Rose Bay seaplanes

A number of changes have occurred in recent years, including the number of operators, the routes serviced, an upgrade of facilities and the aircraft types that now provide the growing tourism opportunities.

Names that were familiar only two years ago, such as Seaplane Safari, Sydney Harbour Seaplanes and Southern Cross, have merged with Sydney Seaplanes, while Seawing Airways has taken over the Palm Beach operations of Sydney by Seaplane.

Such mergers and changes result in two companies now operating four DHC-2 Beavers and a Cessna Grand Caravan amphibian from Rose Bay to some of Australia’s most notable restaurants, on Sydney Harbour sight seeing flights, for beach picnics and lately, on Hunter Valley wine trail expeditions.

In a tribute to the aircraft that began the first international flights from Rose Bay, Sydney Seaplanes has named its three Beavers and the Cessna after four of the famous Qantas Empire Airways Short C Class Empire flying boats. Each aircraft carries the name on the nose of the aircraft. It was in 1938 at Rose Bay that the Empire flying boats commenced a service to Singapore, meeting up with Imperial Airways flying boats that then completed the journey to England. Each Empire Flying Boat received a name starting with the letter ‘C’, thus giving rise to names such as Corio, Capella, Caledonia, Camilla, Cambria and Corsair.

Beaver VH-AAM is serial number 1492 off the production line. It was delivered to the Ghana Air Force in 1961 and traces its history in Australia back to 1976 when as VH-IMR it was imported by Aerial Agriculture Pty Ltd as part of Tom Watson’s acquisition of 68 Beavers for ag operations. Of late it was converted to passenger floatplane status and joined Sydney Harbour Seaplanes in 2003 after flying for a number of years out of Hamilton Island. It has been named Caledonia, a romantic and poetic allusion to Scotland. The original Caledonia was Empire Flying Boat G-ADHM.

Beaver VH-NOO is serial number 1535 off the production line and is named Cambria, being the latinised form of CYMRU, which is Welsh for Wales. VH-NOO was delivered new to Australia in 1963 and flew as VH-IDI in an agricultural configuration until 1997 when it was acquired by Sydney Harbour Seaplanes. The original Cambria was Empire Flying Boat G-ADUV.

The youngest of the Sydney Seaplane Beavers is VH-AQU, delivered to Australia in 1964 and being serial number 1544 off the production line. Named Capella after the brightest star in the Auriga Constellation, it has operated as a seaplane in a variety of locations including the Brisbane River during Expo 88 (as VH-IDN) and was purchased by Sydney Harbour Seaplanes in 1993. Since then it has operated from Palm Beach and Rose Bay. The original Capella was Empire Flying Boat G-ADUY.

The original Corsair was Empire Flying Boat G-ADVB and this name is now proudly worn by the latest addition to the fleet of Sydney Seaplanes, a Cessna Caravan amphibian registered VH-SXF. A brand new 2007 model, it was ferried from the factory to Australia via Los Angeles, Hawaii, Christmas Island, American Samoa and Noumea.

SFX is serial number 208-0405.

The arrival of the amphibious Caravan has enabled Sydney Seaplanes to expand its services and offer a number of Hunter Valley excursions from Rose Bay via Cessnock Airport. For the aviation enthusiast this combines a water takeoff and landing and a wheels landing andtakeoff at Cessnock. Most, however, come for the wine tasting, golf, secluded accommodation and fine restaurants that are a half hour flight by the Caravan from Rose Bay.

SeaWing Airways/Sydney by Seaplane operates Beaver VH-SWB, a beautiful amphibious Beaver being serial number 1557 off the production line. SWB was operated for many years in New Zealand by Fieldair Holdings Ltd in an agricultural role as ZK-CKD before being restored to her current glory by Frank Wright of Tauranga, New Zealand. Owner and chief pilot Steve Krug flew SWB out of Darwin until 2001 when he moved the operation to Sydney.

Like many Beavers, SWB has not only ferried its share of celebrities to restaurants but has also starred in the movie Superman Returns, following in the footsteps of Qantas Beavers in Walk into Paradise and many other Beavers in overseas movies such as Six Days Seven Nights.

Each aircraft has received an updated paint scheme in the past several years.

The terminal at Rose Bay has also been significantly improved both in style and comfort, presenting an attractive first impression for the discerning traveller.

The enthusiasm for the Beaver continues unabated. 2007 saw the Beaver celebrate its 60th year of flying and saw the 50th anniversary of Beaver agricultural operations in Australia.

Many customers are attracted to the romance and nostalgia of the radial engined Beaver while others come for the unparalleled views of Sydney Harbour including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

The Empire Class flying boats introduced flying standards that were luxurious by any measure. The operations today from Rose Bay continue to cater for the high end of the tourism market, this time to see some of the great sights of Australia from the timeless Beaver and the luxurious Caravan. o Top to bottom – VH-AAM Caledonia returning from a flight and about to dock at Rose Bay; passengers about to disembark, with the seaplane base tender used to assist the positioning of the aircraft on their moorings at the end of the day’s flying in the foreground; a shot taken from the terminal looking out onto VH‑AQU Capella; VH-SWB in its latest colours with Centrepoint Tower in the background.