LOCAL business the Original Tea Gardens Ferry is a finalist in the 2026 Australian Small Business Awards.
The owners of this much-loved local service, which carries a large chunk of local tourism back and forth across Port Stephens Bay, will head to Sydney on 2 May for the awards.
“The ferry has such a special place in the hearts of the local community, so to [be] recognised at a national level is incredibly rewarding for everyone involved,” Kerrie Jeffreys told News Of The Area.
“This recognition belongs to our amazing crew, our wonderful passengers, and the communities of Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens who support us every day.”
The heritage ferry service, which connects Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens across the sparkling waters of Port Stephens, is well-known to locals and visitors.
Since taking over the business a few years ago, Kerrie has worked tirelessly to transform the ferry into a vibrant tourism experience while preserving the history and charm of the traditional service.
Her recent achievements have included the successful installation of dedicated jetties for loading and unloading commercial passengers.
“Today the ferry offers a range of experiences including history cruises with local storyteller John ‘Stinker’ Clarke, long lunch cruises with local restaurants, and special events celebrating the stories of the bay.
“[It] also works closely with community organisations including local Probus Clubs, U3A groups and visiting tour groups, sharing the maritime history of Port Stephens with passengers while cruising the harbour.
“Every day we get to share the beauty and stories of Port Stephens with people on the water.
“Being recognised like this makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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