Discover Dangar Island on the Hawkesbury River

Dangar Island is a charming, traffic-free, natural hideaway on the Hawkesbury River, rich in European and Indigenous history.

Catch a ferry from the Brooklyn marina and discover the unique beauty of this somewhat isolated island north of Sydney.

As Dangar is an island, the only way to get there is by boat. A ferry service runs regularly between Brooklyn, Little Wobby, and Dangar, seven days per week.

The trip from Brooklyn to Dangar Island takes around 30 minutes. Check out the ferry timetable on the Brooklyn Ferry Service website. The service is on the Opal network, so you can tap on with your Opal card or bank card at the wharf.

The ferry wharf in Brooklyn is located close to the train station, so it makes sense to travel by train and avoid the busy motorway. The Central Coast & Newcastle Line takes you from Central Station to Hawkesbury River Station in just one hour.

What’s great is that the ferry timetable is nicely aligned with arriving and departing trains, so you typically don’t have to wait very long.

Driving to Brooklyn is fairly easy. Follow the Pacific Motorway to Mooney Mooney Point on the Hawkesbury River, go on the Old Pacific Highway, and turn into Brooklyn Rd to Brooklyn. Ample parking is available close to the wharf.

The Hawkesbury River Marina is located next to the train station and features several cafes and restaurants. If you’re not having lunch on the island, the marina is a great spot.

Map

Once you arrive on the island, the best thing you can do is to simply walk around and see what’s on offer. Bradleys Beach can be easily accessed from Grantham Crescent.

We recommend printing out a copy of the map that you can grab from the Hornsby Shire Council website.

Tucked away on the Hawkesbury River, between Little Wobby and Brooklyn, Dangar Island is a bit of a hidden paradise, with a small and friendly population of only a few hundred lucky residents.

The island covers an area of around 29 hectares, with a 3-kilometre-long shoreline.

Connected to electricity in 1948 and to water in 1971, the island now boasts a cafe and shop, a bowling club, a community hall, and a fire brigade.

Interestingly, Dangar Island is the only residential island on the Hawkesbury River.

Private cars are not allowed on the island, which explains the abundance of wheelbarrows there to carry goods from the ferry wharf onto the island.

There’s also a buggy service available, managed by the local community.

History

Before white settlement, Dangar Island was known as a gathering place for Aboriginal people. Evidence of their history remains visible in engravings and rock shelters on the island.

Governor Arthur Phillip was the first European to visit the area in March 1788 and named it Mullet Island because of the large quantity of mullet he caught there.

In 1864, Dangar Island was purchased and renamed by Henry Cary Dangar, a prominent politician who later became a member of the Upper House of New South Wales.

Henry Cary Dangar leased the island to the New York-based Union Bridge Company during the construction of the Hawkesbury River Rail Bridge between 1886 and 1889.

A community of around 400 Americans lived on the island, which was then home to a social hall, a library, and a school.

During the Second World War, Army and Navy personnel used Dangar Island as a base to protect the railway bridge from potential Japanese attacks.

Dangar Island is not developed for tourists, so don’t expect to find hotels, bars, or beach resorts there.

But that’s precisely what makes Dangar Island so charming, and it’s also why the locals choose to live there. It’s a small, friendly community of permanent and temporary residents living a quiet life, away from the city.

Here are some ideas for things to do on Dangar Island.

1. Walk Around the Island

The 3 km walking trail around the island is the best way to explore its unique beauty, admire the local real estate, and enjoy views across the Hawkesbury River.

We recommend following the path heading east, just south of the wharf. From there, the walk passes the playground and the bowling club before arriving at the access path to Bradleys Beach.

If you’re keen to do a bit of bushwalking, look for a small path on Riverview Avenue that goes uphill. This path is referred to as the Kiparra Park Reserve Walking Track, but is not signposted at all. In Kiparra Park, you can find evidence of Aboriginal habitation, such as rock shelters.

This walk ultimately leads to a lookout with views of Long Island and the Hawkesbury River Railroad Bridge, but these views are obscured by trees.

2. Swim at Bradleys Beach

Situated in the southern part of the island, Bradleys Beach is enjoyed all year round by locals, tourists, and visitors. It’s a gorgeous, secluded beach that can be accessed via Grantham Crescent.

It’s also quite a social beach, with visitors picnicking on warm summer days and nights and children playing on the sand or in the park.

Several major island events are also held at the beach, such as Australia Day and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

What makes this beach even more interesting is that it’s one of the very few accessible beaches in the Hornsby Shire.

3. Enjoy a Picnic

The island has a few great picnic spots, such as Bradleys Beach and the children’s playground next to the bowling club.

The playground is small, but it’s surprisingly well-equipped and well-maintained, so if you’re visiting the island with children, make sure you spend some time there.

4. Lunch at the Cafe or Bowling Club

The bowling club (a registered club) serves lunch and dinner (open Thursday to Sunday). Check out their Facebook page for more information.

The cafe next to the ferry wharf is also a great spot to enjoy a coffee and lunch.

Their menu with light meals and breakfast options is well-priced, the coffee tastes great, and the views from the terrace are excellent.

Keen to explore other islands in and around Sydney?

Read our guide on Cockatoo Island, a fascinating spot in the middle of Sydney Harbour.

Take a look at our guide to the islands of Sydney Harbour to learn more about current and former islands that exist in our beautiful Harbour.