Manly ferry wharf facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Manly
The Esplanade entrance in February 2012
Location	The Esplanade, Manly New South Wales Australia
Coordinates	33°48′01″S 151°17′02″E / 33.8004°S 151.2839°E / -33.8004; 151.2839
Owned by	Transport for NSW
Operated by	Transdev Sydney Ferries
Distance	9.5 kilometres (5.9 mi) from Circular Quay
Platforms	1 wharf (2 berths)
Connections	Manly Wharf
Construction
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Status	Staffed
History
Opened	1939–1941
Services
Preceding wharf Ferries in NSW Following wharf Circular Quay Terminus F1 Manly Terminus
yes
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name	Manly Wharf
Type	State heritage (built)
Designated	18 April 2000
Reference no.	1434
Type	Wharf
Category	Transport - Water
Builders	Maritime Services Board

Manly Wharf is a special heritage-listed place. It's a busy ferry terminal and a fun area in Manly, a suburb of Sydney, Australia.

Since the 1850s, this wharf has been the main spot for people to catch ferries. These ferries travel between Manly and Circular Quay in Sydney.

The wharf has been changed and improved many times. The first version was built in 1856. It was rebuilt in a modern style in the early 1940s. The basic look of the wharf today is from that time. Manly Wharf was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 18, 2000. This means it's an important historical site.

Besides passenger ferries, the wharf also handled cargo. This cargo service stopped in 1928. That's when the first Spit Bridge opened. After the cargo service closed, an amusement park called Manly Fun Pier opened in 1931. This fun park was on the east side of the wharf. It closed in 1989 before the wharf was redeveloped again.

Ferry Services at Manly Wharf

Manly Wharf is a hub for many ferry services. These ferries connect Manly to different parts of Sydney Harbour.

Main Wharf Services

The main part of Manly Wharf is used by two main ferry companies:

• Sydney Ferries
• Manly Fast Ferry

Both of these services travel to and from Circular Quay.

East Wharf Services

To the southwest of the main wharf is the Manly Hotel Wharf. This is also known as the East Wharf. It's considered part of Manly Wharf for transport.

• Captain Cook Cruises uses this wharf.
• Other My Fast Ferry services also use it.
• These services offer trips around Sydney Harbour.

Getting Around: Bus Connections

You can also catch buses near Manly Wharf. State Transit operates bus services from The Esplanade and Belgrave Street. In the 1980s, there was a bus station right outside the wharf. It was removed when the wharf was updated. The bus stops are now a bit further away.

History of Manly Wharf

Manly ferry wharf around 1890-1910. You can see the paddle-steamer ferries Fairlight (left) and Brighton.

The very first wharf was built in 1856. It was in the same spot where the wharf stands today. Some records say it was built in 1855.

The Vision of Henry Gilbert Smith

An English merchant named Henry Gilbert Smith built this first wharf. He loved Manly and imagined it as a popular seaside resort. Smith bought land in Manly in 1853. He also became involved with the steam ferries that served the area.

Henry Gilbert Smith did a lot for Manly. He built houses, a hotel, a church, and a school. He also created pleasure grounds and swimming baths. He even helped plant the first Norfolk Island pines along the oceanfront.

From Cargo to Fun Pier

Before the first Spit Bridge was built in 1928, old passenger ferries were used to carry cargo to Manly. After the cargo service stopped, the east wharf found a new purpose. An amusement park called Manly Fun Pier opened there in 1931. This fun park was a popular spot for many years. It closed in 1989. The two wharf structures were then redeveloped in 1990.

The steam ferry Dee Why coming to Manly Wharf in the early 1940s. The image shows the older Edwardian structure being replaced by the current modern one. On the left is the east wharf, which was a cargo wharf until 1928 and then an amusement park until 1989.

Modern Makeover in the 1940s

The wharf was improved many times in the early 1900s. But a big change happened in the late 1930s. The Maritime Services Board decided to build a "grand" new wharf. This decision came after people in Manly had been asking for improvements for years. A fire at the wharf in 1939 made the need for action even more urgent.

The Maritime Services Board hired a talented young architect named Arthur Baldwinson (1908–68). He had just returned from working in England. Baldwinson was chosen to design major rebuilds for the ferry wharves at Manly and Circular Quay.

The new Manly Wharf was built in a modern style. It had features like round and square shapes. It also had a curved front facing the water, like a ship. There was a wide, curved entrance and a clock tower with "fins." The roof was flat with a wide edge. The current entrance was first designed as a tram station. The work was finished in 1941.

Changes for New Ferries

Until the mid-1960s, ferries could dock on both sides of the wharf. When the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company started using hydrofoils in the 1960s, a special floating platform was added to the eastern side. This allowed the hydrofoils to dock without their foils (underwater wings) getting stuck. This platform was removed in 1991 when JetCats replaced the hydrofoils.

When the large Freshwater class ferries were introduced in the 1980s, the western side of the wharf was rebuilt. This was done to fit their special gangways.

Today, the wharf complex has many shops and restaurants. In 2014, there were plans to add a second floor to the wharf.

The wharf was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 18, 2000.

What Manly Wharf Looks Like

Manly Wharf is a wide structure. It is supported by strong timber poles. The main platform is made of concrete. The buildings on top are made of steel and timber. The front and side walls have an important architectural design. They are similar to the ferry terminals at Circular Quay.

The original part of the wharf shows a modern style of transport architecture. It has round and rectangular shapes. The front facing the water is curved, like a bay. The main entrance is a wide arc. There's also a clock tower with decorative "fins." The roof is flat with a wide edge. The entrance area was first planned as a tram station.

Inside, the structure has timber-covered frames and large open spaces. The western side has a concrete deck with railings that look like a ship's railing. Some of the original shop fittings and signs are still there. The wharf wings have been changed a lot. They now have a T-shaped clerestorey, which means a section of wall with windows above the main roof.

Updates Over Time

• A special floating platform for hydrofoils was added around c. 1968.
• New elevated platforms were built for newer ferries.
• The wharf had a big renovation in 1990.

Why Manly Wharf is Important

Manly Wharf is considered very important for several reasons:

Historical Significance

The wharf is important because of its long history. It shows how Manly grew as a tourist spot and a suburb of Sydney. Manly has always relied on the ferry link to Sydney's city center.

Design and Appearance

The wharf is also important for its visual impact. It's a very noticeable man-made feature in the area. Along with Circular Quay, Manly Wharf is one of the few large, older-style ferry wharves left in Port Jackson. It also shows Manly's history as a popular place for recreation.

Social Connection

Manly Wharf has a strong social importance. It serves as the main ferry link to Sydney for both daily commuters and visitors. It connects people to the city for work, school, and fun.

Manly Wharf was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 18, 2000, because it meets these important criteria.