Spencer

Neighbourhoods and Towns

2 Day - weekend

Spencer

Neighbourhoods and Towns

2 Day - weekend

Venture into the Central Coast's Hinterland gems via Spencer and you may just feel like you’ve found the “Hub of the universe”... Spencer is the hub of many things – from sustainable art, to scenic sips, from vast waterway vistas, to secret stories from the past. Spencer's surrounds also reveal World Heritage listed walks, immersive tours, and the freshest local produce enjoyed straight from the source.

This self-guide itinerary is designed to connect road trippers and adventurous travellers to the variety of experiences available when you venture west on the Central Coast for a weekend escape.

Photo opportunity: Pose with "Serenity" at Spencer's public wharf, a hand-crafted sustainable sculpture by artist Pete Rush.

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_{*This itinerary is intended as an inspirational guide only. We encourage you to check weather and road closures ahead of your visit, and if individual businesses are open. Book in advance to ensure the best experience.}

The Itinerary

Spencer Weekender: Day 1 Spencer Weekender: Day 2

Hub of the universe

Travelling north on the M1 from Sydney to the Central Coast, this is your chance to embrace tasting local produce, immersing your senses in our Hinterland's vast green scenery, and meeting the locals for a sundowner by the historic Hawkesbury River. In just 24 hours, you'll soon understand why this riverside town feels like the "Hub of the universe"...

STOP 1

The hub of gourmet goodies

Begin your journey to the secret spots in the Central Coast's hinterland with a deliciously scenic detour to Saddles in Mount White. Beeline for their gourmet bakehouse where travellers can grab house-made breads, pastries, gelato, sweet tarts, classic Aussie meat pies with grass-fed beef cheeks and wine, pork and fennel sausage rolls and very fancy looking Lamingtons.

STOP 2

The hub of farm-grown produce (and cheesecake)

Drop into The Hub of Mangrove Mountain, a friendly village store on your way to Spencer featuring a swathe of local Hinterland produce (a foodie's farm to fork dream!). With its strong community feel, this is the perfect place to support local with a simple stock up of grocery goods for your overnight stay. Are you a cheesecake fan? Wow, you're in for a treat with their famous seasonal flavours.

STOP 3

The hub of hidden waterfalls

If you're the type who likes taking a scenic stop on road trips, to hidden gems off the beaten track, make sure you enjoy the 1km bushwalk from Ironbark Picnic Area to Ironbark Falls in Popran National Park. As one of several wild waterfalls on the Central Coast, this is a refreshing way to slowly immerse yourself in the expanse of greenery that will soon surround you.

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STOP 4

The hub of quirky names

Fed and watered, now follow the superbly scenic road to Spencer, running the curves of Mangrove Creek. You may spot some of the area's history hidden in place and street names... can you see Screech Owl Valley? How about Oyster Shell Road, or Breakfast Creek and, of course, Dinner Creek? These are signs of the rich heritage stories awaiting you in the tiny riverside town of Spencer.

STOP 5

The hub of anchoring up

As you arrive in Spencer, find a parking spot by the river, soak up the view and head to The Anchor, a charming local hub for coffee, brunch or freshly cooked lunch. The warm hospitality here is the perfect welcome, perhaps washed down with a glass of white wine on the wharf overlooking the Hawkesbury River. A top place to indulge in fresh local seafood, doubling as a general store and bait shop.

STOP 6

Hub of Hawkesbury heritage

With so many hidden stories of Spencer and the Hawkebsury River's history, ensure you weave Heritage Ventures based at The Hawkesbury Duck (a memorabilia-filled mini museum) into your visit. Whether it's their flagship event Voices of the River, or pre-booking a guided walking or kayaking tour, learn from historians, geologists and an Indigenous astronomy group, respectfully exploring nearby heritage sites.

STOP 7

Hub of the afternoon cruise

One of the most invigorating things to do in Spencer and its surrounds is to hire (or if your thing, arrive by) a boat and navigate the calm waterways. Venture where the water sources meet at the confluence, cruise down to historic Wisemans Ferry, or chill with some fishing. Plan the best place to source your vessel in advance, and Spencer has an accessible public wharf, plus The Anchor will often assist guests mooring up if dining by the water's edge.

