The Putney Punt, a riverside industrial history, and one of Sydney's hidden pockets.
Mortlake sits on the southern bank of the Parramatta River, 17 kilometres west of the CBD in the City of Canada Bay, hemmed in between the newly developed Breakfast Point to the west and Cabarita to the east. The suburb's name reflects a pattern of naming Parramatta River localities after Thames localities: nearby suburbs of Greenwich, Woolwich, and Putney follow the same logic, earning the Parramatta River its historic nickname as the Thames of the Antipodes. Mortlake was notable as the site of the Australian Gas Light Company gasworks, established in 1883 on what is now the Breakfast Point residential development.
Mortlake today is a small, somewhat tucked-away pocket that its residents typically find through personal connections rather than property searches. The suburb is home to the southern bank of the Mortlake Ferry - the Putney Punt - the last surviving punt service in Sydney, a free cable car ferry that crosses the Parramatta River to Putney. The Palace Hotel is the local pub. Bus route 464 terminates at Mortlake as the suburb's connection to Ashfield station. Access by road from the broader city requires either coming from Cabarita through Victoria Road or from the Concord direction.
The residential character is a mix of heritage waterfront cottages and newer apartment buildings, with the Breakfast Point development on the western boundary providing the contemporary high-density contrast to Mortlake's more modest established character.
Road access to Mortlake is the key planning consideration for any move in the suburb. Coming from the east, the approach is through Cabarita Road off Victoria Road. Coming from the west, it is through Concord Road. There is no direct through route that makes the approach straightforward, and a truck that arrives from the wrong direction on a narrow access road has limited options. Billy identifies the correct approach route for every Mortlake property during quoting.
The Breakfast Point development on Mortlake's western boundary has its own access infrastructure through the master-planned estate road network. For moves within Breakfast Point, Jet confirms strata requirements and building access before the day - the development has structured strata management for its townhouses and apartment buildings. For properties in the older Mortlake residential streets, the access is more informal but the approach route planning is equally important.
The Putney Punt operates across the river to Putney and can handle vehicles as well as pedestrians. For any Mortlake move that involves large items from a Putney property coming to Mortlake or vice versa, the Punt is a practical option that most removalists would not know to use. Billy has used it.
Fully insured by QBE on every job. No deposit required. No cancellation fees.
"Mortlake waterfront cottage that had been my family's home for 20 years. Billy knew the access route, arrived correctly, and moved the whole house without a single mark on the walls or floors. Exceptional care."- Anne C., Mortlake waterfront cottage move
Either via Cabarita Road from Victoria Road to the east, or through Concord Road from the west. Billy identifies the correct approach during quoting based on the specific address.
Yes - Billy has used it. For moves involving properties on both sides of the river, it is a practical option worth knowing about.
We charge hourly. The access planning adds a small amount of time but once the truck is in position the move runs normally. Get in touch for an estimate.
Yes - same crew, no handoffs. Fixed-price interstate quote available.
Or call us directly on 0466 705 078 - Mon to Sat, 7am to 6pm.
Get a free quote - usually back to you within a few hours.