Ferry tales
For over 80 years, ferries crossed the waters between La Perouse and Kurnell – connecting the communities on either side of Kamay Botany Bay. It was part of daily life for many, run by local families, and is still remembered fondly by those who grew up with it. The service began in the 1890s and ran until 1974, when a storm damaged the wharves beyond repair.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people please be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.
Transport for NSW (Transport) received some of this information from members of the public by way of voluntary submission. The information provided is a collection of individual experiences and is not a comprehensive history of the wharves or account for everyone’s recollection. Transport may have shortened stories to comply with publishing requirements.
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Transport has been granted permission by those who supplied the information to share their stories, pictures and videos. If you have any content concerns, please contact us at kamayferrywharves@transport.nsw.gov.au
Transport thanks the community for sharing their memories and photos of the former wharves.
Community memories
I was brought home to Kurnell on the ferry when I was 10 days old. There was no road out – just a sandy track. Everything came and went on the ferry. Even if you died, you went across to the cemetery on it. — Mary Hall (née Bell)
In the early 1900s, Charles “Cam” Fisher and his sons took over the ferry service from La Perouse. Families, workers, and day trippers relied on the ferries – and on the people who ran them.
The Fishers owned the ferry. We became great friends with the drivers Gussie and Tony Cook. They looked after us. If the weather was rough, they let us shelter in the cabin. If the ferry didn’t run, school was off – and there were a lot of happy children in Kurnell! — Mary Hall (née Bell)
In 1912, Cam Fisher launched the Kurnell, a 70-foot ferry that could travel a maximum speed of 12 knots and carry up to 150 passengers – the largest of its kind in Sydney at the time. It marked the beginning of more regular, reliable crossings.
The Fishers ran the ferry along with Uncle Gus Sherrett of La Perouse. He was a good seaman and a respectable ferry driver. — Shared by a community member
Uncle Gussy was a strong and proud Aboriginal man from La Perouse and one of the first Aboriginal men to hold a commercial coxswain licence. He worked night and day in several jobs for his family. He drove the ferries around the sea of his ancestors for many years. The ferries weren’t just for tourists, he took locals to hospital for appointments, children to school, people to work and for shopping. — Aunty Marion Russell