Save our Steyne - Sydney's iconic Manly Ferry South Steyne

11/09/2026

Article in today's Daily Telegraph:

September 11, 2026

Sydney’s iconic SS South Steyne is being offered for sale as historic vessel enters its next chapter. Pictures: Supplied
Sydney’s iconic SS South Steyne is being offered for sale as historic vessel enters its next chapter. Pictures: Supplied
A rare piece of Sydney’s maritime history is up for grabs, with the historic SS South Steyne coming to market as a hospitality and events venue affording the potential to take on a new life in Sydney or leave the Harbour its called home for generations.

Almost a century since its arrival in Sydney, the 67m, three-deck NSW heritage-listed steamship is the last of its kind in the world.

South Steyne carried more than 92 million passengers during its time on the Circular Quay to Manly route and served as Queen Elizabeth II’s royal yacht during her visit to Australia in 1988.

As the vessel approaches its centenary in 2038, its sale represents a critical turning point, being exclusively offered as a fully fitted hospitality and events venue via Colliers agent Jackie Su and Harry Mitchell. Expressions of interest close October 15.

While the agents could not reveal the expected price, a valuation shows it is sitting around $2.5m.

Listed on the NSW State Heritage Register in 1999, South Steyne is recognised for its historical, social and technological significance to Sydney and Manly.

Built in Leith Scotland in 1938, the vessel spent 36 years operating on the Circular Quay-Manly ferry route, crossing the harbour over 100,000 times and carrying in excess of 92 million passengers on the seven-mile run.

SS South Steyne is being offered as a fully-fitted hospitality and events venue with valuation of the property shows it is sitting around $2.5m.
SS South Steyne is being offered as a fully-fitted hospitality and events venue with valuation of the property shows it is sitting around $2.5m.
It was later reinvented several times, serving as a floating convention and hospitality venue, an information and exhibition centre for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and a restaurant and function centre at Darling Harbour.

Returning to the spotlight, South Steyne was recommissioned during Queen Elizabeth II’s 1988 visit to Australia and serving as her royal yacht in Melbourne during her time in Victoria.

“South Steyne gives an operator something that is almost impossible to create from scratch, an established waterfront venue with its own identity, history and sense of arrival,” said Harry Mitchell Executive in the Colliers Hotel Transactions team.

The vessel currently comprises three decks, four function and exhibition areas and a restaurant with capacity for more than 500 guests.

Its Main Deck includes the ship’s boardroom, Saloon Lounge and restaurant, with alfresco outer-deck seating.

The Promenade Deck features the Harbourview Lounge and Manly Lounge, both opening onto outer decks and suitable for larger events, banquets and functions, the same level you will additional find a service galley.

While the Upper Bridge Deck retains the ship’s navigation deck, two wheelhouses, lifeboats and crew accommodation.

MORE: Sydney mansion’s shock descent into ruins

The 67m heritage-listed steamship carried more than 92 million passengers.
The 67m heritage-listed steamship carried more than 92 million passengers.
Its rooftop presents potential for further activation including a sundeck or rooftop waterfront bar, subject to relevant approvals.

Hospitality infrastructure on the lower deck includes a commercial kitchen, two large walk-in coolrooms, freezers, office and staff facilities, dry-goods storage and a dumb waiter servicing the upper decks.

The South Steyne retains its 3,250 IHP triple-expansion Harland & Wolff steam engine, a defining feature of the ship and connection to its heritage significance.

Subject to the necessary requirements and approvals, the historic steam engine is said to provide the potential to return South Steyne to steam-powered operation.

Designed to be adaptable to different locations, subject to suitable berthing, maritime, planning and council requirements, the vessel previously operated in Melbourne, Newcastle and Sydney.

Potential future applications include hospitality, tourism, events and entertainment, while its existing configuration could also support a new destination-led concept

As the vessel approaches 100 years afloat, the sale represents an opportunity for a new owner to take one of Sydney’s most recognisable maritime landmarks into it's a new voyage

16/05/2026

Post from Alan Williams:
Two old dames , SS Canberra and SS South Steyne. A slide taken by me in 1965. Sorry about poor quality but I don't have a scanner.

03/02/2026

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-03/working-port-bays-west-rezoning-sydney-harbour/106294212

The Sydney Heritage Fleet says it will have nowhere to work on Sydney's century-old ships if it is evicted from Rozelle Bay due to a rezoning plan.

05/07/2025

⚓️ Wednesday 6 July 1938, article published in the Sydney Morning Herald

NEW MANLY FERRY - MOST POWERFUL IN EMPIRE
"The new ferry steamer, South Steyne, which was recently launched in Scotland and which will soon start on her maiden voyage to Sydney, has been specially built for the Port Jackson and Manly S.S. Co., Ltd., by Henry Robb. Ltd., Leith, a firm which is acknowledged as one of Great Britain's leading builders of small steamers.

