This NSW island hamlet will sweep you up into a river reverie.
Let’s begin with a statement on which we all agree: nothing kills a great getaway faster than excessive crowds. That’s why insurance company ROLLiN has analysed hundreds of regional towns and destinations in search of the top hidden gem destinations in Australia. These places are genuinely little known to most of the population but still make for lust-worthy escapes not too far from home.
The report’s results are based on a number of factors including how hidden the destination is on social media, search volume hiddenness, destination quality and drive time from nearest capital city. And snagging the top slot as Australia’s top hidden gem destination is Dangar Island – a tiny floating hamlet on the Hawkesbury River.
Australia’s No. 1 hidden gem destination
Take a dip at Dangar Island. (Image: Imogen Eveson)
Welcome to Dangar Island. Kookaburras herald the rising sun, rusty fishing boats sway off honey-hued sand and boathouse wharves, and laid-back locals sip pale ale at the island’s only pub. Located off the eastern fringes of Brooklyn, the serene 30-hectare island is accessible only by boat and lies just 50 kilometres north of Sydney. Yet it feels a world away.
There are no cars on the island. Residents of the estimated 300-strong community use wheelbarrows to transport groceries between the wharf and their houses. There’s just one charming cafe and one bowling club, which are both enveloped by gorgeous unruly bushland. And peace and quiet is easy to come by. Naturally, those looking for a relaxed bush break with creative community quirks will adore this river-skirted jewel, which makes a wonderful weekend or day trip from Sydney.
How to get to Dangar Island
Take the ferry from Brooklyn to Dangar Island. (Image: Imogen Eveson)
It takes just 15 minutes to get to Dangar by boat. (Image: Imogen Eveson)
Dangar is surrounded by peaceful waters. (Image: Imogen Eveson)
Drive or take the train to Brooklyn from Sydney and then hop onboard The Sun. The quaint historic wooden ferry operated by the Brooklyn Ferry Service is now part of the NSW transport network, so you can simply tap on with your card. The ferry takes about 15 minutes and has frequent departures between 6:10am and 7:30pm Monday through Friday, and between 8:00am and 6:30pm on weekends and public holidays.
Best things to do on Dangar Island
Everything on Dangar Island is within walking distance. (Image: Imogen Eveson)
While it’s small, there’s just enough to do on Dangar Island to fill a blissful low-key weekend. First head to Dangar Island Depot next to the ferry wharf for coffee under the sun and tasty brunch bites ranging from BLTs to hot honey and goat cheese-topped toast. Open daily, the cafe – which doubles as a grocery store and post office – brings the island’s small community and visitors together.
Dangar Island Bowling Club is the island’s other key establishment. Slip in for afternoon drinks or pizza night by the community garden. The menu spans chipotle sweet potato fries and fresh seafood catch to crowd favourites like burgers. And don’t miss the live music held on some Sundays.
Spot colourful birdlife. (Image: Imogen Eveson)
At high tide, make a beeline for Bradley’s Beach for a relaxing dip. It’s the only sand beach on the island and where you’ll find people unwinding under beach umbrellas and floating by on stand-up paddleboards. Then set out on the loop walk that takes you up and around the island through the bush, passing quirky ‘roadside’ attractions created by locals such as the giant scrabble board with words that often speak to the beauty of Dangar. It’s like a fun, mini sculpture trail with plenty of bird-spotting opportunities.
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Where to stay on Dangar Island
Watch the river flow by at Banksia Boathouse. (Image: Imogen Eveson)
Banksia Boathouse is right on the beach. (Image: Imogen Eveson)
Design details at Banksia Boathouse. (Image: Imogen Eveson)
There are a handful of Airbnbs and holiday rentals on Dangar Island that will sweep you up into a river reverie. One such stay is Banksia Boathouse, a beautifully designed and perfectly positioned Airbnb for two just steps from the sand. You’ll also wake up to the sound of waves lapping the shore at Deerubbin Boat House, a 1990s stay ideal for larger group on Bradley’s Beach.
Australia’s other top hidden gem destinations
According to ROLLiN, the below destinations are leading the charge when it comes to under-the-radar escapes that are worth your time.
