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.

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.

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.