Kamay Ferry Wharves

Customer: Transport for NSW (TfNSW)

Contract: Construct only

Location: Botany Bay, NSW

Ports & Coastal Solutions Australia

Fast Facts

  • Provides berthing for small recreational and commercial vessels and ferries.

  • Two new wharves - 180 m long at La Perouse and 230 m long at Kurnell

  • Improves public access and connections to Kamay Botany Bay National Park

  • Construction will start in July 2023 and be complete by late-2024

The NSW Government has awarded the construction of the Kamay Ferry Wharves to McConnell Dowell. The previous ferry wharves at La Perouse and Kurnell are being replaced as part of the Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell Master Plan by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The National Park precinct upgrade will deliver improved visitor amenity and access, provide new experiences, and acknowledge the diversity of stories associated with this place.

The wharves will provide a valuable recreational resource for the community and will allow for future ferry access between both sides of the Kamay Botany Bay National Park.

A ferry service once operated between Kurnell and La Perouse from the 1890s until 1974 when severe storms damaged the wharves.

The La Perouse Wharf is a dog-leg design and will extend about 100 m from the shoreline with an additional 80 m parallel to the shoreline for berthing. The wharf at Kurnell will extend about 230 m from the shoreline.

The wharves have been designed to cater for small commercial and recreational vessels up to 20 m in length and ferries up to 40 m. They will also improve access for locals and visitors in small commercial and recreational boats and for people to swim, dive, fish, walk and enjoy the local sights. 

The Kurnell site is also significant in Australia’s history as the first landing place of Captain James Cook. The area includes areas of significance including the Meeting Place Precinct, Captain Cook’s Landing Place, and most of the Kamay Botany Bay National Park at Kurnell.

The project recognises the rich culture and ongoing importance of the area to First Nations people, with large scale artworks by local Aboriginal artists integrated in the wharf designs.

Other benefits of the project include:

  • Providing a new arrival experience by water and allowing people to connect with Aboriginal and cultural values that are associated with Kamay Botany Bay
  • Allowing for future ferry access between both sides of Kamay Botany Bay National Park
  • Improving access and facilities for recreational vessels
  • Providing safer access for recreational fishing
  • Providing wider commercial and recreational opportunities by increasing accessibility and attracting more people to La Perouse and Kurnell, which is expected to lead to the creation of jobs and wider economic benefits in the tourism and hospitality sectors
  • Improving the sense of arrival and place making improvements to both sides of the Kamay Botany Bay National Park.

The works will be predominantly self-delivered by McConnell Dowell, supported by carefully selected specialist subcontractors in delivering works. 

The animated video below shows the completed structures.