Dangar Island, NSW
Killcare, NSW
Mintaro, SA
Manyana, NSW
Dawesville, WA
Aldgate, SA
Pialligo, ACT
Watervale, SA
Woonona, NSW
Littlehampton, SA
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Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or hunting down Sydney's cosiest cafes.
An untapped side to this popular holiday spot is hiding in plain sight.
Laidback Lake Macquarie draws in holidaygoers and day trippers with its casual coastal allure and raw beauty. But even though it’s just 90 minutes from Sydney, most visitors have only scratched the surface of what this region has to offer.
Foodie hotspots, quaint towns, tranquil waterways and compelling art are all waiting to be discovered. You just need to know where to find them.
1. Most visitors don’t make it to the western side
Explore beyond the western side. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)
While there’s no harm in walking the well-worn path in this idyllic pocket of the world, the area west of Lake Macquarie is defined by stretches of ancient rainforests and quaint towns with a more local feel. Toronto is the largest town on this side and features a golf course and sailing clubs, while peninsula-based Wangi Wangi is fantastic for bushwalking and swimming.
2. There’s a booming arts scene
Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG.
Lake Macquarie is a must-visit destination for creatives. Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG; this modern gallery is set on a five-hectare sculpture park and showcases a free rotating program of exhibitions and events, with a strong focus on contemporary Aboriginal art. In Wangi Wangi, explore the Wangi Owl Trail, which includes Dobell House, the preserved home of prolific artist Sir William Dobell. And enjoy live music every Saturday evening at the recently renovated Toronto Hotel.
3. It’s a nature lover’s paradise
In and out of the water, find a natural paradise. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)
Lake Macquarie is a playground for nature lovers. It’s home to Australia’s largest saltwater lake, a 110-square-kilometre haven for swimming, fishing, boating and sunset views. Another oasis is the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area, a 761-hectare protected reserve with wildflowers, Second World War heritage sites and spectacular views to Pulbah Island. The upgraded Toronto baths, complete with jetty decking and netting, make for a sheltered spot for a refreshing dip, while the Awaba Mountain Bike Park gives adrenaline junkies their fix.
4. The dining scene is unbeatable
Treat yourself to 8 at Trinity.
Gourmands are well looked after in Lake Macquarie. At Emerson’s on the Lake in Toronto, the modern Australian fine dining menu spoils seafood lovers with the freshest ocean produce and stunning lake views. Sitting on Trinity Point’s waterfront, 8 at Trinity is another standout offering, serving Mediterranean fare in an open-air setting. For a more relaxed affair, the microbrewery trail lets craft beer enthusiasts sip on inventive brews from The Yard, Lake Mac Brewing and Bread & Brewery.
5. There are hidden coves and waterways
Get out onto the lake. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)
There’s no better way to experience Lake Macquarie than directly on its waters, and in doing so you’ll discover a world of hidden coves and secluded waterways. Jump in a kayak for a tour with the friendly team at School of Yak and paddle to Cockle Creek, Awaba Bay, Green Point and Fennel Bay, discovering underwater life along the way. Or go all in and stay the night on one of Lake Macquarie Houseboats’ spacious vessels or hire a BBQ pontoon boat for the day from Lake Macquarie Boat Hire to enjoy a feast in the sunshine while admiring the marine life and picturesque waterscape.
6. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise
Keep an eye out for local birdlife. (Credit: Walter Coppola)
Twitchers are in for a real treat as hundreds of fascinating bird species such as Australian pelicans, black swans, white-bellied sea-eagles and superb fairy-wrens call this area home. Take a self-guided tour around top spots including Bird Cage Point and Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area (near Morisset) or be guided in a clear-bottom kayak through the waterways with Lake Macquarie Kayak Adventures, observing feathered friends as you go.
7. The lake has islands
Charter a boat to see Lake Macquarie’s islands.
Hop on a private boat, kayak or charter around the lake to discover the plethora of small islands peppered around Lake Macquarie. The largest is Pulbah Island, a 69-hectare nature reserve home to goannas and sugar gliders with secluded beaches. Sandy islands such as Spectacle Island and Pelican Island have a tropical lagoon-like look to them as they sit in the tidal path of Swansea Channel, which filters the sand and creates a pristine environment. Stop by for a dip and a picnic.
