The Original Tea Gardens Ferry 

History of Port Stephens & The Original Tea Gardens Ferry

These ferries (there are 3 of them) are an iconic part of Port Stephens and Nelson Bay/Tea Gardens history and in my research I found out a bit more about them, which I have added down below.

They have recently been restored after a new owner came on board and through using some true grit, elbow grease and a bit of spit, has made these old ladies of the bay gleam again.

Who's the new owner of the ferries? Well it's Kerrie, who has now become known to everyone as Kerrie from the Ferry and now she even signs off her emails as 'Kerrie from the Ferry'! 

Today, the ferry service operates two historic timber ferries (and as I type these words out, I can see one from my window, majestically cutting through the water, as it makes it's way over to Tea Gardens). It does this on a daily basis, and carries thousands of passengers each year between Nelson Bay to Tea Gardens. I have done this journey many a time and rubbed shoulders with both visitors and locals, as we all take in the beautiful calm vista of the bay up to Tea Gardens and then on to the Myall River. There is lots to take in what with all the surrounding bird and marine life that the journey offer's and that includes the odd dolphin or two.

Now for the bit that I used to hate at school, HISTORY! 

In 1904 the first passenger ferry between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens was started by the Boyce and Thurlo families. It proved such a success that the runs were expanded to Salt Ash and Soldiers Point. They operated three launches; "Reliance", "Kingfisher" and "Replica". These petrol driven vessels carried supplies and passengers on a daily basis. In 1927 the business was taken over by the Engal family, who installed the first diesel engines to operate on Port Stephens. With the outbreak of World War II the vessels were commandeered and the Engal family was forced to close. In 1987 the ferry service was re-established with an aluminium vessel named "Waterbus" operating four days a week between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens. In the early 1990's Harry Littler and family purchased Bluebird and Melissa, now gracing our waterways as MV Jesse and MV Tea Gardens. (taken from their website)

If you wish to see their time table and a bit more about them, then click here.

Save $10 off return trip Mon to Fri if you have a local card. More info here