Batemans Bay: Foreshore pontoon to be extended for Sydney Seaplanes

Tourism on the NSW south coast is soaring to new heights with ambitious plans to extend a floating pontoon to make way for 15-seater seaplanes flying direct from Sydney Harbour.

‘Sydney Seaplanes’ will be landing aircraft as big as 15-seaters at the pontoon.

A NSW south coast town will be given a tourism boost with expansions to a floating pontoon given the all clear to allow seaplanes to land in the coastal tourist haven.

Seaplanes from Sydney Harbour will soon be able to land at the Batemans Bay foreshore, after $47,000 worth of upgrades to expand the Clyde River’s floating pontoon by 10m were approved.

The expansion will allow tourism company ‘Sydney Seaplanes’ to conduct regular 45 minute flights from their base in Sydney Harbour to Batemans Bay and back.

Batemans Bay Business Chamber President David Maclachlan. Picture: Supplied.

Batemans Bay Business and Tourism Chamber vice president, David Maclachlan, said the expansion was a “great thing” for the town.

“It’s going to allow Sydneysiders to come down to the bay and spend money without spending half of the day on the road,” he said.

Mr Maclachlan said Batemans Bay’s proximity to Canberra would be a selling point for the trip.

“You’re also going to get great views of the entire coast of NSW – it’s a great thing that’s happened,” he said.

The upgrades are expected to see the pontoon extend by 10m on either the east or west side. Picture: Tom McGann.

Bega MP Michael Holland and NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey visited the Batemans Bay floating pontoon in November 2023 to unveil the $47,000 funding for upgrades, which will also include the installation of a disability lift.

Eurobodalla mayor Mathew Hatcher also attended, giving further detail in the upgrades.

“We’re also expecting an extra gateway to be added, which will be closed off to keep people away and safe when the planes are landing and taking off,” he said.

Along with regular trips to Sydney Harbour, the seaplanes are also expected to make trips to Canberra, landing in Lake Burley Griffin.

Bega MP Michael Holland (left), NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey (middle) and Eurobodalla mayor Mathew Hatcher (right) visiting the Batemans Bay pontoon. Picture: Tom McGann.

“We expect these Canberra trips to be even more popular than the Sydney trips,” Dr Holland said.

“People are always travelling from Batemans Bay to Canberra so being able to do that trip in 20 minutes and not an hour and a half will be very popular.”

Sydney Seaplanes’ managing director Aaron Shaw previously said the flights could cost $250 each way and would typically use a 15-seater Cessna Caravan.

“We’ve already got the planes and a lot of experience operating them around Sydney, and we’ve got a base right in the middle of the harbour,” he said.

“The south coast is such a beautiful area, and to fly above it is stunning even when the weather’s not great.

“Access between Sydney and Batemans Bay isn’t easy, so we want to attract higher-end tourism to this part of the state and help people access some of the beautiful hotels and restaurants the south coast has to offer.”

Construction on the pontoon expansions will begin next year.

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