... courtesy of the By-gone days of Nelligen & Batemans Bay facebook page.
The Old Steam Packet, a piece of Nelligen's history almost as old as Nelligen itself, is up for sale. It hasn't been a pub for many a decade during which time it was used, on and off, as a private residence, and last sold when old Benny was still running his old-fashioned Fish 'n' Chips next door.
The FOR SALE ad reads:
Built in 1905 and originally operating as a cheese factory, The Old Steampacket Hotel is one of the South Coast's most iconic historic buildings. Located on 5,500sqm (1.3 acres) and directly across from the pristine Clyde River, famous for its Sydney rock oysters, fishing and water sports. Nelligen Village is located 2 hours from Canberra or 3.5 hours from Sydney, this quaint, picturesque village steeped in history offers a relaxed, laid back lifestyle. The property is for sale by tender, private inspections only, building report available upon request. Close of tender August 15th 2021.
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I'm storing the photos from the FOR SALE ad here for their historic significance as much as for the fact that I've never seen the inside of the place and some of the photos show the state of progress of the new bridge being built and two show the downriver location of "Riverbend".
If you do want to lodge your tender, click here.
P.S. The above property last sold in March 2001 for $300,000. Past sales figures for the adjoining properties are as follows: 1 Wharf Street (Benny's old Fish 'n' Chip shop and now the River Cafe) last sold in October 2014 for $710,000; 11 Wharf Street (the double-storey brickhouse to the left) sold as recently as July 2020 for $800,000.
or click here to view and print the brochure
Most travellers speed across the modern bridge that spans the Clyde River and fifteen minutes later reach Batemans Bay. Before 1964 they would have joined the long queue of vehicles waiting to be ferried across on the punt. 30,000 vehicles used the punts at Nelligen in 1963, the year before the bridge opened.
But a lot has changed at Nelligen. In its heydays Nelligen was a busy seaport and coastal town. The village was laid out in 1854 when the Illawarra Steam Navigation Co (ISN) began operating here.
Nelligen became a depot for supplies brought down the coast from Sydney and up the Clyde River by the ISN. From here they were transported mostly to Braidwood and the neighbouring goldfields.
By 1860 fine hundred horses and nearly as many bullocks were carrying the trade between Nelligen and Braidwood. By that time the village boasted four public houses, two stores, two blacksmiths, a baker and a watchhouse manned by two policemen.
Today Nelligen is a quiet little backwater, but still fulfilling the role of a rest stop for the traveller as it has done since the "road" via the Clyde Mountain was opened in 1856.
It is a picturesque little town, nestled as it is on the banks of the slow-flowing Clyde River. Nelligen has an air of history and old-time charm about it, remaining untainted by the progressive developments down the road at Batemans Bay.
Click here for an early-morning view of Nelligen and the Clyde
Nelligen Community Notice Board
Bygone Days of Nelligen & Batemans Bay