Bulimba ferry wharf facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bulimba
Location	Oxford Street, Bulimba
Coordinates	27°27′01″S 153°03′08″E / 27.4503°S 153.0522°E / -27.4503; 153.0522
Owned by	Brisbane City Council
Operated by	RiverCity Ferries
Platforms	1
Construction
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Fare zone	go card 1
History
Opened	1922
Rebuilt	2014
Services
Preceding wharf Brisbane Ferries Following wharf Hawthorne towards University of Queensland CityCat Teneriffe towards Northshore Hamilton Terminus Cross River Ferries–Bulimba Teneriffe Terminus

The Bulimba ferry wharf is a special old ferry stop in Bulimba, a suburb of Brisbane, Australia. It is located on the southern side of the Brisbane River. This wharf is a heritage-listed site, meaning it's an important part of history. It was designed by the famous architects GHM Addison and Son and built in 1922. Today, it's used by RiverCity Ferries' CityCat service and the Cross River service to Teneriffe.

What Does the Ferry Wharf Look Like?

The Bulimba ferry wharf is a beautiful and unique building. It's made mostly of timber (wood) and has a roof covered with terracotta tiles. The roof has a pointed shape, called a gable.

Special Features of the Wharf

• Clock Tower: In the middle of the roof, there's a short, eight-sided tower. It has four clock faces, so people waiting for the ferry could always tell the time!
• Cupola: On top of the clock tower, there's a small, dome-shaped roof called a cupola, made of metal.
• Verandah: The building has a covered porch area, or verandah, on one side. This gives passengers a place to wait out of the sun or rain.
• Timber Details: You'll see decorative timberwork and brackets (supports) on the building.

A Brief History of the Bulimba Ferry Wharf

The Bulimba ferry wharf was built in 1922. It was made for the Balmoral Shire Council, which was in charge of ferry services across the Brisbane River back then.

Why Ferries Were So Important

For a long time, ferries were super important for getting around Brisbane.

• River City: The Brisbane River winds and loops through the city. Ferries helped people cross the river easily.
• No Bridges: For many years, there weren't many bridges across the river. The first big bridge, Victoria Bridge, was built in 1862. But other bridges came much later.
• Daily Travel: Before cars were common, people relied on ferries every day. They used them to get to work, go shopping, and visit friends.

Early Ferry Services at Bulimba

• First Ferries: In 1850, Samuel and Matthew Buckley started a rowing boat ferry service at Bulimba.
• Vehicular Ferry: By 1864, John Watson ran a ferry that could carry vehicles.
• Steam Power: Later, a steam paddleboat called "Advance" served the route. After a big flood in 1893, a punt (a flat-bottomed boat) pulled by a cable was used.

Building the New Wharf

In 1888, Bulimba became part of the area looked after by the Balmoral Divisional Board. This group later became the Balmoral Shire Council in 1901. They were in charge of several ferry stops, including Bulimba.

In 1921, the Balmoral Council decided to build a much better waiting area at Bulimba. They wanted a "substantial ferry house" to protect passengers. They hired the famous architectural firm GHM Addison & Son to design it in 1922. The building was finished that same year.

The Architects Behind the Design

The design for the Bulimba ferry wharf was likely done by George Frederick Addison. He was the son of George Henry Male Addison. The fact that a well-known architectural firm designed this building shows how important the ferry service was to the community.

Sister Wharf at Hawthorne

In 1924, the Balmoral Council decided to build another ferry house. This one was at the Hawthorne ferry wharf, and it looked very similar to the Bulimba design. You can even see both terminals from the river at the same time!

Life at the Wharf

• Busy Route: A steam ferry named "Hetherington" served the Bulimba route for many years. It carried millions of passengers and vehicles between 1928 and 1952.
• Community Hub: The ferry connected Bulimba to Teneriffe, which had many businesses. So, lots of people used the ferry for work.
• Unexpected Use: In 1929, the ferry house was even used by local kids as a place to change clothes before swimming in the river!

Changes Over Time

In 1925, all the local councils in Brisbane joined together to form the Brisbane City Council. This new council became responsible for ferry wharves.

• Repairs: In 1985, the Bulimba ferry house had major repairs and renovations. The clocks in the tower were replaced.
• Floods: The wharf had some minor damage during the big Brisbane floods in January 2011. It reopened after repairs a month later.
• Upgrade: From August to December 2014, the terminal was closed for a big upgrade. They added a new pontoon (floating platform) that could hold more ferries. This made the services work better.

Why is the Bulimba Ferry Wharf Important?

The Bulimba ferry wharf is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it's a special part of Queensland's history.

A Glimpse into the Past

• Early Transport: It shows how important ferries were for Brisbane's growth before bridges and modern transport were common.
• Council History: It also tells us about how local councils like the Balmoral Shire Council worked before all the Brisbane councils joined together in 1925.

A Rare and Beautiful Design

• Unique Style: The Bulimba ferry wharf is one of the largest and most beautiful ferry wharves ever built in Brisbane. Most other wharves today are much more modern.
• Architectural Example: It's a great example of the "Federation Queen Anne" architectural style, even for a small building.
• Clever Design: The clock faces in the tower were very practical. They helped people catch their ferries on time!

A Local Landmark

The Bulimba ferry wharf is a well-known landmark in the area. It has been used by local residents every day for a very long time. It adds a lot of character and charm to the Bulimba area.

Images for kids

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  View from the pontoon, 2008

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  Side view, 2008

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  Approach from the land side, 2009