Dangar Island is a forested island, 30.8 hectares (76 acres) in area,[4] in the Hawkesbury River, on the northern outskirts of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Dangar Island is a suburb of Hornsby Shire, and as of the 2021 census, has a population of 313, which swells dramatically during holiday seasons. The island is serviced regularly by Brooklyn Ferry Service and departs from Brooklyn and takes about fifteen minutes.The Brooklyn ferry is itself adjacent to Hawkesbury River railway station. The ferry service is in operation 7 days a week.
Dangar Island has been known to the local GuringaiAboriginal nation for thousands of years. The first European to visit the area was Governor Arthur Phillip, who explored the lower river by small boat in March 1788, within weeks of the First Fleet's arrival. He named it Mullet Island, for the abundance of fish in the local Hawkesbury River.[5] At first, the local people were friendly towards him, but when he returned a year later, they would not come into contact. By 1790, over half the Guringai people had succumbed to the smallpox the British had brought with them.[6]
Dangar leased the island to the Union Bridge Company of Chicago for the construction of the original Hawkesbury River Rail Bridge between 1886 and 1889. About 300 workers and their families lived there and the island boasted a large social hall, school, library and its own newspaper.[8]
A large building known as the Marine Hotel was built around 1890. In 1892-93, it offered "First Class refreshments at Sydney prices. Bathing, Fishing, Oystering, Tennis Courts, Skittle Alley, etc.". Visitors reached the island by train and ferry, or by steamer.[9][10] Most of the building was destroyed by fire in 1939, but a separate section of the hotel called The Pavilion survived the fire and is now a private residence.[11]
In the 1920s the island was divided into residential plots, though space was reserved on the beach, the flat and the top of the hill for recreational use. Dangar Island Post Office opened on 1 September 1951 and closed in 1986.[12]
In contrast to much of the surrounding area, which is designated national park, Dangar Island is relatively heavily inhabited. The island has several tarmacked roads which are closed off to all but the community fire truck, the council ute and vehicles with special permits. There are no private cars on the island. A wheelbarrow is a common method used to haul goods from the ferry. The island has one shop/café, and a bowling club for members and visitors which has a bar. The island also has a community hall that supports several community groups, including a children's film workshop, and mains water.
The island was connected to the water supply system by the then Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board in 1971. The island has since been connected to the Sydney sewerage system by Sydney Water using a pipeline to the mainland. Septic tanks are quickly being phased out by most residents, providing a boost to the Hawkesbury waterways surrounding Dangar Island. Mail is delivered to the island daily by Australia's last Riverboat Postman.
The island has a shop next to the ferry wharf that serves light snacks, coffee, breakfast and lunch. It also sells groceries and has a good supply of meat. On the weekend, the Dangar Island Bowling Club, which is licensed, serves meals and hosts games of bowls.
Island access
Travelling by road from the south, from either Sydney or Hornsby, access is available via the M1 motorway. Travellers can drive across the Hawkesbury River Bridge at Kangaroo Point, and follow the Brooklyn-Mooney Mooney turnoff just after the river crossing. Travelling by road from the north, from either Newcastle or Gosford, access is available via the M1 motorway. On approaching the Hawkesbury River, the motorway exit is along the Brooklyn-Mooney Mooney turnoff on the left hand side. The route continues through Brooklyn village, terminating at a public car park adjacent to the Dangar Island Ferry Wharf.[14]
Rail travellers can catch any all-stations train on the Central Coast & Newcastle line. If travelling from Central (Sydney), the train departs from the InterCity section (Platforms 1–15). Alight at Hawkesbury River Railway Station (after Cowan railway station). Access to and from the station platforms is available through lifts. The Dangar Island ferry can be seen on the left leaving the station.
↑ "The Legislative Assembly District of Hornsby". NSW Electoral Commission. Localities and Postcodes. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024. Arcadia, Asquith, Berowra, Berowra Creek, Berowra Heights, Berowra Waters, Berrilee, Brooklyn, Canoelands, Castle Hill, Cherrybrook, Cowan, Dangar Island, Dural, Fiddletown, Forest Glen, Galston, Glenhaven, Glenorie, Hornsby, Hornsby Heights, Laughtondale, Maroota, Middle Dural, Milsons Passage, Mount Colah, Mount Kuring-Gai, Pennant Hills, Singletons Mill, West Pennant Hills, Wisemans Ferry.
↑ "Profile of the electoral division of Berowra (NSW)". Australian Electoral Commission. 19 November 2019. Location Description. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024. Berowra covers an area from Hawkesbury River in the north, to the M2, Pennant Hills Road and North Rocks Road in the South. Osborn and Normanhurst Rd and Main Northern Railway and Belmont Parade, Cockle and Cowan Creeks in the east, Hawkesbury, Bellbird and Cattai Creeks, Boundary Road, Taylor Street, High Road, Castle Hill Road, Main Northern Railway, Old Northern Road, Gilbert Road, Merrick Way, Gawin Court and Linksley Avenue in the west. Suburbs include Annangrove, Arcadia, Berowra, Brooklyn, Cattai, Cherrybrook, Cowan, Dangar Island, Galston, Glenorie, Hornsby (part), Maroota, Middle Dural, Mount Colah (part), Mount Kuring-gai, Pennant Hills, Westleigh, West Pennant Hills and Wisemans Ferry.
↑ Rowland, Joan (2008). "Dangar Island". web page. Dictionary of Sydney. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
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