Moruya’s abandoned boat in Malabar Creek mystery revealed

An abandoned boat has called Moruya home for years, but what is its story?

The 'Sunken Barge'. Picture: Tom McGann.

An abandoned boat has called Moruya home for years, but what is its story? How did it get there and what was it used for?

Listed online as the ‘sunken barge’, the abandoned boat has actually been in Malabar Creek near North Head Drive since the early 1900s.

According to the Moruya Historical Society, the boat was brought into the town as a result of a devastating flood.

“There have been a number of floods in Moruya in the past which have caused a lot of problems,” Moruya Historical Society President, Sue Murphy said.

“The first Moruya Bridge was 1876, then was replaced in 1900.

“Then in 1945, a huge flood washed away the bridge.”

President of the Moruya Historical Society, Sue Murphy. Picture: Tom McGann.

It was this massive flood that destroyed the bridge which made the now abandoned boat necessary.

The boat was brought in to act as a punt to bring materials between the two sides of the Moruya River.

According to files at the Moruya Historical society, “a punt was brought into operation until a temporary bridge could be built”.

“That’s the boat you see when you drive down North Head Drive,” Mrs Murphy said.

The boat is now abandoned and while the Historical Society knows most things about the area, there is one question they cannot answer: why is it still there?

“We’re not sure why it wasn’t taken away,” Mrs Murphy said.

Another look at the 'Sunken Barge'. Picture: Tom McGann.

“There could be a number of reasons. Perhaps it was forgotten, perhaps they just didn’t bother.

“But now it is a historical landmark with a lot of history that tells a big story of Moruya’s past floods.”

The boat now rests in Malabar Creek by the bridge in a sanctuary zone and can be seen while driving to and from Moruya.