Parramatta ferry wharf

Parramatta

Wharf in July 2013
Location Charles Street, Parramatta
Coordinates 33°48′50.09″S 151°0′38.09″E / 33.8139139°S 151.0105806°ECoordinates: 33°48′50.09″S 151°0′38.09″E / 33.8139139°S 151.0105806°E
Owned by Sydney Ferries
Operated by Harbour City Ferries
Platforms 1
Connections Bus
Construction
Disabled access Yes
Other information
Status Unstaffed
Fare zone MyZone 3
History
Opened 9 December 1993
Services
Preceding station   Sydney Ferries   Following station
towards Circular Quay
F3: Parramatta RiverTerminus

Parramatta ferry wharf is located at the end of the Parramatta River serving the Sydney satellite city of Parramatta.

History

There has been a wharf at Parramatta since shortly after a settlement was established. The wharf is located next to the Queens' Wharf Reserve and the Gasworks Bridge, which was close to the site of the first official landing place at Parramatta, when Governor Phillip and a small number of marines arrived in 1788 to establish a second settlement. The first steam ferry to operate between Sydney and Parramatta was named Surprise, beginning service on 2 June 1831.[1] The original wharf was built by convicts from gum tree logs, and reconstructed in sandstone in 1835. Paddle steamers would come up the river with their goods and their passengers from Sydney Cove.[2]

From October 1883, a steam tramway connected the wharf at Redbank, near where Duck River meets the Parramatta River, with the town, extending along George Street to Park Gates. The tramway closed on 31 March 1943. The trams conveyed both passengers and goods, serving a number of industries from sidings off the main line.[1]

Due to silting and pollution of the river, Sydney Ferries Limited services west of Meadowbank ceased in 1928.[3] In December 1993, the State Transit Authority resumed services to Parramatta.[4][5][6][7]

Today Parramatta wharf is served by Sydney Ferries Parramatta River services operating to and from Circular Quay.[8] The single wharf is served by RiverCat class ferries. During periods of low tide, services terminate at Rydalmere with passengers completing the final part of the journey by bus.[9]

Wharves & services

Platform Line Stopping pattern Notes
1 to Circular Quay [8]

Transport links

Parramatta wharf is served by the Parramatta Loop bus service.[10]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Matthews, H.H. (December 1958), The Parramatta Wharf Tramway, Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, pp. 181–199
  2. Explore Parramatta:Harris Park Heritage Walk Parramatta City Council
  3. Parramatta ferry service celebrates 20 years Parramatta City Council 9 December 2013
  4. Parramatta RiverCat Ferry Services New South Wales Legislative Assembly Hansard 25 February 1992
  5. Steel, Reg, A ferry to Parramatta : return of the Parramatta ferries. State Transit Authority: Sydney, 1993.
  6. By ferry to Parramatta Afloat Magazine May 2007
  7. Rivercat Wharf Parramatta Parramatta Heritage Centre 7 October 2014
  8. 8.0 8.1 Parramatta River timetable Sydney Ferries 20 October 2013
  9. Parramatta ferry low tide replacement buses Transport Info
  10. Free Parramatta Shuttle Transport for NSW

External links

Media related to Parramatta ferry wharf at Wikimedia Commons