STOP 8

Hub of the Dunkirk Hotel

Sunset sips take on a new vibe in Spencer at The Dunkirk Hotel, not your ordinary watering hole but with its own Facebook following! Enjoy a cold drink by the water where you'll find a sign adorning the tree, "Dunkirk Hotel"; a no frills, outdoor spot to see the day out complete with public camp chairs, picnic tables and the world's most relaxing view. Best seat in the house, no?

STOP 9

Hub of enticing Thai food

Raved about by visitors as "one of the best Thai restaurants they've ever tasted", book a table at Spencer Thai for your evening. Serving traditional and classic favourites, you have the relaxing option of dine in or takeaway depending on how you feel after your epic day of Hinterland adventure. With your accommodation nearby, the team are often happy to deliver.

STAY - CAMPING OPTION

Mill Creek Campground, Dharug National Park

To truly immerse yourself in the natural surroundings of the Hawkesbury River area, this popular campground in nearby Gunderman, bookable through the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, is the green therapy your soul’s been seeking in the Central Coast Hinterland. Equipped for small caravans, campervans, camper trailers and tents, sleep nestled between eucalypts in the foothills of Dharug's dramatic sandstone cliffs.

STAY - CHARMING OPTION

The White House, est. 1910

Located on the water's edge in Spencer, just moments from the town's two eateries, this restored heritage style accommodation is a captivating option for those who love the intersection of comfort and period architecture. In this private home you'll enjoy stunning entertainment areas, with three bedrooms, fire pit and a spa bath to watch Dark Emu in the skies above, minus those city lights.

Rural adventures

Travel smartly & safely

Make sure you always check ahead of your journey for weather events and road closures on Council's website. You should also take smart steps to trek safely if venturing into the Dharug wilderness - a good place to start is by following our bushwalking guide here, and to always check the NPWS website for the latest alerts before visiting a national park.

Where we are

Directions

Spencer's surrounds

Take the pace down a notch and explore the simpler things in life today. Enjoy a roadside coffee and brekky roll (with a million dollar river view), the hum of abundant birdlife, a breathtaking bushwalk along the Dharug Aboriginal peoples old track to Wollombi (meeting place) as part of the Old Great North Road heritage experience. Complete your taste of our waterways with a serenely scenic drive south, pit-stopping to sample fresh oysters.

STOP 1

Hub of riverside eateries

Awaking with a sense of excitement, today is the day you walk a World Heritage listed path! Best start with a hearty breakfast. Venture just 10 minutes along the riverside road to the Wombat Cafe in Gunderman. Their fresh, hearty home-cooked style meals enjoyed on the outdoor deck in the sunshine will warm the soul ready for a morning of exploring, with the other kind of sole.

STOP 2

Hub of World Heritage walks

This morning you're walking in the footsteps of Convicts who carved the incredible engineering feat of the Old Great North Road in Dharug National Park. Embark on the trail up Devine's Hill, built by up to 720 convicts between 1826 and 1836, complete with interactive educational plaques for adults and kids. Take water, take in the views, and leave only footprints.

STOP 3

Hub of sustainable art

Head back to Spencer public wharf for a photo with the iconic local art sculpture by Pete Rush, commissioned to support tourism in the area with a stunning piece of permanent, sustainable art installed on the riverbank. Slightly damaged in the 2021 floods, on closer inspection you'll see "Serenity", a reclining woman made of Gymea lilly, is a symbol of community resilience.

STOP 4

Hub of Sunday sessions

The Anchor at Spencer really does reel you in, and what better event to relax into your afternoon than dipping into their weekend live music sessions by the river. These are the moments where locals and guests mingle and showcase what Spencer does best - no matter how small your town you can still put on a big party that everyone's invited to!

STOP 5

Hub of fresh local produce

Farewell Spencer and retrace your way along Wiseman's Ferry Road to the M1, enjoy your last taste of the Central Coast's expansive waterway ecosystems at Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed at Mooney Mooney, just before the bridge. Savour flavours straight from the source with fresh seafood platters served up, or takeaway with ice - including our famous local oysters!

STAY - OPTIONAL EXTRA DAY

Hub of last minute adventure

It's been an action-packed weekend, and noone would hold it against you for wanting to rest in nature for one more night! If you've made this a camping kind of road trip, there is a wonderfully simple accommodation option waiting for you at Greenmans on the Hawkesbury, looking to Spencer on the opposite bank. The friendly owners offer back-to-basics waterfront caravans for guests, or pitch a tent on your own patch.