After an early retirement in October 2021, the Queenscliff has made a spectacular return to the Circular Quay to Manly run following months of careful restoration work.
After an early retirement in October 2021, the Queenscliff has made a spectacular return to the Circular Quay to Manly run following months of careful restoration work.
Returning the Queenscliff to the F1 Manly to Circular Quay route was a key part of the Minns Labor Government's commitment to return as many Freshwater Ferries to service as possible, to restore capacity on the route during the busy summer months.
The work is being delivered as part of $114 million investment into Sydney's ferry fleet in the NSW Budget. $71.1 million has been allocated to the extensive refurbishments of the Freshwater fleet.
The extensive refurbishment has involved expert navel engineers, electrical engineers, shipbuilders, painters, plumbers and more all working here in NSW.
The refurbishment included:
- more than 650sqm of new ceiling panels
- more than 7kms of new cabling
- more than 4000L of paint
- more than 750sqm of new flooring
- every interior seat was re-covered, and new seats were installed
- new bathroom facilities.
The works included an engine refit. The main engine is 32 times more powerful than an average car and sits in an engine room bigger than a basketball court.
Two new 2.5 metre-wide propellors were installed on the Queenscliff during it's time in the Garden Island drydock. The dry-dock's crane hoisted the 4.5t propellers into place with 6 expert engineers guiding it into place.
Extra services from Saturday 16 December 2023 to Sunday 28 January 2024 to accommodate summer rush:
- F1 Manly - Queenscliff will serve alongside Freshwater, providing a service every 60 minutes throughout the Summer season. The vessels' capacity of 1100 passengers will mean passengers can spend less time queuing and more time enjoying the harbour.
- F2 Taronga Zoo - there will be an additional 10 services each weekday, running to a 15-minute frequency throughout summer, getting people from the quay to the zoo.
- F3 Parramatta River - there will be an additional 14 services each weekday and 26 extra services each weekend, increasing the number of ferries between Sydney Olympic Park and Circular Quay by an additional 96 weekly services a week.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:
"Today is a hero's welcome for the Queenscliff, as it returns to our Harbour for the busier summer months, alongside the Freshwater.
"These vessels are beloved and reliable, and it is exciting we are in the final stretch in getting the Queenscliff back on the F1 Manly to Circular Quay route.
"They are not only a great option for everyday commuters and tourists looking for an iconic trip across the harbour but can also carry around 1000 passengers per trip.
"We are standing by our election commitments with passengers to be enjoying the upgraded ferry by the summer holidays.
"We know the Australian-made Freshwaters are steeped in NSW history and we are doing all we can to ensure they remain part of our iconic harbour scenery."
