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The Sorrento pier was constructed in 1870 mainly for vessels engaged in transporting lime to Melbourne.
By 1886 the regular steamship service was capable of carrying well over 3,000 passengers a day on the paddle steamers Ozone, Hygeia and Weeroona. Over 4,000 trippers were known to arrive on some days. Many would then take the steam or horse-drawn tram to the Ocean Beach.
Postcard - 'The Pier, Sorrento', c. 1920, Nepean Historical Society
Courtesy of Nepean Historical Society
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© Copyright of Nepean Historical Society
Courtesy of Nepean Historical Society
"The white wake of the paddle steamer, pink under the burning sun."
Perth Daily News, 1920
Postcard - 'Ozone' Arriving at the Pier, Sorrento', c. 1912, Nepean Historical Society
Courtesy of Nepean Historical Society
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Courtesy of Nepean Historical Society
The paddle steamer season began on Derby Day each year, the last trip operating on Easter Sunday. The busiest day was Cup Day.
Postcard - 'The Steam Tram, Back Beach Sorrento', c. 1890, Nepean Historical Society
Courtesy of Nepean Historical Society
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The Sorrento Tramway Company was established in 1889 and enabled passengers from the steamships to enjoy a comfortable ride through town to ocean swimming at the Back Beach.
Postcard - 'Sorrento from the Pier', c. 1900, Nepean Historical Society
Courtesy of Nepean Historical Society
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Sorrento offered visitors a wide range of outdoor activities and accommodation to suit all budgets.
People would put on their best outfits to promenade along the foreshore.
Plaque - Paddle Steamer 'Weeroona', c. 1910, Nepean Historical Society
Courtesy of Nepean Historical Society
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Brass plaque for the Paddle Steamer 'Weeroona', 1910.
Functional Object - Sorrento Paddle Steamer Ticket Punch, c. 1910, Nepean Historical Society
Courtesy of Nepean Historical Society
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Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
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Ticket punch used on the paddle steamers.
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
