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Dangar Island
Dangar Island is a forested island, 30.8 hectares (76 acres) in area, 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 Guringai Aboriginal 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. 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.
The island was purchased in 1864 and renamed by Henry Cary Dangar, the son of Henry Dangar, a surveyor, pastoralist and parliamentarian.
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.
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. 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.
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.
Per the 2021 census, 313 people live on Dangar Island. 63.3% of residents were born in Australia, with the next most common countries of birth being England at 13.7%, New Zealand at 5.1%, the United States of America at 4.2%, Germany at 1.6% and the Netherlands at 1.6%. 90.4% of people speak only English at home, followed by Spanish at 1.9%, Mandarin at 1.6% and French at 1.0%. The most common response for religion was No Religion at 65.2%, followed by Anglican at 8.6%, Catholic at 6.7% and Buddhism at 3.2%.
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.
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Dangar Island
Dangar Island is a forested island, 30.8 hectares (76 acres) in area, 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 Guringai Aboriginal 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. 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.
The island was purchased in 1864 and renamed by Henry Cary Dangar, the son of Henry Dangar, a surveyor, pastoralist and parliamentarian.
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.
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. 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.
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.
Per the 2021 census, 313 people live on Dangar Island. 63.3% of residents were born in Australia, with the next most common countries of birth being England at 13.7%, New Zealand at 5.1%, the United States of America at 4.2%, Germany at 1.6% and the Netherlands at 1.6%. 90.4% of people speak only English at home, followed by Spanish at 1.9%, Mandarin at 1.6% and French at 1.0%. The most common response for religion was No Religion at 65.2%, followed by Anglican at 8.6%, Catholic at 6.7% and Buddhism at 3.2%.
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.
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