Last verified Sept 26
Dangar Island is a small, car-free island on the Hawkesbury River near Brooklyn, about one hour north of Sydney and a short ferry ride from Brooklyn.
It’s one of the most peaceful day trips from the Central Coast or Sydney, known for its relaxed pace, waterfront café, and quiet walking paths.
I liked Dangar Island the moment I stepped off the ferry.
The café overlooking the river, jacarandas lining the shore, and wheelbarrows parked at the wharf instead of cars immediately set the tone. But more than anything, it was the slower rhythm of the island that stood out.
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Dangar Island at a Glance
Things to Do on Dangar Island
The best thing to do here is to walk around the island and experience it like a local.
Drink a coffee at Dangar Island Depot. Then walk the 4-km loop around the local streets. Enjoy the beautiful houses surrounded by lush vegetation.
There are toilets near the Bowlo and a general store beside the jetty.
Walk Around Dangar Island
- Bradleys Beach loop: 1.7 km · allow 45 minutes
- Riverview loop: 2.8 km · allow 1½ hours
- Full island walk: 4.3 km · allow 2¼ hours
All walks start at the ferry wharf. The full walk is moderate; the Bradleys Beach loop is easy to moderate.
One of the best ways to experience Dangar Island is to walk the full loop around its quiet residential streets.
The full 4.3 km walk includes hills and is graded moderate. Along the way, you’ll pass the community hall, bowling club, playground and Bradleys Beach.
Riverview Avenue takes you around Kiparra Park, a bushland reserve on the island’s highest point, where you’ll get elevated views over the Hawkesbury River.
All roads eventually lead back to the ferry wharf, so it’s hard to get lost.
Swim at Bradleys Beach
Bradleys Beach is a narrow stretch of sand on the island’s southern side.
Cottages and lush vegetation fringe the beach, and many small boats are anchored offshore.
It’s the place where children play and locals go to cool off. The beach is often calm and shallow near the shore, but there’s no patrol, so take care and check conditions on the day.
You can access the beach via Grantham Cres.
Have a picnic and enjoy a swim in the calm waters of the Hawkesbury River.
Bradleys Beach is a popular gathering spot on Australia Day and New Year’s Eve.
Dining & Refreshments
After alighting from the ferry, head to Dangar Island Depot. It’s a delightful cafe beside the ferry wharf.
The cafe serves all-day breakfast and lunch. Enjoy a delicious fair trade coffee and a fresh burger with free-range eggs.
It opens daily from 8am to 4pm.
Sit at a peaceful table overlooking the Hawkesbury River and the bridge. It’s a relaxed spot to sit and watch the river.
For dinner, head to Dangar Island Bowling Club located on Grantham Cres.
The bowling club and community hall are important places for the locals who come together there.
The bowling club opens for dinner from Thursday to Saturday and lunch on Saturday and Sunday.
Have a relaxing dinner with fish and chips, salt and pepper squids, or a gourmet burger. They also often hold pizza nights. There’s barefoot bowls available. And events and performances like live music and the popular open mic nights frequently happen there.
Wildlife and Nature
Dangar Island feels close to nature the moment you arrive. It’s surrounded by the calm waters of the Hawkesbury River, and pockets of native bushland remain, especially around Kiparra Park.
Birdlife is easy to spot. You’ll often see pelicans drifting along the river, cormorants perched on boats with their wings spread, and cockatoos or rainbow lorikeets moving through the trees. It’s not a formal birdwatching destination, but the slower pace makes it easy to notice what’s around you.
In the warmer months, the river becomes more active, with fish moving near the shoreline and small boats anchored just offshore.
You’ll often see sightseeing boats and small cruise vessels passing along this stretch of the Hawkesbury River.
As always, respect the natural environment and local community when exploring.
How to Get to Dangar Island
Dangar Island is accessed by ferry from Brooklyn Public Wharf beside Hawkesbury River Station.
Or you can also catch a water taxi.
By Ferry
The Brooklyn Ferry Service operates a restored historic vessel that travels between Brooklyn and Dangar Island several times a day.
The trip takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on whether the ferry stops at Little Wobby on the way.
The ferry operates from Brooklyn Public Wharf. Tap your Opal card or bank card once at Brooklyn Public Wharf. You don’t need to tap off at Dangar Island or Little Wobby. The ferry doesn’t accept cash.
Check your return ferry time before planning lunch or dinner, especially if you want to stay into the evening.
By Water Taxi
You can also call or book a water taxi. The water taxi can be quite useful if you miss the ferry or carry a lot of luggage.
Call 0422 300 100 or book here.
How to Get to Brooklyn Public Wharf
By Train
Travelling by train is the easiest way to make the journey. The Brooklyn Public Wharf is a 5-minute walk from the train station. The station is called Hawkesbury River Station.
The ferries usually coincide with the train timetable, but check both timetables in advance.
The train trip takes 1 hour from Sydney Central Station.
If you’re coming from the Central Coast, the train trip takes 25 minutes from Gosford Station.
By Car
You can also drive to Brooklyn via the M1 Freeway. Take the Mooney Mooney / Brooklyn (B83) exit.
Check directions on Google Maps.
There’s a carpark beside the Brooklyn Public Wharf and free off-road parking. But parking spots can fill up fast at the weekends and school holidays. So travel by train if you can. Or allow enough time to find parking.
Can You Stay on Dangar Island?
Yes, but accommodation is limited. Most properties on Dangar Island are private homes, with only a small number available as short-term holiday rentals.
Staying overnight gives you a very different experience compared to a day trip. The island is quiet in the evenings, and without cars or traffic, it feels peaceful and removed from the mainland.
Most visitors book through short-term rental platforms. Availability can be limited, especially on weekends and during school holidays.
There is a small general store for basic supplies, and a paid luggage buggy service operates from the ferry wharf if you have heavy bags.
Dangar Island History
Dangar Island has a long Aboriginal history and was traditionally used as a gathering place for thousands of years before European settlement.
In 1788, Governor Arthur Phillip explored the Hawkesbury River and named the island Mullet Island after the fish caught there. It later became Crown land and was leased for salt production in the early 1800s.
The island was purchased in 1864 by Henry Carey Dangar, a prominent pastoralist and politician. The name Dangar Island began appearing on maps in the 1870s and was officially adopted in 1922. It was later used as a base during the construction of the Hawkesbury River railway bridge and again during World War II to help protect the bridge.
Subdivision began in the 1920s, and today the island remains a small residential community and a peaceful holiday escape.
Questions and Answers
Can you swim? Where?
Yes, swimming is popular at Bradleys Beach on the southern side of the island. The water is often calm and shallow near the shore, but there is no lifeguard patrol. Conditions vary with tides and weather, so assess on the day before entering the water.
Is it kid-friendly?
Dangar Island can be a relaxed place to visit with children, especially for families who enjoy outdoor exploring. There are no large playgrounds or attractions, but kids can ride bikes along the quiet roads and swim at Bradleys Beach under supervision. Keep in mind there are no cars on the island, but there is also limited infrastructure.
Best time to visit?
Dangar Island can be visited year-round. Spring and autumn offer comfortable walking weather, while summer is ideal for swimming and long lunches by the river. Weekends and public holidays can be busier, especially around ferry times.
How long should you spend on Dangar Island?
Most visitors spend half a day exploring the island, having lunch at the café and walking the 4.3 km loop. If you want a slower pace, stay overnight in a holiday rental to experience the island when the day visitors leave.
Find out more great day trips from the Central Coast.