12 Of The Best Hawkesbury River Stays For A Weekend Escape From Sydney

The Boatshed is a cosy cabin with rustic charm, offering uninterrupted views of the Hawkesbury River from car-free Dangar Island. Accessible by boat, ferry or water taxi, this unique retreat accommodates up to three guests plus pets if arranged prior.

The open-plan studio has a well-equipped kitchen and comfy queen bed, with made-up double and single sofa beds available upon request—perfect for kids or an extra friend. The shady balcony and downstairs deck make for ideal sunrise-watching spots, while the private jetty invites swimming, fishing and kayaking.

Explore the island on foot by heading up the stairs to the island's main walking track, grab a bite from the cafe or bowling club (but check their hours first), and check out Bradley’s Beach, just a sandy stroll along the beachfront.

Nestled amongst the trees at Berowra Waters is the family-friendly River Treehouse Escape. The light-filled space features four cosy bedrooms fitting eight people, a living room with a fireplace, a modern loft kitchen and a spacious dining room that overlooks the Hawkesbury River.

The property is accessible via boat only with pick-up and drop-off from Berowra Waters Marina included, plus a tinny, kayaks, and SUPs provided to explore hidden beaches and top dining spots nearby like Peats Bite, Berowra Waters Inn and famed Italian restaurant A Chef Secrets just a short paddle away.

Amaroo Cottage and Boathouse is a beautifully restored 1920s waterfront property, offering an unparalleled Hawkesbury River stay for six. 

The main cottage accommodates four guests in two bedrooms, with an expansive verandah connecting the master and lounge room, a redesigned kitchen incorporating the original sandstone walls and tranquil gardens featuring a barbecue area with picnic tables—perfect for enjoying a morning coffee or an afternoon spritz in the sun. 

The front boathouse studio has room for two more guests with its own double bed and private jetty. Accessible only by boat, this serene sanctuary is ideal for family holidays or romantic getaways for three couples.

Prepare for a proper adventure. You’ll need a boat to get to this stunning property at Milsons Passage on the Hawkesbury River, but it’s super easy to hire one from Brooklyn Marina or Berowra Waters with no licence needed. Imagine taking to the water in your own floating vessel and feeling the wind in your hair as you putter towards your riverside accommodation. Prefer to leave it to the experts? You can always get a 20-minute water taxi instead.

Once you arrive you’ll be greeted by a charming vine-covered verandah, a hammock over the water and an outdoor fire pit for nights under the stars. Inside, you’ve got two bedrooms with king beds, a custom kitchen and a breezy living space that flows seamlessly into the outdoors. Grab the complimentary kayaks and head out for a paddle, or perhaps a spot of fishing sounds tempting instead. Come sunset on Fridays and Saturdays you can order a pizza for river delivery and have it brought to your door.

Perched above Patonga Beach and the Hawkesbury River, Patonga House offers a secluded stay set on ten acres of lush bushland. The two-level property features two bedrooms and two bathrooms on each floor, a modern kitchen equipped with Smeg appliances and comfy boucle couches in the lounge room spilling out onto the shaded balcony with expansive views.

Embrace year-round relaxation in the sparkling heated magnesium pool and the outdoor panoramic sauna before cooling off in the open-air shower. Located just two minutes from Patonga Beach, Pearl Beach and the renowned Boathouse Hotel, the property is easily accessible to all vehicles with ample parking.

If a private beach, pontoon, and total seclusion sounds like your kind of escape, this off-grid, adults-only hideaway at Coba Point is for you. Completely powered by renewable energy and accessible only by boat, the Hawkesbury River house is all about laid-back luxury—think a cosy queen bedroom, reading nooks, a grassy garden with a hammock, and a wraparound balcony with a barbecue, daybed, and outdoor table, plus an extra studio for a potential double date, available on request.

Gather the gang and prepare for a super Hawkesbury River getaway at this restored heritage home set on 75 acres of private land. The river is right there for exploring in one of the six kayaks supplied for guest use, but if you’re feeling a little less energetic, you’ve got your own little beach as well as hammocks under the trees to lounge in. Perhaps a stint in the wood fired sauna sounds tempting or how about a soak in the barrel-shaped hot tub? Come sunset you might fancy group drinks on the hill around the fire pit before throwing a margarita in the pizza oven. 

A huge plus about this place is that it offers a range of accommodation options. There’s the  188-year-old heritage homestead, but also three contemporary suites situated in the renovated tractor shed. Need even more sleeping options. Berry Hill can sleep more than 14 guests in stylish bell glamping tents for an additional fee. These bad boys are fully furnished and have king or twin spring mattress beds for added luxe appeal.

Resting at the point where Berowra Creek joins the Hawkesbury River, next to Peats Bite Restaurant, Sunny River Cottage is a peaceful four-bed, three-bath retreat for eight, designed by Tamsin Johnson, with stunning northerly river views from every room. 

This eco-friendly, eclectic stay is perfect for groups, featuring a showstopping glass sunroom, fully-equipped kitchen, designer bathrooms with patterned tiling, both an indoor fireplace and outdoor fire pit, plus its own private jetty for docking a BYO boat.

Arrive by boat from Kangaroo Point, near Brooklyn, only 45 minutes from Sydney (transfers can be arranged for an additional fee) or travel in style by seaplane from Sydney Harbour, just a scenic 20-minute flight away.

This hideout in Gunderman is perfect for families or small groups of seven, offering three bedrooms and two baths with spectacular river viewpoints throughout the house. 

Conveniently accessible by car, the airy property features an open-concept living and kitchen space, along with a kid-friendly, converted garage-turned-games room.

Outside you’ll find an expansive deck with shaded sunbeds and a hammock, a private jetty for fishing and swimming off, and an open fire pit surrounded by timber bench seating—the prime spot for roasting marshmallows and stargazing. 

While guests are supplied with 3.5L of water, bringing additional drinking water is recommended as the property relies on a rainwater collection and septic system.

Once a post office, The Patonga Cottage is a charming, coastal holiday home situated on the Patonga foreshore beside The Boathouse Hotel and Restaurant, only an hour out of Sydney.

Suitable for eight guests, the property boasts four air-conditioned bedrooms, a living room with a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen leading into an alfresco terrace with a large dining table, a private heated pool, and an outdoor fireplace.

Located just a stone's throw from delicious dining options, the Patonga to Pearl Beach walking track and Pearl Beach tennis courts, there’s plenty to do, making this spot an ideal getaway for a fun-filled yet relaxing stay. 

Watch the yachts sail by from the comfort of your own lounge at this two-bedroom waterfront property on the banks of Cowan Creek, a sub-catchment of the beautiful Hawkesbury River. The living space here has heaps of natural light, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that lead out onto a large balcony. 

Head down the steps and you’ll find yourself on the deck, where you’ve got an outdoor dining area as well as your own pontoon. The owners of this pad supply two kayaks, life jackets and two fishing rods for you to use, and you’re walking distance to Cottage Point Kiosk where you can hire a boat and enjoy a meal if it takes your fancy.