Ferries in Hobart

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A historic ferry in Hobart, MV Emmalisa Hobart ferry.jpg
A historic ferry in Hobart, MV Emmalisa

Ferries in Hobart are a form of public transport in the city of Hobart, Tasmania, though they have not provided a major alternative public transport service for commuters and tourists in Hobart and other localities in and around the Derwent River in recent decades.

Contents

However, a ferry service beginning in 2021 between Bellerive and Brooke Street Pier [1] has resulted in a revival of ferry transport in Hobart, including long-term plans to expand the network. [2]

History

The MV Cartela was built in Hobart in 1912 MV Cartela, Hobart, Tasmania.jpg
The MV Cartela was built in Hobart in 1912

Since the earliest times of settlement in Hobart, river transport has been used to allow people to move around the city. Prior to the construction of the Hobart Bridge, and its replacement the Tasman Bridge, ferry services were far more important, and previously called at more locations. Following the reconstruction of a public jetty at Opossum Bay in December 2006, calls were made for a more organised and regular commuter ferry service.

Hobart has also had a long shipbuilding industry, which continues through Incat who have manufactured catamaran ferries for many cities, including Sydney's Emerald-class ferry.

Tasman Bridge disaster

Sydney ferry Kosciusko in Hobart following the 1975 collapse of the Tasman Bridge Sydney Ferry in Hobart to assist following the 1975 collapse of the Tasman Bridge.jpg
Sydney ferry Kosciusko in Hobart following the 1975 collapse of the Tasman Bridge
Ferry "Matthew Brady", 1975 Side view of the trans-Derwent ferry "Matthew Brady" coming into the Hobart wharves laden with passengers (1975) (16023630370).jpg
Ferry "Matthew Brady", 1975

Following the Tasman Bridge disaster in 1975, services across the Derwent River were operated by Sullivans Cove Ferry Services (Owner Bob Clifford - Vessels Mathew Brady and James McCabe) and the Roche Brothers Pty. Ltd (Cartela) while the Public Transport Commission loaned the State Government the Sydney ferries Kosciusko and Lady Wakehurst (Kosciusko was soon sold to Hobart). [3] [4]

Later ferries Included:

Sullivans Cove Ferry Services - Martin Cash

Wakatere (hovercraft)

Current services

Commencing 9 August 2021, the first year of the Derwent River ferry trial provided 15 crossings of the River Derwent each weekday (excluding public holidays) operated by Derwent Ferries between the City and Bellerive. [5] The service had capacity for 535 city bound and 321 Bellerive bound passengers per day. One ferry can hold 107 passengers as well as 15 bicycle spots.

Travel was free for Greencard holders and those travelling with a bicycle or e-scooter until the 8 August 2022 when fares were introduced for these passengers for the second year of the trial. A one-way trip takes approximately 15 minutes, with the ferry starting the weekday at Bellerive and departing 8 times there from 6:20 am as the first time and 5:30 pm as the last (40-minute intervals), before returning from the CBD at 5:50 pm to Bellerive. [6] Starting on the 29 October 2022 services were extended to Saturday and 130,000 passengers were reported to have taken the ferry by this date. [7]

There are a number of operators that run ferries upon the Derwent River out of Hobart which include Hobart Historic Cruises (Spirit of Hobart), MONA (Mona Roma 1 or MR1 and Freya or MR2), Navigators (Peppermint Bay II and Peppermint Bay 1 or MR0) and Pennicott Wilderness Journeys. The majority of these services are for tourism related purposes.

Ena (MR-1) ferry by Incat at Brooke Street Pier. Since 2021, commuter ferries operate on the other side, including former MR-0 MV Excella. Ena, Hobart, 2019 (01).jpg
Ena (MR-1) ferry by Incat at Brooke Street Pier. Since 2021, commuter ferries operate on the other side, including former MR-0 MV Excella.

Short services include Derwent Harbour cruise, Moorilla Estate, Iron Pot, Bruny Island and Storm Bay

Longer ferry services take passengers to visit the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and stop at Woodbridge and Kettering.

Jet Boat services operate out of Hobart, New Norfolk and Huonville.

