Brighton Ferry at Manly, c.1870 — The Beginning of a Harbour Destination

Long before Manly became one of Sydney’s most iconic seaside destinations, access to its shores depended entirely on the water.

In the 1870s, ferries like the Brighton carried passengers across Sydney Harbour, approaching a much simpler Manly — a quiet stretch of coastline where sandstone, bushland and scattered buildings met the sea.

This photograph captures that early moment in time, as the Brighton Ferry makes its way toward Manly Wharf, long before the crowds, traffic and development that define the area today.

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The First Vision for Manly

Manly’s transformation from isolated bushland into a thriving seaside retreat can be traced back to one man — Henry Gilbert Smith.

In 1855, Smith saw what others did not — the potential for Manly to become Sydney’s premier coastal escape. That same year, he established the first regular ferry service between Sydney and Manly, opening up the area to visitors for the very first time.

With that came the construction of Manly’s first wharf in 1855, marking the true beginning of Manly as a destination.

Smith’s vision was simple but powerful:

“Seven miles from Sydney, a thousand miles from care.”

A slogan that would define Manly for generations.

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The Rise of Ferry Travel to Manly

By the 1870s, steam ferries such as the Brighton were making regular journeys across the harbour, carrying day-trippers, holidaymakers and locals between Sydney and Manly.

These early ferries were more than just transport — they were the lifeline of the suburb.

Passengers arriving at Manly Wharf would step into a growing village that included:

• The newly established Manly Pier

• Early guesthouses and holiday cottages

• Expanding beachfront activity

• And soon after, the iconic Manly Pier Hotel, which became a social and cultural hub for visitors

The journey itself was part of the experience — a transition from the city to a slower, coastal way of life.

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The Port Jackson Steamship Company Era

As demand for travel to Manly grew, ferry services became more organised and commercialised.

This led to the rise of the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company (PJMSSCo), which would go on to dominate ferry transport to Manly for decades.

The company expanded routes, improved vessels, and played a crucial role in shaping Manly’s identity as a holiday destination.

It wasn’t just about getting there — it was about creating an experience.

Ferries became symbols of leisure, escape and connection, helping to build the Manly we know today.

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A Different Arrival to Manly

Looking at this 1870s scene, it’s hard not to notice how different the arrival experience once was.

No traffic congestion.
No crowded car parks.
No rush.

Just the steady approach of a steam ferry across calm water, delivering passengers directly into the heart of a growing seaside retreat.

In many ways, this early system of water-based transport was not only efficient — it was deeply connected to the rhythm of the place itself.

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Preserving Manly’s Early Maritime History

Photographs like this are more than historical records — they are windows into the beginnings of Manly’s identity.

They capture:

• The earliest ferry routes

• The landscape before development

• The vision that shaped a coastal community

• And the everyday moments that would otherwise be lost to time

This restored 1870s Brighton Ferry image forms part of the Lost Manly collection — a growing archive preserving the visual history of Manly and the Northern Beaches.

 

You might also like this blog: Manly Wharf Gateway to the Peninsula

 

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Bring History Back to Life

Many historic photographs like this can be carefully restored, enhanced and reprinted — preserving not just the image, but the story behind it.

If you have an old photograph — whether it's Manly, the Northern Beaches, or a family moment — I now offer custom restoration using the same process behind the Lost Manly collection.

👉 Request a free restoration assessment here:

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Explore the Collection

👉 View restored Manly ferry prints and historic posters here: