The last steamship of its kind in the world, the NSW heritage-listed icon that carried more than 92 million passengers and served as Queen Elizabeth II’s royal yacht is offered for sale
One of Sydney Harbour’s most recognisable icons is being offered for sale with the SS South Steyne coming to market as a hospitality and events venue with the potential to take on a new life in Sydney or another destinations.
The 67-metre, three-deck vessel is being exclusively offered by Colliers with Jackie Su and Harry Mitchell managing the campaign with expressions of interest closing Thursday 15 October at 4:00pm (AEDT).
Built in Leith Scotland in 1938, South Steyne spent 36 years operating on the Circular Quay-Manly ferry route, crossing the harbour over 100000 times and carrying in excess of 92 million passengers on the 7-mile run.
The vessel later served as a floating convention and hospitality venue, an information and exhibition centre for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and a restaurant and function centre at Darling Harbour.
It also has a royal connection having been recommissioned during Queen Elizabeth II’s 1988 visit to Australia and serving as her royal yacht in Melbourne during her time in Victoria.
“South Steyne gives an operator something that is almost impossible to create from scratch, an established waterfront venue with its own identity, history and sense of arrival,” added Harry Mitchell, Executive, Hotel Transaction Services | Colliers.
The vessel currently comprises three decks, four function and exhibition areas and a restaurant with capacity for more than 500 guests. The Main Deck includes the ship’s boardroom, Saloon Lounge and Restaurant, together with alfresco outer-deck seating. The Promenade Deck contains the Harbourview Lounge and Manly Lounge, both opening onto outer decks and suitable for larger events, banquets and functions. A service galley is also located on this deck. The Upper Bridge Deck retains the ship’s navigation deck, two wheelhouses, lifeboats and crew accommodation while the rooftop presents potential for further activation including a sundeck or rooftop waterfront bar, subject to relevant approvals.
Hospitality infrastructure on the lower deck includes a commercial kitchen, two large walk-in coolrooms, freezers, office and staff facilities, dry-goods storage and a dumb waiter servicing the upper decks.
The vessel also retains its 3,250 IHP triple-expansion Harland & Wolff steam engine, an important part of its heritage significance and one of the defining features of the ship. The historic steam engine provides the
potential to return South Steyne to steam-powered operation, subject to the necessary requirements and approvals.
South Steyne was listed on the NSW State Heritage Register in 1999 and is recognised for its historical, social and technological significance to Sydney and Manly. The vessel is designed to be adaptable to different locations, subject to suitable berthing, maritime, planning and council requirements, having previously operated in Melbourne, Newcastle and Sydney.
Potential future applications include hospitality, tourism, events and entertainment, while its existing configuration could also support a new destination-led concept
With South Steyne approaching its centenary in 2038, the sale represents an opportunity for a new owner to take one of Sydney’s most recognisable maritime landmarks into its next era.
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