybe the 'big' kids too), a jumping castle next to the Fire Shed and a Doggie Dress-Up competition for pets (dogs only) regardless of whether they are running or just on a lead looking after their owner/family on the day.
We will be judging all dogs and awarding a special prize for the most interesting/funny outfit. If you are dressing up your pet, please take the time to read this article and make sure they will be happy and safe on the day.
... https://www.mnn.com/family/pets/blogs/common-sense-guide-dressing-your-pet
We are also hoping to host a number of disabled communities for the day giving them a chance to enjoy our outdoor environment and maybe participate in some specially organised activities.
The following information provided for the 2021 event will be largely true for our next one. We hope to have available a wider array of quality merchandise to remember the day. We want to celebrate the gathering together of Australians from all walks of life interested in fitness, exploring and learning something of our heritage by following in the footsteps of our early pioneers.
Getting There
St Albans lies approximately 20 kms northwest of Wisemans Ferry, nestled on the banks of the Macdonald River and can be reached by either of two Hawkesbury River ferry crossings in the small township of Wisemans Ferry where the two rivers meet. Although St Albans is tucked away in the Macdonald Valley, there are a number of routes to get there. (Please Note: For those dependent on GPS units, they must be set to allow ferry crossings and possibly also gravel roads.) Click here for map.
For those travelling from or through the Greater Area of Sydney, proceed through Dural or Windsor to eventually wind down the hill to Wisemans Ferry along the Old Northern Rd. From here there are two ways to reach St Albans.
The best route is over the Webbs Creek ferry at the south western end of town near the Police Station then via St Albans Rd providing an all weather bitumen road to St Albans village. An alternate route is over the Wisemans ferry at the north eastern end of town near the Convict Road Kiosk in Wisemans Ferry Park then left via Settlers Rd, however this contains 10 kms of gravel road with bitumen at either end. Both ferries are free and run 24/7 with friendly crews that can give further directions if required.
For those travelling from the Central Coast or up Newcastle way, leave the motorway at Peats Ridge and take Wisemans Ferry Rd through Central Mangrove to Wisemans Ferry. You can then ignore the ferries and continue along Settlers Rd to St Albans.
For those travelling from the north west (Hunter Valley, New England Hwy etc. through Cessnock and/or Wollombi) you can experience some of the pioneer convict's road building work along the Old Great North Rd/Wollombi Rd off George Downs Drive, but be aware that this route includes 35 kms of gravel road.
Parking/Camping Instructions
St Albans village has a number of paddocks close by (yes folks, we live in the country) that have been set aside for parking/camping. Continuing our fundraising theme, we will be charging $10 per vehicle to park, however camping will be free. We would encourage all visitors to consider an overnight stay with us to experience and enjoy our pioneering heritage. Click here for information on St Albans village.
Accommodation
If we cannot persuade you to try camping in or around our village, then click here for some Macdonald Valley accommodation suggestions.
Merchandise
To aid our fundraising efforts, t-shirts for humans and bandannas for dogs will be available for purchase to proudly display your connection to Australia's early pioneering spirit and to remember us until next year. These items can be purchased along with entry tickets, and shortly they will also be available for purchase here on our website. We will also have a mouth watering sausage sizzle going for most of the day to help satisfy your newly found country appetite.
There will be a number of information and vendor's stalls in the village. You will be able to pick up flyers and brochures on rural living and things to do and see in the Valley. You will also be able to buy real food direct from the ground, trees or bees. Artists and artisans will also be presenting their work or wares for your pleasure.
Fun Stuff
We want this day to be packed with fun for everyone. There is a play area and activities in the park for children (and maybe the 'big' kids too), a jumping castle next to the Fire Shed and a Doggie Dress-Up competition for pets (dogs only) regardless of whether they are running or just on a lead looking after their owner/family on the day.
We will be judging all dogs and awarding a special prize for the most interesting/funny outfit. If you are dressing up your pet, please take the time to read this article and make sure they will be happy and safe on the day.
... https://www.mnn.com/family/pets/blogs/common-sense-guide-dressing-your-pet
We are also hoping to host a number of disabled communities for the day giving them a chance to enjoy our outdoor environment and maybe participate in some specially organised activities.
