I think ferries might have some merit as a tourist attraction, but they’re probably not going to be a cost and time effective means of transport.

Probably the bottom line is that (with the exception of the National Museum) all the locations you’ve mentioned are already linked by direct bus services running at 15 minute frequencies as part of the broader ACTION network. Adding ferries in to the mix would require new docks and maintenance infrastructure etc, so I doubt it’d be cheaper than the existing bus system servicing those areas.

Agree that it’d be very pleasant, and maybe it’ll become more viable in the future as the Kingston foreshore gets bigger, and the City to the Lake developments get off the ground.

I was told years ago, by a now very elderly lady, who once worked at the ANU (for over thirty years), there used to be a ferry running between Yarralumla and the ANU. Exactly where to where to don’t know. It was to bring workers to work. However, only about one person would regularly use the service, so it was cancelled. I did a quick google and found nothing about this. Does anyone else know anything about this?
A tourist service between the places mentioned sounds a good idea, at least for a trial.

Maya123 said :

I was told years ago, by a now very elderly lady, who once worked at the ANU (for over thirty years), there used to be a ferry running between Yarralumla and the ANU. Exactly where to where to don’t know. It was to bring workers to work. However, only about one person would regularly use the service, so it was cancelled. I did a quick google and found nothing about this. Does anyone else know anything about this?
A tourist service between the places mentioned sounds a good idea, at least for a trial.

The number of passengers that reportedly used this service is one more than I would have guessed.

A ferry that was fast enough would be too noisy for LBG. Caught a ferry in Brisbane lately?

I am pro a ferry across the lake with one caveat. There must be parking at each end.

With the East Lake/Causeway development never going to happen due to the contamination of the area, this leaves huge areas of the waterfront/or nearby that won’t ever likely be developed for housing.

So why not turn part of it into a multi story carpark. If you work in the city but live on the southside, it’s pretty reasonible to drive into the Causeway area, park, catch the ferry and walk into work.

It’s a great utilisation of land that otherwise isn’t appropriate for housing while getting more cars off the roads.

Of course it’s not rocket science to tie the ferry ticket with the parking ticket if that will shoo away Kingston locals parking for free.

Well then, why not an amphibious light rail system that plows straight into the lake after running into town from Gungahlin.

Or, dig out Sullivans creek and have a European style canal system.

But seriously folks, I can’t see the harm in this, there are already some docks in place and a few boats cant cost much
I could see myself skippering the SS Minnow around the lake.

And the pirate problem in the ACT is limited to the online realm.

Yet another transport solution that the majority of Canberrans can’t and won’t use.

If combined with a canal system that links Gunghalin to Civic it could just work (or at least get the support of the Greens and then become govt policy).

We could then expand the canal system by using a sequence of locks to include Belconnen, Woden, Tuggeranong, Queanbeyan and the airport. Employment for skilled singing gondoliers would skyrocket (an occupation sadly in decline since the installation of karaoke machines on public gondoliers in other cities). Traffic congestion would be reduced to nil as all Canberrans would embrace the new aquatic corridors that offer clean, green and slightly damp transport. A network of solar powered hydrofoils made from 100% recycled materials and organic hemp could do the Tuggeranong to Gunghalin run in 11 minutes and 47 seconds

A thriving restaurant and cafe culture would pop up along the banks of the canals as locals and tourists alike flock to enjoy the ambiance of canal side dining in the new Venice of the south!

The ACT Govt could save significant amounts on waste management by cancelling current tenders and employing bargemen to tow Canberra’s waste across the border and scuttle it in Googong dam.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

Yet another transport solution that the majority of Canberrans can’t and won’t use.

That’s why the OP has qualified it as “public” transport.
It is such a good proposal she won’t risk her own money.

You may find when they develop west basin with the new pool etc in the city to the lake plan, that a ferry service from there to say Kingston foreshore might be of use at certain times. The footbridge also never eventuated, from the museum , but with more development in west basin, there may be a need, although doubt it would be for commuter use, probably just weekends and public holidays.

neanderthalsis said :

If combined with a canal system that links Gunghalin to Civic it could just work (or at least get the support of the Greens and then become govt policy).

We could then expand the canal system by using a sequence of locks to include Belconnen, Woden, Tuggeranong, Queanbeyan and the airport. Employment for skilled singing gondoliers would skyrocket (an occupation sadly in decline since the installation of karaoke machines on public gondoliers in other cities). Traffic congestion would be reduced to nil as all Canberrans would embrace the new aquatic corridors that offer clean, green and slightly damp transport. A network of solar powered hydrofoils made from 100% recycled materials and organic hemp could do the Tuggeranong to Gunghalin run in 11 minutes and 47 seconds

A thriving restaurant and cafe culture would pop up along the banks of the canals as locals and tourists alike flock to enjoy the ambiance of canal side dining in the new Venice of the south!

The ACT Govt could save significant amounts on waste management by cancelling current tenders and employing bargemen to tow Canberra’s waste across the border and scuttle it in Googong dam.

That is hilarious. The current government is very Euro-centric so it could just happen that way.

neanderthalsis said :

If combined with a canal system that links Gunghalin to Civic it could just work (or at least get the support of the Greens and then become govt policy).

We could then expand the canal system by using a sequence of locks to include Belconnen, Woden, Tuggeranong, Queanbeyan and the airport. Employment for skilled singing gondoliers would skyrocket (an occupation sadly in decline since the installation of karaoke machines on public gondoliers in other cities). Traffic congestion would be reduced to nil as all Canberrans would embrace the new aquatic corridors that offer clean, green and slightly damp transport. A network of solar powered hydrofoils made from 100% recycled materials and organic hemp could do the Tuggeranong to Gunghalin run in 11 minutes and 47 seconds

A thriving restaurant and cafe culture would pop up along the banks of the canals as locals and tourists alike flock to enjoy the ambiance of canal side dining in the new Venice of the south!

The ACT Govt could save significant amounts on waste management by cancelling current tenders and employing bargemen to tow Canberra’s waste across the border and scuttle it in Googong dam.

Nice one! Good to see someone thinking outside the box 🙂

If only it’d bloody rain a bit more and then we could all ride the rapids of our awesome network of stormwater drains into town on our kayaks & boogie-boards.

I think a monorail would be a better option.

neanderthalsis said :

If combined with a canal system that links Gunghalin to Civic it could just work (or at least get the support of the Greens and then become govt policy).

We could then expand the canal system by using a sequence of locks to include Belconnen, Woden, Tuggeranong, Queanbeyan and the airport. Employment for skilled singing gondoliers would skyrocket (an occupation sadly in decline since the installation of karaoke machines on public gondoliers in other cities). Traffic congestion would be reduced to nil as all Canberrans would embrace the new aquatic corridors that offer clean, green and slightly damp transport. A network of solar powered hydrofoils made from 100% recycled materials and organic hemp could do the Tuggeranong to Gunghalin run in 11 minutes and 47 seconds

A thriving restaurant and cafe culture would pop up along the banks of the canals as locals and tourists alike flock to enjoy the ambiance of canal side dining in the new Venice of the south!

The ACT Govt could save significant amounts on waste management by cancelling current tenders and employing bargemen to tow Canberra’s waste across the border and scuttle it in Googong dam.

Geez, neanderthalsis, I’d be careful there. Too much more of that “visionary” thinking and you might end up serving as an ACT Labor or Greens MLA………

A great post !