Heritage ferry tours on Brisbane Water

Historian Mr Peter Rea has been asked by Gosford Council to undertake special Brisbane Water History and Heritage Ferry Tours as part of the 2016 NSW Heritage Festival celebration.

The tours will be the same format as Mr Rea's History and Heritage Hawkesbury River Tours, which Gosford Council is also promoting for the 2016 NSW Heritage Festival.

"I spent six years researching the history of various historical sites on the Hawkesbury and Broken Bay," Mr Rea said.

"These sites are at best very difficult to access. One is impossible," he said.

He extensively photographed the sites and prepared onsite drawings.

This work was combined with historic photographs, more of his own illustrations, animations and videos to produce nine audio-visual presentations.

"I realised that the best way to see these sites was from the water and so I began thinking of ways to display my AV presentations on a ferry while alongside the actual sites."

After re-editing his entire work, Mr Rea approached Central Coast Ferries and also gained the support of Gosford Council and the Brisbane Water Historical Society.

A large monitor was installed in the ferry Sorento and a series of successful tours began in December 2015.

Council has now encouraged the development of similar tours on the Brisbane Water.

"I've been burning a late night light getting the Brisbane Water Tour ready for this year's Heritage Festival and I think people will be happy with the result.

"I have not had the lead-up time on these tours to rely totally on my own work."

He said he had received help from Ms Gwen Dundon.

The Brisbane Water History and Heritage Ferry Tour will travel from Half Tide Rocks up to Gosford and across to Empire Bay.

This will present a unique history from the day in 1788 when Governor Arthur Phillip first came into Broken Bay "with long boat and cutter" and made his way to what we call today Brisbane Water.

The Brisbane Water History and Heritage Ferry Tours will leave Woy Woy Wharf at 9:35am on Sunday, April 24, and Thursday, May 5.

The Hawkesbury River-Broken Bay History and Heritage Ferry Tours will do a pick-up at Patonga, departing at 9am and also depart Brooklyn at 9:35am on Friday, April 15, and Sunday, May 1.

Bookings or further information are available through Central Coast Ferries and Mr Rea's website also gives more information: 4hresearch.com.

Media release, 10 Apr 2016

Peter Rea, 4H Research