Future services

In May 2018, it was announced that the State Government would introduce legislation to allow Metro Tasmania to introduce a service from Bellerive to Sullivans Cove. [8] [ needs update ]

In 2022 three new locations were planned in Sandy Bay, Lindisfarne and Wilkinsons Point after the Australian Federal government provided $20 million for the new terminals. [9] The masterplan released in November 2023 planned for six new locations in Regatta Point, Sandy Bay, Wilkinsons Point, Howrah Point, Lindisfarne and Kingston Beach. [2]

Other ferry services in Southern Tasmania

Ferry Services operate out of

Related Research Articles

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Councils of Tasmania are the 29 administrative districts of the Australian state of Tasmania. Local government areas (LGAs), more generally known as councils, are the tier of government responsible for the management of local duties such as road maintenance, town planning and waste management.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tasman Bridge</span> Highway bridge over the River Derwent in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

The Tasman Bridge is a bridge that carries the Tasman Highway over the River Derwent in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Including approaches, the bridge has a total length of 1,396 metres (4,580 ft) and it provides the main traffic route from the Hobart city centre to the eastern shore. The bridge has a separated pedestrian footway on each side. There is no dedicated lane for bicycles; however, steps to the pedestrian footway were replaced with ramps in 2010.

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Clarence City Council is a local government body in Tasmania, and one of the five municipalities that constitutes the Greater Hobart Area. The Clarence local government area has a population of 61,531, covering the eastern shore of the Derwent River from Otago to the South Arm Peninsula and the smaller localities of Cambridge, Richmond, and Seven Mile Beach.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sullivans Cove</span> Cove in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Sullivans Cove is on the River Derwent adjacent to the Hobart City Centre in Tasmania. It was the site of initial European settlement in the area, and the location of the earlier components of the Port of Hobart.

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Howrah Beach is a 1.2 km (1 mi) stretch of recreational beach situated along the River Derwent in Howrah, a suburb of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. The south-facing beach neighbours Bellerive Beach to the west and is bookended by Howrah Point to the east. The beach has views of the Derwent estuary, the neighbouring suburb of Tranmere, Sandy Bay on the western shore, and southern views of South Arm, Tinderbox and the northern tip of Bruny Island. Howrah Beach is backed by a narrow tree-lined reserve and private properties, the Clarence Foreshore Trail, Clarence High School adjoining Wentworth Park, Howrah Community Centre, Howrah Men's Shed and the Sunshine Tennis Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruny Island Ferry</span> Ferry route from Kettering to Bruny Island in Tasmania, Australia

The Bruny Island Ferry links Bruny Island to the Tasmanian mainland. Once operated by North Western Shipping and Towage Co. Pty Ltd and owned by the Tasmanian Government, the ferry Mirambeena travels between Kettering on the Tasmanian mainland and Roberts Point on Bruny Island, the service is now run by Sealink. The service is subsidised by the Tasmanian Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kettering, Tasmania</span> Town in Tasmania, Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brooke Street Pier</span> Pontoon building in Hobart, Tasmania

The Brooke Street Pier is a floating pontoon building at Sullivans Cove in the waterfront area of the city of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. It was constructed in 2014–15 at a cost of A$13 million. It weighs 5,300 tonnes and was Australia's largest floating building upon completion. It is connected to the Hobart shore at Franklin Wharf, near the base of Brooke Street. Primarily a ferry terminal, the architect has described it as a "tourism transport hub".

Hobart Historic Cruises operates cruises and charter routes on the Derwent River, Tasmania. These ferry tours have operated on the Derwent Harbour since the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bellerive Beach, Tasmania</span> Suburban beach in Bellerive, Tasmania

Bellerive Beach is a popular beach destination along the River Derwent in Bellerive, Hobart, Tasmania. The south facing beach neighbours the historic Kangaroo Battery coastal defences to the west and Howrah Beach to the east. The beach has views of the Derwent estuary, Howrah, Tranmere and Sandy Bay on the western shore. Bellerive Beach has an adjoining parkland with play equipment, barbecues and bathroom facilities and is backed by the Bellerive Oval, a narrow tree-lined reserve and private properties.

References

  1. "Derwent River ferry trial – Transport Services". www.transport.tas.gov.au. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  2. 1 2 Balen, Clancy (14 November 2023). "Hobart ferry master plan reveals six proposed sites for new terminals — including Kingston, Sandy Bay and Lindisfarne". ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  3. New terminals for ferries on three weeks Canberra Times 11 January 1975 page 1
  4. When Hobart's bridge fell down Afloat Magazine December 2010
  5. "Timetable". Derwent Ferries. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  6. "Welcome Aboard – Year 2". Derwent Ferries. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  7. "Derwent ferry comes to Saturdays". Tasmanian Government. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  8. Metro Tasmania to run passenger ferries in Hobart under Government plan ABC News 18 May 2018
  9. "More Ferries Coming To The Derwent River". Pulse Hobart. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2023.

Ferries of Tasmania edition 2 Tim Kingston

Further reading