The new ferry, which will run between Sydney and Manly, Is 220 feet long and 38 feet wide, and will be capable of carrying about 2,000 passengers. Her 3,250 horse-power engines will be capable of driving the vessel at 17 knots. She will be the fastest and most powerful ferry In the British Empire.

The entire design of the vessel was carried out by the builders, working In olose co-operation with the owners, with the object of producing the finest type of ship for the service across Sydney Harbour, and they claim that the South Steyne represent, a distinct advance on any similar vessel.

Like other Manly ferries, the new vessel will have a propeller at ench end, but refined hull lines. Increased engine and propeller efficiency will assist in giving her her great sneed. The builders have also given considerable thought to the provision of shelter and comfort for passengers. The vessel will burn oil fuel."

HISTORY
SS South Steyne was launched on 1 April 1938, she set off on 7 July, to steam the 22,000 kilometres to Australia, where she arrived on 19 September. In 1953 the South Steyne was chartered to run Sunday cruises from Sydney to Broken Bay. It was the first Manly ferry to run day trips to the Pittwater area since the ferries Bingarra and Burra Bra were flagships of the Pittwater regatta in 1922 and 1928. The Broken Bay cruises lasted until the early 1970’s.mShe was withdrawn from service as a commuter ferry in 1974. A group of concerned Manly residents formed a Preservation Society in 1975 that was called "Save Our Steyne". Restoration work began in 1987 at Rileys Hill Dry Dock near Ballina and later in Melbourne. She became a floating restaurant, first in Melbourne and then in Newcastle. After five years, she returned to Sydney as the 2000 Olympic Information Centre at Darling Harbour. She was a floating restaurant, next to Pyrmont Bridge, until April 2016. It was then temporarily relocated to Berrys Bay while the Darling Harbour wharf was rebuilt.

16/11/2024

Post from Trevor Gray:
1982 school holidays on the Steyne with my Dad two mates and my self ,must have been around this time of year summer as the sun comes up for another glorious Newcastle day . Pic credits my mate Robert Shwartz

24/08/2024

(25th Aug) 50 years ago a fire broke out aboard the South Steyne while she was moored at Balmain Yard. This fire ended her career as the most famous Ferry on the Seven mile run to Manly with the State Govt deciding not to purchase the vessel from Brambles when they were taking over the Manly Ferry service.
Fast forward to 1 week ago. A fire aboard a barge moored adjacent to the South Steyne in Berry's Bay came within minutes of recreating the scene of half a century before! To say this is was ironic is an understatement. You could not have written this script!
South Steyne has had her fair share of challenges as she has faught to survive over her 88 years of life. She is now once again in the fight for her life. The fire last week has again showed her vulnerability as she languishes in Berrys Bay.
Transport NSW appear to genuinely want to help the solve the issues however there is still no clear solution on the table.
If we do not find a workable solution soon, we will lose NSW's only heritage listed ship, and the most iconic Ferry ever to operate on Sydney Harbour.
So what can you do to help? Please spread the word that South Steyne needs support. Increase awareness of her situation amongst people who may be able to help influence a positive outcome.

- The ship needs a suitable berth for her to be able to conduct essential maintenance and open her doors to the public once more, generating income to sustain herself.

Share this post and stay tuned for more updates as we escalate the campaign to Save our Steyne.

1974 Photo of SS on fire at Balmain courtesy of John Darroch.

19/08/2024

Channel 9 News tonight has given a good summary of where we are at with South Steyne.
It's time to make sure she finds a permanent home and is given the attention and respect she so deserves as an icon of Sydney Harbour.

18/08/2024

Evening all. A fire broke out this evening aboard an old ammenities barge moored adjacent to the South Steyne.
Thanks to the quick response from the Port Authority Fire Vessel and the standby Fire Tug, the fire has been prevented from spreading across to the South Steyne. Brian McDermott (South Steyne's owner) has asked me to pass on his thanks to everyone involved in fighting the fire and for the many messages of support throughout the night.
Stay tuned for more updates tomorrow.

17/06/2024

Good morning all from the South Steyne. Another great image captured below by William Cope.

Two elegant steamships in their last days. SS Himalaya is berthed at Sydney’s international passenger terminal. Launched in 1948, Himalaya and was on its last visit to Sydney. The ship was withdrawn from service soon after this photograph was taken and scrapped in the following year. South Steyne was Sydney’s last steam ferry, seen here arriving at Circular Quay in its final week of service in August 1974. A double-ended, double-screw steamship ferry, South Steyne was built by Henry Robb Ltd. in Scotland, launched in 1938, withdrawn from service in 1974, and is now in storage at Berry’s Bay in Sydney Harbour.

More about The Rail Way here (and I do have a Manly Ferry book in the making!): https://www.immaterialbooks.com/the-rail-way