A heritage-listed ferry wharf hits the market for $9

As of Wednesday evening, the price had climbed to a modest $109, following three bids. 

The first wharf on the Valentia Street site was constructed in 1856 as a part of a ferry service established by Hunters Hill residents to allow for the transport of carts and drays across the river to markets at regular times.

Over the years, the wharf evolved into the steel hull pontoon it is today.

Speaking to Smart Property Investment, Shaun Clifford, business development manager for boats and marine at Grays Online, agreed that the Woolwich Ferry Wharf Pontoon auction is one of a kind. 

“It’s a very unique sale, definitely not something you see for sale every day,” Mr Clifford said. 

As for the $9 starting price, that too is quite unique. 

“It’s very hard to put a price or value on such a unique item, so to offer the Woolwich Ferry Wharf Pontoon for auction completely unreserved and with a starting price of $9 is definitely driving a lot of excitement,” Mr Clifford added. 

The sale includes the entire structure – a steel hull with one longitudinal and three transverse bulkheads, and a concrete deck slab – as well as the original drawings by Sydney Ferries dated 1989, and a Statement of Heritage Impact from the NSW government.

The pontoon was operational from 1994 to 2020 and has been removed from the original property for the sale.

The online auction will run 8 December from 1:00pm AEDT to 14 December, 7:00pm AEDT on Australia’s largest online commercial marketplace, Grays.

The seller, Polaris Marine Constructions, is offering competitive rates for the transportation, relocation and installation of the wharf.