Sail into Thor’s Hammer for salvaged Sydney Ferries recycled timber
April 2025
Credit: Spencer Lee @Pexels
Sydney Harbour is a place of timeless beauty, filled with landmarks that define the city— the Opera House, Luna Park, the Harbour Bridge. But just as iconic are the Sydney Ferries, their distinctive green and cream livery a familiar sight as they dock and depart from Circular Quay.
Thor’s Hammer has recently acquired large ironbark timbers salvaged from the refurbishment of these historic ferries. What makes this timber truly special is that it still bears traces of Sydney Ferries’ iconic green paint—a piece of history embedded in every plank.
The Story Behind the Iconic Livery
Sydney Ferries have worn the green and cream livery since the 1930s, a colour scheme that became synonymous with the city’s waterways. While Transport NSW experimented with alternative colours in the 1980s and 1990s, public sentiment and heritage considerations led to the reinstatement of the classic colours in 2007. Today, the green and cream paint remains a nostalgic and essential part of Sydney’s maritime identity, instantly recognisable to Sydneysiders and visitors alike.
Sydney Ferry timbers on arrival at the Thor’s Hammer yard.
Recycled Timber with a Nautical Past
The salvaged timber from the Sydney Ferries presents an opportunity to repurpose history into something new. Among the reclaimed wood, some pieces come with a unique twist—literally. The heavy timbers were originally used as sponsons — as a shock absorber on the ferry’s sides to cushion impact when docking. While some pieces are straight (as you’d usually expect from an old post or beam), others were sawn to a gentle curve, matching the curved sides of the ferry.
The sponsons also had short buffer timbers nailed to them, and then a rubber cover, which explains why they are still in such good condition. You can see some of the buffer timbers in the above photo.
Currently, we have two big packs of straight timber and two packs of curved timber available. Each piece has had the nails pulled out (or cut off - some were too rusted in to remove) and any split ends docked off, making it ready for your next project. The durability of the timber is exceptional. After years of use, getting bashed and splashed across Sydney Harbour, the recycled ironbark and tallowwood is amazingly still completely solid and ready for a new life.
Timber Details.
Product: Posts & Beams
Size: 150x150mm
Lengths: Mostly 3.8 - 4.0 metres (some down to 2.5m long).
Species: Ironbark & tallowwood
Sydney Ferry Timbers - Nails removed or cut off, and lightly cleaned. The next step could be wire brushing to reveal some of the grain and colour.
A Second Life for Historic Timber
This reclaimed ferry timber offers endless possibilities for creative projects. The curved pieces are ideal for arched arbours, pergola roofing, bench seating, or curved garden beds. If you’re looking for something truly one-of-a-kind, our design team can transform this heritage timber into bespoke furniture, ensuring that a part of Sydney’s maritime history continues to be appreciated in a whole new way.
Arched Arbour sketch, curved timber is perfect for roofing solutions.
At Thor’s Hammer, heritage timbers like these don't stay in stock for long. If you’d like to own a tangible piece of Sydney Ferries’ history, contact us today to secure your salvaged ironbark before it sets sail once again—this time, in a brand-new form.
Credit: Joseph Kim @Pexels