It was by pure chance that I happened to stop at Berowra Waters for lunch on the 17th April 2015, just in time to see the Macquarie Princess embark, laden with dignitaries, on its centenary cruise on the Hawkesbury River
<a href="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/the-hills/former-boat.." rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/the-hills/former-boat..</a>.
A history of the vessel essentially copied from Macquarie Princess's facebook page
1915: The Macquarie Princess was built by W. Holmes & Co, McMahons Point, Sydney, NSW, Australia. She was then named the 'Nambucca' and used on the Nambucca River as a cream boat to collect milk containers from dairy farmers along the river to be delivered to the NORCO butter factory.
1925 - 1938: By 1925 cargo transport had become more economical via road, and the Nambucca was commissioned by the NAVY as a personnel transportation vessel, running from Balmain to Garden Island on Sydney Harbour.
1938: Nicholson Brothers Harbour Transport which was based at Balmain, purchased the vessel. Her name was changed to 'Promote' and she joined sister vessels the 'Provide' and later the 'Produce' and 'Protend' on the Balmain to Erskine Street (Darling Harbour) run. During her years as a ferry on the Harbour, the superstructure included an open top deck which enabled her to carry 197 passengers comfortably.
1969 - 1973: The Promote, continued to work on Sydney Harbour as part of the Stannard Brothers fleet of commuter ferries.
1973 - 1974: The 'Promote' went to Broken Bay Ferries, operated by George and Thelma Bennet, and continued to work as a commuter ferry, this time on Pittwater.
1974 - 1979: The Promote continued to work on Pittwater as Scotland Island Co-op (John Hebden) included her in their fleet.
1980: David Mitchell purchased the vessel and she was taken to Lake Macquarie for conversion to a cruise boat. Her name was changed once again to "Macquarie Princess".
1983: The Macquarie Princess was purchased by Gordon & Joan Mandin and commenced operation at Berowra Waters on the Hawkesbury River as cruise vessel.
2003: The Mandin Family retired and the Macquarie Princess was purchased by owner operators Fred & Carolyn Mulae, and Gino & Mary Donofrio. The vessel underwent a major mechanical overhaul and structural restoration.
2007: The Macquarie Princess was purchased by John & Lisa Tillott, and along with the help of children Jasmine & Bradley is now run as a family operated cruise boat.
The Macquarie Princess has now operated from the very same wharf at Berowra Waters West Marina since 1983, and in this time has carried over 650 000 passengers.
The Tillott family look forward to ensuring that the M.V “Macquarie Princess” will continue to cruise the Hawkesbury for many years to come.