Parramatta ferry wharf

History

The wharf was originally built in Parramatta shortly after the establishment of the settlement. The wharf is located next to the Queens' Wharf Reserve and the Gasworks Bridge, 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. The original wharf was built by convicts from gum tree logs and reconstructed in sandstone in 1835. Paddle steamers regularly traveled upriver from Sydney Cove, carrying both goods and passengers..

In October 1883, a steam tramway began service connecting the wharf at Redbank, near the confluence of Duck River, the Parramatta River and the town of Parramatta which extended 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.

As a result of silting and pollution of the river, Sydney Ferries Limited services west of Meadowbank ceased in 1928. In December 1993, the State Transit Authority resumed services to Parramatta.

Currently, Parramatta wharf is served by Sydney Ferries' Parramatta River services which operates to and from Circular Quay. The single wharf is served by RiverCat, River and Parramatta River class ferries. During periods of low tide, services terminate at Rydalmere with passengers completing the final part of the journey by bus.

In October 2019 Parramatta Wharf was rebuilt to improve protection from the elements, expand the waiting areas and accomidate more efficient ferry boarding and alighting.

In November 2023, Charles Street Square which acts as a waiting area for Parramatta Wharf was rebuilt.

Wharves and services

Transport links

Parramatta wharf is served by Transit Systems 900 Parramatta Free Shuttle loop service.

References

References

1. Matthews, H.H.. (December 1958). "The Parramatta Wharf Tramway". [[Australian Railway History.
2. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070226121205/http://www.visitsydney.org/parramatta/pdfs/ParraHH2004.pdf Explore Parramatta:Harris Park Heritage Walk] Parramatta City Council
3. [http://www.parracity.nsw.gov.au/your_council/news/media/media_releases2/2013/december_2013/parramatta_ferry_service_celebrates_20_years Parramatta ferry service celebrates 20 years] {{webarchive. link. (24 September 2015 Parramatta City Council 9 December 2013)
4. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080915115757/http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA19920225026 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. [http://www.afloat.com.au/afloat-magazine/archive/2007_May2007_ByFerrytoParamattabyGregoryBlaxell.htm#.VTC7zRzIz40 By ferry to Parramatta] {{Webarchive. link. (5 January 2019 ''Afloat Magazine'' May 2007)
7. [http://arc.parracity.nsw.gov.au/blog/2014/10/07/rivercat-wharf-parramatta/ Rivercat Wharf Parramatta] Parramatta Heritage Centre 7 October 2014
8. {{Cite New South Wales transport timetables. F3
9. [https://transportnsw.info/travel-info/ways-to-get-around/ferry/ferries-at-low-tide-replacement-buses Parramatta ferry low tide replacement buses] Transport Info
10. NSW, Transport for. (2023-01-30). "Parramatta Wharf".
11. "Parramatta River Transformation {{!}} City of Parramatta".
12. {{Cite New South Wales transport timetables. b900
13. "Free shuttle bus {{!}} City of Parramatta".