This week we are looking at crossing Newcastle harbour this was
a challenge for travellers and those commuting to and from work.
It was also a great opportunity for ferries and punts, a great
variety of ferries have come and gone from Newcastle over the years with some
used chiefly as industrial transport while others would be used to transport
people.
Punts also played an important role and up till the time the Stockton Bridge was built they really had their work cut out for them.
Among the famous and long serving punts was the Mildred which
was the first vessel launched at Newcastle’s Walsh Island Dockyard in 1914 and
was named after the dockyard superintendent. The Mildred also spent some time working
as a Hawkesbury River punt during World War 11, she was retired in 1945 and
sold to a private party. This punt could carry 15 vehicles and 70 passengers.
Another punt was the Kookaburra also built a Walsh Island and
was the last car ferry built in NSW.
Now days the Stockton Ferry still runs it is a direct ferry
departing from Queens Wharf and arriving at Stockton Wharf. Services depart
every 15 minutes and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 5
min, I think it costs around $8.
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