Sprawling hills covered in wild bushland and complex river systems comprising the Hawkesbury-Nepean, Colo and Macdonald rivers provide abundant areas for recreational activities such as camping, horse riding, bushwalking, water skiing and canoeing.

The Hawkesbury Nepean river poses major physical and social significance within the region. It is a significant breeding ground for fish species and is also an important commercial and recreational fishery. National Parks traverse approximately 70% of Hawkesbury City Councils jurisdiction and include the Yengo, Wollemi, Blue Mountains, Cattai and Parr State Recreation area 5.

Most of this is predominantly sandstone supporting about 220 plant communities and over 80% of the pre-European vegetation cover. Approximately 90% of the known communities are adequately conserved.