Sydney Heritage Fleet

Founded in 1965 as the “The Lady Hopetoun and Port Jackson Marine Steam Museum”, the Sydney Heritage Fleet operates 10 large and 55 small heritage vessels. Its 450 active volunteer workers conserve Australia’s maritime past, while preserving traditional technical methods and skills.

Three (as of August 2024) vessels are currently being restored, the 1912 ferry Kanangra, the 1950s wooden speed boat Kookaburra II and the 1927 pilot vessel John Oxley. Possibly the most well known vessel is the 1874 iron barque James Craig, now fully restored and regularly put to sea under full sail and is a beautiful site when sailing Sydney Harbour.

We booked a tour of the Kanangra restoration project, which gave us an opportunity to also see some of the other ships in the fleet. See their website for times and tickets.

Getting There

We took the light rail from Central Station to Rozelle and walked (10 minutes) to Sydney Heritage Fleet from there.

The Tour

A safety briefing started the tour, as we would be entering an active work area. Safety hats and high-visibility jackets (both provided) along with enclosed shoes (wear your own) were a requirement.

The tour started in the workshop where we saw how the parts needed for the restoration were made. Then it was on to the dock to see the boats. Although we only boarded the Kanangra, we were able to see many others very well.

On board the Kanangra we needed to stay alert, as the decking and sides of the ship were under repair. Interestingly, the largest job currently being undertaken was the removal of concrete from the hull. Large quantities had been used to stop leaks in the rusting hull plates. Apparently it’s a quick and easy fix, but difficult to remove.

We were able to see all levels of the ferry, from the engine room to the top deck and restored wheel house. Restoration should finish in 2032 when she will be back in the water. Considering how badly corroded the hull looked and the amount of steel plates requiring replacement, I can see why it will take this long.

This was a fantastic tour and highly recommended for anyone who likes old ships. The tour guides were very informative, friendly and passionate about the restoration. The tour ran two hours and we loved every minute.

Sydney Ferry Kanangra

Launched on the 14th of August 1912, Kanangra is a steel-hulled K-class ferry that operated on Sydney Harbour until 1985. Originally coal fired, she was converted to diesel in 1959.

Kanangra is currently sited on a floating dock at Rozelle Bay as part of the Sydney Heritage Fleet. Restoration work intends to restore her to the 1960s configuration with diesel power.

Steam Ship John Oxley

Built in 1927 in Scotland for the Queensland Harbours and Rivers Board, the John Oxley was a relief pilot vessel in Moreton Bay, a buoy tender and a lighthouse tender that operated along the Queensland coast.

In the Second World War John Oxley was requisitioned for the Royal Australian Navy and a 20mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun was mounted on the stern. She was returned to her former duties in 1946, and converted from coal to oil fuel that same year.

John Oxley continued in service until 1968 and was officially donated to Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1970. Since 2002 the John Oxley has been under continuous restoration at the Heritage dockyard of the Sydney Heritage Fleet, Rozelle Bay, Sydney. As of August 2024 she is nearing completion and almost ready for her first post-restoration cruise.

Bronzewing-class Tugs

Four Bronzewing-class harbour tugs were constructed for the Royal Australian Navy. The ships in the class were:

Bronzewing (HTS 501)
Currawong (HTS 502)
HTS 503 (to Papua New Guinea in 1974)
Mollymawk (HTS 504)

They were constructed by Stannard Bros, Sydney, except for HTS Mollymawk (504), she was constructed by Perris Engineering, Brisbane.

Bronzewing and Currawong are currently on loan to the Sydney Heritage Fleet, where they are often used in the support of the James Craig and other heritage ships in the Fleet.

Motor Launch Harman

Harman is a Royal Australian Navy motor launch built in 1944 by the firm Storey and Keers. The RAN used her on Sydney Harbour to transfer personnel between ship and shore and the various establishments on the Harbour.

On retirement from the RAN in 1957, she was transferred to Cockatoo Island Dockyard where she worked as a passenger and general duties launch. She was acquired by the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1992 and has since undergone several refits to keep her seaworthy.

Motor Launch Berrima

Launched in 1955 as A.O.R.1, Berrima is a motor launch owned by the Sydney Heritage Fleet and used around Sydney Harbour. Originally used by Stannard Bros  on behalf of Australian Oil Refineries on Botany Bay, it ferried workers from La Perouse to the refinery on the other side of Botany Bay. At times it also doubled as the Pilot Cutter.

Berrima was acquired by the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1990.

Lady Hopetoun

Built in 1902 by WM Ford on Sydney Harbour, the Lady Hopetoun was used as a VIP and Vice-Regal steam yacht by the NSW Government through the Sydney Harbour Trust and its successor the Maritime Services Board of NSW until the 1960s.

Motor Launch Protex

Built sometime around 1908, Protex was later purchased in 1934 by the Sydney ferry and tug company, Nicholson Bros. In line with their usual policy of naming their craft using words beginning with ‘Pro’ she was called Protex after a popular brand of soap. Up until 1970, she ferried goods and people from the Palmolive factory at Balmain to various city wharves.

In 1970, she was sold to Mr Terry Hodgson who used her as a ferry operating out of Woy Woy and Toukley, and later between Brooklyn and Dangar Island on the Hawkesbury River.

The Protex became part of the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1981 and is berthed at their Rozelle wharf.

Steam Tug Waratah

Built in 1902 at Cockatoo Island, Waratah is a coal fired tug and part of the Sydney Heritage Fleet. Originally named Burunda, her primary role was to tow dredges and barges between the various ports along the NSW coast.

From 1948, her age and condition restricted her to operating within the Newcastle Port and by 1968 she was considered to be beyond economical repair and was set to be scrapped. Saved by the Sydney Heritage Fleet, she is now, once again, fully operational and regularly takes passengers on trips around Sydney Harbour.