Tathra Wharf
Bega, NSW
Australia
Canon 500D

Featured in The World As We See It , or as we missed it Group, May 2010

Building was started in 1860 when local farmers, tired of the long and often unreliable haul to the deep water wharf at Menmbula, joined with the Illawarra Steamship Company to provide the funds to build the wharf and store shed. The building was not without its problems . divers from Bermagul had great difficulty blasting holes in the rock to anchor the huge piles required as a wharf foundation Another problem was the steepness of the track down to the wharf on arriving. all wagons had to Wait at the top of the track until a man could be found to brake the wagon down the track on the return trips when laden with freight. They had to double up the teams to pull the wagon up the steep track. Despite the problems. The wharf prospered and all local produce and passengers were carried to Sydney in sailing ships. then later in paddle wheelers. In 1883 the Illawarra company put a screw steamer on the run. A typical cargo would comprise such things as bark , bacon, cheese, butter, tallow. wool packs and store goods plus farming implements.

By 1912 the wharf was proving far too small so it was extended and a crane added, cattle yards and races put in plus a watering trough for the cattle and horses. Accommodation for passengers improved. In 1914 a large crowd saw the first of the district’s soldiers off to war. Over the years the when the shipping trade fell off as better roads were built and the Illawarra company suspended trading in 1958.

After that the wharf was only used by timber boats no ships used the wharf for many’ years an is slowly fell Into disrepair. but became a very popular fishing venue for both visitors and locals.

A move was made to pull the wharf down and a very important part of the district’s history would have been lost were it not for a handful of dedicated, hard working people who founded the ’Tathra Wharf Action Group They set about the mammoth task of raising the money required to restore the wharf and building

It was decided one of the buildings and part of the wharf were past the point of no return but the main building and a large section of the wharf have been restored.

Information from
Bega Pioneers Museum