By Dorothy Davis, Katharine Vernon and Helena Klijn, May 2026, updated monthly

Upcoming Walk 

Tour the Sydney Heritage Fleet Shipyard on Rozelle Bay with Alex Byrne

Sunday 21 June, 10 am – 12 noon

Discover the extensive restoration of harbour vessels including the 1912 Sydney Ferry Kanangra.  The last of Sydney’s “K” class ferries, Kanangra, was built in Mort Bay in 1912 and is currently under restoration at the Sydney Heritage Fleet shipyard on Rozelle Bay. Its superstructure is timber drawn from the extensive lumber yards which used to surround Rozelle and Blackwattle Bays.

One of 70 “K” class ferries, Kanangra carried nearly 1000 passengers mostly on the City to Mosman and Cremorne route from 1912 to 1987 but also provided services for the 3000 workers on Cockatoo Island and peak hour services to Hunters Hill and Woolwich. She was converted from being coal-fired to diesel- engined in 1959, the last to be converted. She is the great survivor having seen two world wars, the Great Depression, the building of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House and survived a couple of collisions.

Meeting at the SHF shipyard, this tour takes visitors through the Fleet’s extensive maintenance and restoration facilities, looks at the Fleet’s other vessels and then goes on board Kanangra to hear her history and view the restoration which is currently underway. It will be led by Glebe Society member and Heritage Shipyard volunteer, Alex Byrne, and other volunteers who work on Kanangra and can explain its history, technology and the restoration.

Note: Cost covers contribution to Sydney Heritage Fleet, which charges for its tours to ‘Keep the Fleet Afloat’

Three options for getting there:  1. Light Rail L1 to Rozelle Bay stop then walk down to the Crescent, cross and walk around the end of the Bay into James Craig Road (about 15 min). 2. Bus 433 to stop just after Johnson St, cross the Crescent and walk around the end of the Bay into James Craig Road (about 10 min).  3. Car over Anzac Bridge up to end of Victoria Rd (but in left hand lane) then move to left and take first left turn into James Craig Road with parking in the yard on the left as you enter the first roundabout.

Requirements: Closed-toe shoes; sufficiently mobile to walk around the shipyard and Kanangra and to climb steep stairs onto Kanangra. Hi-vis safety vest and hard hat will be issued upon arrival and must be worn throughout the tour.

Meeting place: Sydney Heritage Fleet Shipyard, Gate 4/13 James Craig Road, Rozelle

Bookings: https://tour-heritage-shipyard.eventbrite.com.au

Cost: $25 (Glebe Society members), $35 (non-Glebe Society members).

Walks can also be booked through the Glebe Society’s page on Eventbrite. For members-only events, please use the direct link supplied in the Bulletin.

WhenWalkDetailsLeaderCost & bookingMeeting place
Thursday 21 May,
9.15 am–12.45 pm		Explore Waverley CemeteryJoin us in exploring one of Sydney's oldest, most beautiful and most historic locations – Waverley Cemetery. Heritage-listed and poised on the cliff-tops at Bronte, a Victorian and Edwardian gem.Max SollingBookings through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/the-glebe-society-4066434169A bus has been arranged that will leave from and return to the Old Fire Station on Mitchell Street.
Sunday 21 June, 10 am–12 noonTour the Sydney Heritage Fleet Shipyard on Rozelle BayA Glebe Society exclusive tour of the Sydney Heritage Fleet’s Rozelle Bay shipyard and the 1912 ferry KanangraAlex Byrne, Sydney Heritage Fleet volunteer$25 (Glebe Society members), $35 (non-Glebe Society members).
Bookings through Eventbriite: https://tour-heritage-shipyard.eventbrite.com.au/
Sydney Heritage Fleet Shipyard, Gate 4/13 James Craig Road, Rozelle