History | The Original Tea Gardens Ferry

Q: MV Wallamba

The MV Wallamba was launched in September 1986 and initially operated a tourist service out of Forster in conjunction with the catamaran Amaroo II. She was built for river or lake navigation and was licensed to carry 49 passengers and 2 crew. She was relocated to Nelson Bay in1989 and cruised the Myall Lakes area. Before heading to Tuggerah. 1994 saw MV Wallamba on the move again this time to Mannum South Australia operating as a day cruise on The Murray River Finally back in Port Stephens in 1998 where she has remained cruising The Myall Lakes and now operated by The Original Tea Gardens Ferry. “Wally” operates in conjunction with MV Tea Gardens and MV Jesse, servicing the local community and the area visitors as part of the historic fleet of timber ferries

A VOYAGE RICH IN MARITIME HISTORY AND NATURAL BEAUTY

History of Port Stephens & The Original Tea Gardens Ferry

The story of passenger ferries on Port Stephens dates back more than a century. In 1904, the first ferry service between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens was established by the Boyce and Thurlo families. The service proved so popular that routes were soon expanded to Salt Ash and Soldiers Point. Operating the petrol-powered launches Reliance, Kingfisher and Replica, these pioneering families carried both passengers and supplies across the bay on a daily basis.

In 1927, the Engal family took over the business and introduced the first diesel engines to operate on Port Stephens, ushering in a new era of maritime transport for the region. However, with the outbreak of World War II, the vessels were commandeered for the war effort and the ferry service was forced to cease operations.
Following the war, the Korsman brothers revived the service under a mail contract, once again connecting the communities of Port Stephens. Unfortunately, when the mail contract ended in the 1950s, so too did the ferry service.

After more than three decades without a regular passenger ferry, the service was re-established in 1987 with the introduction of the aluminium vessel Waterbus, operating four days a week between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens.

In the early 1990s, Harry Littler and his family purchased Bluebird and Melissa, now proudly known as MV Jesse and MV Tea Gardens. These beautiful timber vessels quickly became icons of the bay, carrying generations of locals and visitors across the waters of Port Stephens. Around 2015, MV Wallamba joined the fleet, purpose-built to explore the tranquil waterways of the Myall River.

Today, The Original Tea Gardens Ferry continues this proud maritime tradition, operating a fleet of heritage vessels that carry thousands of passengers each year between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens. More than just a mode of transport, a ferry journey offers the opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty of Port Stephens Marine Park and the Myall Coast, with panoramic views, abundant birdlife, resident dolphins, turtles, and the ever-changing moods of the bay.

In 2024, after more than 30 years of dedicated service to the community and visitors alike, The Original Tea Gardens Ferry was honoured with the Port Stephens Business of the Year award — a testament to the passion, commitment, and hospitality that have become hallmarks of the operation.

As the story continues, another chapter is being written with the homecoming of Tamboi Queen. Built in 1970 and affectionately remembered by many as one of Port Stephens’ beloved timber ferries, Tamboi Queen has returned to the bay where she belongs. Her arrival strengthens the fleet’s position as custodians of the “Grand Old Ladies of Port Stephens” — preserving an important part of the region’s maritime heritage for future generations to enjoy.

More than 120 years after the first ferry crossed the bay, The Original Tea Gardens Ferry remains committed to sharing the stories, history, and natural beauty of this remarkable corner of Australia. For many, it is simply a ferry ride. For others, it is a journey through time.

VESSEL HISTORY

MV Tea Gardens

Built in 1944 during WWII for the RAAF Marines division, MV Tea Gardens has a long and colourful history. Her original commission was for the transport of munitions to Catalina flying boats. She was built at the Slazenger shipyard in Putney on the Parramatta River, overseen by legendary shipwright Bill Fisher. When the war ended in 1945, she was converted into a ferry by Atlas Engineering. In 1948 she was sold to the Hawkesbury River Tourist Service, where she ran for many years. The Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company then purchased her for use on their Pittwater service. In 1970 she was sold to Palm Beach and Bobbin Head Ferries, before returning to the Manly Steamship Company in mid-1974. In 1980 she was again sold and renamed “Melissa”, running the Palm Beach Ferry Service between the Basin, Currawong and Great Mackeral Beach area. She was then re-homed in Port Stephens in the late 1990’s, and continues to run between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens

MV Wallamba

The MV Wallamba was launched in September 1986 and initially operated a tourist service out of Forster in conjunction with the catamaran Amaroo II. She was built for river or lake navigation and was licensed to carry 49 passengers and 2 crew.

She was relocated to Nelson Bay in1989 and cruised the Myall Lakes area. Before heading to Tuggerah. 1994 saw MV Wallamba on the move again this time to Mannum South Australia operating as a day cruise on The Murray River

Finally back in Port Stephens in 1998 where she has remained cruising The Myall Lakes and now operated by The Original Tea Gardens Ferry. “Wally” operates in conjunction with MV Tea Gardens and MV Jesse, servicing the local community and the area visitors as part of the historic fleet of timber ferries

MV Jesse

Launched in 1955, MV Jesse started out life on Lakes Entrance in Victoria. She was designed and built for the Peel Family by David Carstairs in Orme Street. Back then she was known as “Bluebird”, and along with her sister vessels “Bellbird” and “Blackbird”, did river cruises and a milk and postal run to North Arm Cove. The waterways of Lakes Entrance are very similar to Port Stephens, and likewise has always been a population destination for tourists. It was not unusual to see “Bluebird” cruising the waters with people enjoying a picnic on board. Week days the bench seats would be lined with produce and gallons of milk, delivering supplies and postage parcels to townships along the shore. MV Jesse is constructed of Tasmanian Huon Pine and is one of only two well deckers still operating in a traditional ferry role in New South Wales.