Where is the South Steyne now? Her current plight
For 36 years the SS South Steyne carried Sydneysiders across the Heads on the Manly run. Built in Leith, Scotland, in 1938, she crossed the harbour more than 100,000 times and carried over 92 million passengers on the seven-mile trip. She is the world's largest operational steam ferry, and New South Wales's only heritage-listed ship.
Yet today, almost nobody can step aboard her.
Pushed out of Darling Harbour
From 2000 she was open to the public at Darling Harbour, a much-loved floating restaurant and venue. In April 2016 she was moved out to make way for redevelopment, and she has been tied up at Berrys Bay on the lower north shore ever since. The move was meant to be temporary. A decade later, she is still waiting.
Stuck in limbo
Her owner of around 30 years, Brian McDermott, told the ABC in 2024 that he had reached out to every heritage and transport minister for eight years without finding her a permanent berth.
"We're stuck in limbo. We've been looking for a long time." – Brian McDermott, 2024
Transport for NSW has acknowledged there are limited places on Sydney Harbour for a vessel like her to berth. Meanwhile the costs of maintenance and wharf space keep adding up.
Now she's for sale
In September 2026 the South Steyne was listed for sale through Colliers, with price hopes of around $2.5 million. Expressions of interest close on Thursday 15 October, and prospective buyers are being taken out to inspect her by water taxi from Darling Harbour.
- Where she is: Berrys Bay, near McMahons Point, since 2016
- Heritage: listed on the NSW State Heritage Register
- Price guide: around $2.5 million
- Expressions of interest close: Thursday 15 October 2026
Why this matters now
A sale could be the turning point. In the right hands, with a proper berth, she could welcome the public again. But a heritage ship with nowhere to go is always at risk. Whoever buys her will still need somewhere on Sydney Harbour to call home, and that's a decision for government as much as for any buyer.
That's where we come in. We've done this before. When the Freshwater ferries were set to be retired, the community spoke up, local government listened, and they were saved. Public support counts, and the people deciding her future are watching how much Sydney cares.
Her owner has said he would love to see her reach her centenary in 2038. So would we. And there is one place she truly belongs: back at Darling Harbour, open to everyone, the Queen of Sydney Harbour.
How you can help
Share her story. Share this article and tag someone who remembers her.
Speak up. Write to your local MP and the NSW Heritage and Transport ministers. Ask for a permanent, public berth for the South Steyne.
Keep her in view. The South Steyne 2027 Calendar tells her whole story, month by month, from Leith in 1938 to Darling Harbour in 2015. Hang it up and keep her in front of everyone all year.
Get your South Steyne 2027 Calendar here →
Sources: Sydney Morning Herald, ABC News, Commercial Real Estate, The Business Conversation, Newcastle Herald.
2 comments
I remember the furor of the replacement of the south stain class with the freshwater class. Manly was outraged and it was the talk of the town for years.. The best outcome for the south steyne is really to be berthed at Manly. As a floating resturaunt it would be a special tourist attraction as it once was. Come on Felons (current owners of manly wharf) and Northern Beaches Council look to the future and make it happen at the old Aquarium site.. would be quite special for Manly after all its Manly’s History as well…
I have Admired The South Steyne for many. Many, years it is a unique one of a king treasure. That MUST be preserved for this and future Generations. I have many fond memories of travelling on it numerous times.
Save our Stayne. Let it be available again for Public View And hopefully in Steaming Order.