The Mortlake Ferry, also known as the “Putney Punt”, is the only remaining car ferry operating in the metropolitan area—a living, floating piece of history. It has been faithfully shuttling cars, bikes, and their passengers across the Parramatta River since 1928, originally built to transport workers to the Australian Gas Light Company (AGL) works in Mortlake, a job it still does today, albeit with a lot more leisure and a lot less coal dust!
Unlike many other ferries that have vanished from the map, replaced by modern bridges, the Mortlake Ferry remains a beloved piece of Sydney’s heritage, protected by a heritage order from the National Trust of Australia.
Crossing the Parramatta River on the Putney Punt is more than just a way to get from point A to point B; it’s a mini adventure. Whether you just want to get home a bit quicker, or you’re keen to show the kids an exciting bit of local history, hop aboard the Mortlake Ferry and experience a delightful journey that’s been a part of the river for nearly a century. And the best part – it’s free!
A Snapshot of History at the Museum
For history buffs and curious minds, the City of Canada Bay Museum has a cool little model of the Mortlake Ferry that’s worth checking out. This detailed miniature, complete with vintage 1970s Matchbox cars, shows exactly how the ferry works, with those two trusty cables pulling it across the river.
The model was originally displayed right at the wharf and was a big hit with both locals and visitors. It almost got lost in the shuffle back in the late ’80s when the ferry was on the chopping block, but thankfully, the local Men’s Shed stepped in, gave it some TLC, and now it’s got a prime spot in the museum. It’s a great way to see the ferry’s story come to life—perfect for a bit of hands-on history.
