New book celebrates the golden era of flying boats, seaplanes and Australia’s first ‘international airport’ at Rose Bay

Rose Bay

Lie-flat beds are nothing new, and Australia’s first international runway didn’t involve an inch of tarmac – these are just two of the fascinating facts revealed in a new book celebrating Sydney’s golden era of flying boats that first conquered Australia’s ‘tyranny of distance’.

"Sydney Seaplanes: Honouring Heritage, Embracing the Future" was launched this week by the author Carolen Barripp, former Qantas chief Alan Joyce and owner of Sydney Seaplanes, Dr Jerry Schwartz.
A ‘ripping yarn’, the evocative book is based on the most unlikely of international ‘airports’ – Rose Bay on the Sydney waterfront.

Sydney Seaplanes brings to life the evolution of Rose Bay from its pre-colonial days through to becoming Qantas’ first international airport, its vital role during the Second World War and onto its rebirth as the home of Sydney Seaplanes, providing transfers along the eastern seaboard and scenic flights around Sydney.

The early 20th century marked the dawn of the flying boat era. These extraordinary aircraft, designed to land on water, travelled across vast oceanic distances, revolutionised mail delivery and passenger transport between continents. To operate the crucial Australia-UK route Qantas Empire Airways, a collaboration between Qantas and Imperial Airways, was formed. Central to their mission was the Empire Air Mail Scheme, which sought to streamline and enhance airmail delivery across the British Empire. Rose Bay played a significant role in connecting Australia to the Empire.

Lie flat beds on Qantas flying boats
that took off from Rose Bay in 1938

Former Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce, provides the introduction to Carolen Barripp’s book, highlighting Qantas’ role in the remarkable story: “In 1938, Rose Bay became Australia’s first international airport, serving as the base for Qantas Empire Airways and Imperial Airways under the Empire Air Mail Scheme. This groundbreaking moment connected Australia to the world through majestic flying boats, including the Short Empire, Catalina, and Sunderland aircraft. These extraordinary machines embodied the bold vision of overcoming the tyranny of distance, bringing Australia closer to the rest of the world, and pioneering global air travel.”

These aircraft transported mail, freight and, most importantly, people between Australia and England, in a style never before seen. There were lie-flat bunk beds, waiter service, lounges and even the occasional golf game.

While significantly reducing travel times between Australia and Europe, the flights experienced their share of dramas, encountering extreme weather and other non-climatic challenges.

The glory days of transcontinental travel were short-lived, as World War II intervened and saw Rose Bay’s aviation facilities repurposed for the war effort. At the end of the war, some 50,000 Sydneysiders lined the shores at Rose Bay to welcome home returning, emaciated POWs.

After the war, the Rose Bay base resumed operations as a flying boat hub. It emerged as a prominent gateway for long-haul passenger services to Europe. Former RAAF pilots repurposed ex-service aircraft for sightseeing, charters and transport along Australia’s east coast, New Zealand, Fiji, and the Pacific Islands. Advances in aircraft design and the proliferation of land-based airports, however, soon led to the decline of flying boats, with the last services to Lord Howe Island ending in 1974.

Avid aviator Dick Smith with former
QF CEO Alan Joyce and
Sydney Seaplanes' Rod Harys and
owner Jerry Schwartz

Over the past 50 years, Rose Bay has transitioned from a transport hub to the base for Sydney Seaplanes, but establishing a permanent, state-of-the-art seaplane base there has faced many challenges. For decades, seaplane operators navigated the deteriorating facilities left behind by the flying-boat era, sparking tensions among Council, the state government, and residents. Despite obstacles and a variety of operators, Sydney Seaplanes was established by the determination of two visionaries, culminating in the formation of the company and the realisation of a modern, world-class facility that still connects people from around the world with Sydney.

Today, Sydney Seaplanes – owned by hotelier and tourism entrepreneur Dr Jerry Schwartz – operates a fleet of Cessna Caravans and de Havilland DHC-2 Beavers. The Caravans are modern, turboprop aircraft that can carry 12 passengers, while the Beaver is a classic seaplane known for its reliability and capability.
Sydney Seaplanes Lounge remains an ‘airport lounge’, but also operates as a renowned waterfront restaurant under the helm of chef Natali Mikailoglu. The golden era of flying boats is commemorated in a museum at Sydney Seaplanes Lounge.

Further information: https://www.seaplanes.com.au/
Books can be ordered from: reservations@seaplanes.com.au RRP$20

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