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.
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
AI Prompt
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
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 testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.
You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.
All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.
1. Stockton Sand Dunes
Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.
Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.
Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)
2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk
A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.
History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.
Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)
3. Watch out for whales
You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.
And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.
Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)
4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.
Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.
See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)
5. Diving Port Stephens
Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.
Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.
At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.
Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)
6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters
Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.
Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.
Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)
7. Fish the estuaries
Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.
If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.
Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)
8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours
With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.
Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.
Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.
Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)
