Gladesville : Bedlam Point Ferry

The suburb 'Gladesville' in Sydney's Northern Suburbs. Originally known as 'Doody’s Bays to the Europeans (convict artist John Doody was granted land here in 1795), the current name is from the estate of a later resident - John Glade. The estate was named 'Gladesville' when it was subdivided and sold in November 1855.

---

This particular area is the site of the Bedlam Point Ferry - a small cable-driven punt (hand-winched - a chain was fastened at each side of the river) which carried the Great North Road across the Parramatta River to Abbotsford. This is the narrowest point of the river below Homebush Bay, only about 200m.

The punt operated here from 1832 to the 1860s, when it was replaced with a more permanent (and boat-based) service.

13 / 13

Abbotsford, Sydney, NSW, Australia

The Sydney suburb of Gladesville in the city's 'Northern Suburbs' area. European settlement began in the 1790s - erasing much of the area's Aboriginal heritage, although there are still a couple of rock carving and grinding groove sites visible.

The first grant was made in 1795 to convict artist John Doody - leading to the area's name 'Doody’s Bay'. The current name also stems from this estate - greatly enlarged by John Glade. After his death, the estate was named 'Gladesville', subdivided and sold.

---

This particular structure is the site of the convict-built Bedlam Point Ferry (a small cable-driven punt operated here from 1832 to the 1860s), which carried passengers across to where Abbotsford Wharf now stands. At 200m, this is the narrowest point of the Parramatta River below Homebush Bay.

Selected by Surveyor-General Major Thomas Mitchell as the crossing point, it enabled the Great North Road to continue its journey.

3290151 HDR Abbotsford Architecture Australia Gladesville Great North Road NSW New South Wales Parramatta River People Places Structures Sydney Things Thomas Mitchell Transport cableferry wharf