The 'Mail Run'

MV RELIANCE was built by Goddards of Palm Beach in 1919 and commissioned for the Hawkesbury River passenger and mail run from Brooklyn to Wisemans Ferry via Spencer. It is credited with moving the first car from Newcastle across the Hawkesbury river in 1925 and in 1930's, Reliance ferried workers building the road to Wisemans, to camps at Haycock mountain. In 1942 the mail contract was lost and it was then transported to the Nepean River for 3 years and then returned to the Hawkesbury River in 1945 where it was based at Mangrove Mountain and maintained the mail run from Brooklyn, Spencer and Mangrove Mountain until the 1960's.

The 'School Run'

Under the ownership of the Outward Bound school on Fisherman's bend, it operated regular weekend runs until the mid 1970's when ownership was transferred to the Knox Grammar school. Reliance received a major refit and serviced the camp on Fisherman's Bend till 1995.

The 'Harbour Run'

Sold to the previous Guardian, Bill Moseley, MV Reliance moved to Sydney Harbour and spent much time on the Lane Cove River up to the weir and river park until 2009.

The Pittwater Ferry

Carvel planked with Kauri, and copper sheathed below the waterline, MV Reliance now has a fully serviced and operational 4 cylinder Ford Diesel engine, new running gear, electrical bypass surgery, a fresh coat of varnish and paint and is ready to dance; looking good and running well in current commercial survey 1E for 30 persons and 2 crew.

Pittwater Ferry Cruises

We are based in Pittwater and with permission to operate in all the waters of Broken Bay, the MV Reliance is Happy to be working again.

Hope to see you soon and add to the history of this classic working river boat!

100 year celebration

Read more about the history of MV reliance and her 100 year celebration at Pittwater Online News