Wangi Queen [wun-gee kween] is an iconic 1922 timber ferry originating from Empire Bay on the Central Coast of Australia. She was first launched by shipwrights The Beattie Brothers on 22 September 1922, just two weeks after the state funeral of famed poet Henry Lawson. Formerly known as MV ETTALONG, STAR of ETTALONG and MV PROFOUND, Wangi Queen has a long and colourful history. During WWII she ser
ved as a naval ferry transporting defence personnel around Sydney Harbour to various bases; in 1948, the owner installed a General Motors Detroit US-671 that he happened upon in an army store on the Parramatta River. It is the same faithful engine that continues to hum and carry us along today. In 1951 the saloon on the lower deck was installed, and the midship entrance widened. From 1951 to 1973 she was known as MV Profound, and was a much loved ferry and charter vessel around Sydney Cove, Circular Quay, Lavender Bay, Kirribilli and Campbells Cove. In 1974, she was purchased by Graham Burgess. He sailed her from Sydney Cove to Lake Macquarie, renamed her 'Wangi Queen' [wun-gee kween]. "Wangi" an Awabakal word that means 'water'. Graham and his dedicated team operated Wangi Queen for almost 16 years from Marmong Point, boarding at Boolaroo, and cruising around the beautiful waterways of Lake Mac, down as far as Wangi Wangi and Toronto. Graham has been quoted as saying he hosted 16 short of one thousand weddings aboard Wangi Queen during her time on the Lake under his helm. From 1990 to around 2002 Bill & Sue Gibson operated Wangi Queen, continuing her legacy as the love boat party good vibes of Lake Mac. It was with much love sweat and tears that they committed to care and maintain Wangi Queen and serve Lake Macquarie. In 2020 Wangi Queen underwent extensive restoration works by master shipwrights using traditional shipbuilding methods and traditional timber cuts; to bring The Queen back to her original solid glory. She is most known for her time on Lake Macquarie where she operated for 37 years, providing private charters and tours under the helm of Graham & Maria Burgess, Bill & Sue Gibson and Les Bilkin. In 2011, she was relocated from Lake Mac to Port Jackson by Sydney Tallships, where she undertook historic castles, champagne and convict tours from Campbells Cove, Goat Island and Point Piper. Now based in beautiful Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park and operated by Bay Ferry Tours, Wangi Queen offers daily lunch and sunset cruises that explore the beautiful scenic waterways of the western harbour of Port Stephens - from Bulls Island, Taylors Beach, Soldiers Point, Fame Cove, North Arm Cove and Tahlee, and even as far as beautiful Karuah. For details visit our website wangiqueen.com.au
