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Hawkesbury River Boating Guide: Destinations & Tips

The Hawkesbury River is one of the great boating waterways near Sydney — a vast, winding river system that stretches over 120 kilometres from its headwaters near Goulburn through sandstone gorges, bushland reserves, and quiet riverside towns before emptying into Broken Bay just north of Sydney. For Sydney-based boaters, the Hawkesbury offers an escape into a landscape that feels genuinely wild, despite being less than an hour from the CBD.

Why is the Hawkesbury River one of Sydney's best boating destinations?

The Hawkesbury River offers boaters a dramatically different experience from Sydney Harbour. Where the harbour delivers urban scenery, iconic landmarks, and busy waterways, the Hawkesbury provides deep sandstone gorges, national park bushland, quiet anchorages, and the sense that you have left the city entirely behind. The river is navigable for recreational vessels for tens of kilometres, and its many tributaries — Cowan Creek, Berowra Creek, and others — multiply the cruising area enormously.

The Hawkesbury is also a fishing destination of national significance. Estuary species like jewfish (mulloway), flathead, bream, and luderick are all caught in good numbers, and the deeper holes and rocky drop-offs provide excellent structure fishing.

For members of a boat club based on Sydney Harbour, a Hawkesbury River trip is the natural next step after exploring the harbour's bays and headlands. It is the kind of boating that turns a day trip into a genuine adventure.

How do I get to the Hawkesbury River by boat?

There are two main approaches for harbour-based boaters.

Via Pittwater and Broken Bay

If departing from Church Point or Pittwater, head north past Barrenjoey Head and into Broken Bay. The Hawkesbury River enters Broken Bay from the west, and you simply follow the river upstream. This is the most scenic approach and keeps you in sheltered water for most of the journey (Broken Bay can be choppy in strong conditions).

Via trailer from Brooklyn or other launch points

For trailer boaters, several public ramps provide direct access to the river:

• Brooklyn — The most popular launch point. A well-maintained public ramp sits near the railway bridge. Brooklyn also has fuel, a general store, and the famous Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed.
• Wisemans Ferry — Further upstream, offering access to the upper Hawkesbury. Public ramp available.
• Spencer — A quieter launch point on the northern bank, popular with fishing boaters.
• Berowra Waters — A small community accessible by road, with a ferry crossing and boat ramp. It sits at the junction of Berowra Creek and the main river, providing access to some excellent cruising water.

What are the best destinations on the Hawkesbury River?

Brooklyn

Brooklyn is the hub of the lower Hawkesbury. The small township sits beside the railway bridge and offers fuel, a general store, restaurants, and the Hawkesbury River Marina. Brooklyn is a practical base for provisioning, refuelling, and as a starting or ending point for a river trip.

The riverside dining options include fish and chips from the marina and oysters from the river itself. The Hawkesbury is one of Australia's premier oyster-growing regions, and fresh Sydney rock oysters are available from several outlets.

Cowan Creek

Cowan Creek branches south from the main river just west of Brooklyn. It is one of the Hawkesbury's most spectacular tributaries — a narrow, deep waterway carved through sandstone, bordered by Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park on both sides.

Key spots in Cowan Creek include:

• Apple Tree Bay — A small reserve with a jetty, picnic facilities, and walking trails. Popular with families.
• Smiths Creek — A quiet tributary perfect for anchoring and swimming.
• Jerusalem Bay — A larger bay further south, popular for overnight anchoring. The bushland setting is stunning, and the walking trail to the ridgeline offers panoramic views.

Cowan Creek is sheltered from most wind conditions and has deep water throughout. It is one of the best places on the river for a peaceful day or overnight trip.

Berowra Creek

Berowra Creek is another major tributary, entering the Hawkesbury from the south. It is similar in character to Cowan Creek — deep, narrow, and bordered by national park. Berowra Waters, the small community at the creek's entrance, has a marina, a general store, and the acclaimed Berowra Waters Inn, a fine-dining restaurant accessible only by boat or seaplane.

Further up Berowra Creek, the waterway narrows and the bushland closes in. The anchorages here are quiet and beautiful, and the fishing is excellent.

Cottage Point

Cottage Point sits at the junction of Cowan Creek and Coal and Candle Creek. The small community has a marina with fuel, and the Cottage Point Inn offers fine waterfront dining. It is a popular lunch stop for boaters exploring the creek system.

Jerusalem Bay

Jerusalem Bay is one of the Hawkesbury's most popular anchorages. Located on Cowan Creek, it offers a wide, protected bay with good holding in 4 to 8 metres over mud. The bushland setting is pristine, and the bay is large enough to accommodate many boats without feeling crowded.

Walking trails lead from Jerusalem Bay into the national park, including a trail to the ridgeline with views over the river and the surrounding landscape.

Marramarra Creek

Marramarra Creek branches off the main Hawkesbury upstream of Brooklyn. It passes through Marramarra National Park and offers quiet anchorages surrounded by sandstone cliffs and eucalypt forest. The creek is less visited than Cowan and Berowra, making it a good choice for boaters seeking solitude.

Wisemans Ferry

Further upstream, Wisemans Ferry is a historic river crossing point. The township offers basic facilities, a pub, and the sense of having travelled deep into the Australian landscape. The river here is wide, slow, and bordered by farmland and bush — a different character from the gorges downstream.

What about fishing on the Hawkesbury?

The Hawkesbury River is one of the best estuary fishing destinations in NSW. Key species and locations include:

• Jewfish (mulloway) — Found throughout the river, particularly in the deeper holes and around structure. Night fishing on the change of tide is the classic approach.
• Flathead — Abundant on the sandy flats and channels. Soft plastics and bait both work well.
• Bream — Found everywhere, from the marina pylons at Brooklyn to the rocky shores of the creek systems.
• Luderick — Excellent winter fishing, particularly around the rock walls and weed-covered structures.
• Squid — Found in the clearer waters around the river mouth and Broken Bay.

Standard NSW recreational fishing regulations apply, including bag limits and minimum sizes. A recreational fishing licence is required.

What are the best anchorages on the Hawkesbury for an overnight stay?

The Hawkesbury is perfectly suited to overnight and multi-day boating trips. The best overnight anchorages include:

• Jerusalem Bay — Wide, protected, good holding. The most popular overnight spot.
• Smiths Creek — Narrow and secluded. Perfect for a quiet night.
• Refuge Bay — On the main river west of Brooklyn. Sheltered from westerly winds.
• Apple Tree Bay — Close to Brooklyn, with facilities ashore.
• Marramarra Creek — Remote and quiet.

When anchoring overnight, display an appropriate anchor light, check the weather forecast for overnight wind changes, and ensure your anchor is properly set. The river can experience strong tidal flow, particularly in the narrow creek sections, so allow adequate scope on your anchor rode.

What conditions should I expect on the Hawkesbury?

Tidal influence

The Hawkesbury is tidal for a significant distance upstream. Tidal range at Brooklyn is around 1.5 metres on spring tides, decreasing further upstream. Tidal flow can be strong in the narrow creek sections, particularly on the ebb. Plan your passages to work with the tide where possible.

Wind

The gorges and creek systems provide good wind protection, but the main river can be exposed. Westerly winds, common during winter cold fronts, can build significant chop on the wider sections. The afternoon north-east sea breeze rarely penetrates far into the river system.

Water temperature

Water temperature varies seasonally. Summer temperatures reach the mid-20s (Celsius), making swimming comfortable. In winter, the water drops to the mid-teens — wetsuit territory for most people.

Navigation

The Hawkesbury is generally deep and well-charted. Shallow areas exist at the mouths of some tributaries and around sand flats. A depth sounder is essential, and up-to-date charts should be carried. The river is not lit at night, so plan to be at anchor before dark if you are unfamiliar with the area.

How should I plan a Hawkesbury River boating trip?

Day trip from Sydney Harbour

A day trip is possible but ambitious. Departing early from Pittwater or the main harbour, you can reach Brooklyn in 60 to 90 minutes (from Pittwater), explore Cowan Creek, have lunch at Cottage Point, and return by late afternoon. It is a full day.

Weekend trip

A weekend trip allows a more relaxed pace. Depart Saturday morning, cruise up the river, anchor overnight in Jerusalem Bay or Smiths Creek, and return Sunday. This is the ideal introduction to the Hawkesbury.

Extended cruise

With more time, you can explore the full length of the navigable river. Push upstream to Wisemans Ferry, explore Marramarra Creek, fish the deep holes, and take in a landscape that few Sydney residents ever see from the water.

For boat club members who want to extend their Sydney Harbour experience, the Hawkesbury is the ultimate destination. It combines the best of river boating — calm water, quiet anchorages, excellent fishing — with wilderness scenery that rivals anywhere in Australia.

Whether you access it via Pittwater and Church Point or by trailering to Brooklyn, the Hawkesbury delivers a boating experience that is genuinely different from anything on the harbour. Once you have spent a night anchored in a sandstone gorge with kookaburras as your alarm clock, you will understand why so many Sydney boaters call the Hawkesbury their favourite waterway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a licence to boat on the Hawkesbury River? You need a NSW boat licence to operate a powered vessel on the Hawkesbury, just as you do anywhere in NSW waters. A recreational fishing licence is also required if you plan to fish.

Is there fuel available on the Hawkesbury? Yes, fuel is available at Brooklyn (Hawkesbury River Marina), Berowra Waters Marina, and Cottage Point. Check opening hours before relying on any single location.

Can I take a large boat up the Hawkesbury? The river is navigable for most recreational vessels for a considerable distance upstream. However, the railway bridge at Brooklyn has limited clearance for tall vessels. Check your air draft before approaching.

Is the Hawkesbury safe for swimming? Yes, the water quality in the creek systems is generally excellent. Some areas may have lower visibility after rain. Bull sharks have been recorded in the Hawkesbury, though encounters are extremely rare. Exercise normal caution.

How far is Brooklyn from Sydney? Brooklyn is approximately 50 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD, or about 50 minutes by car via the M1 motorway.