Wisemans Ferry Inn Hotel

03/09/2026

Join us to celebrate 200 Years!
19-20th save the date!

26/08/2026

200 Years in Wisemans! Come join us for our special bicentennial celebration week!

24/07/2026

14/07/2026

We were honoured to be able to support the Charity Poker Run hosted by FILMB last week supporting Gotcha4Life.

Starting in our historic Wisemans Ferry this motor bike ride took participants through Bilpin, Capertee and ending in Bathurst all supporting mental health charity Gotcha4Life.

Here's the winner of the JD bottle donated by the pub pictured below with the event organisers and our Licensee Bill.

08/07/2026

Join us tonight for State of Origin Game 3 and $5 VB schooners all day!

26/06/2026

WISEMANS FERRY’S POSTMASTER, PUBLICAN & FERRYMASTER –
GEORGE BLACK & HIS AMAZING WIFE, MARY

As we approach the bicentenary of the Wisemans Ferry punt (1827 – 2027) we remember George and Mary Black, also in recognition of the bicentenary of the Wisemans Ferry Cemetery (1826 - 2026) & the bicentenary of the Wisemans Ferry Inn (1826 - 2026)

One of the graves in the Wisemans Ferry Cemetery belongs to George Purves Black.

Black arrived in NSW aboard the ship Coromandel in Oct 1838, with his family as immigrants from Wexford, Ireland. He was just 2 years of age when they landed, the youngest of three brothers.

Upon his marriage to Mary Ann Foody, George's father gave his son 400 acres of his property between Munro's Lane and Harrison's Lane, Dural (now known as Glenorie). George Black owned this property up until his death.

In 1864 George and his wife Mary Ann began managing the Wisemans Ferry Inn which incorporated the post office and telegraphs. They also ran the ferry.

The ferry crossing could sometimes be hazardous, particularly when animal were involved as they could be unpredictable.

There was a report recorded in 1868 of how George Black courageously rescued a man who was knocked overboard from the ferry;

“A dray, with a team of bullocks had been placed on board, when part the way over, the bullocks moved too near the end of the punt. The owner, endeavouring to move them back, was rushed and knocked overboard. The unfortunate man could not swim, and the wind being fresh and the stream strong, he was swept downstream rapidly, when Mr Black bravely plunged in (the river) to his assistance, and with much difficulty, seized him by the back of his neck and got him to land in an insensible state.”

In April 1877, George Black was operating the punt was crossing the river, loaded with 24 horses when the vessel overturned after the animals took fright. The horses all drowned as did a punt worker who was severely kicked by the desperate horses. Black, and the horses’ owner, Mr Coffill, managed to extract themselves with great difficulty and swim to shore.
Black passed away on 16th Jan 1880 of pneumonia. It was said injuries that he sustained three years prior, prevented him from recovering from his illness.

His death notice in the Sydney newspaper read; “At his residence in Wiseman Ferry, Mr George P. Black, passed away after a long and painful illness, which he bore patiently, caused by injuries received by the upsetting of the Wiseman’s Ferry punt. He was very much respected and deeply regretted by a large circle of friends. He left a wife and eight children to mourn their loss.”

After her husband died, Mary Black became the publican at both the Travellers' Rest Inn, Wollombi and the ' River Inn', Wisemans Ferry. This was highly unusual for a woman at this time however, originally being a Foody, a highly respected pioneer family on the Hawkesbury River, would have assisted her greatly.

She retired as a publican in 1893.

Mary, known locally as 'Aunt Mary Black' was a courageous lady who regularly rode her horse from Wisemans Ferry to Dural.

Once she called in on the family at Dural en route to the bank at Parramatta with 300 sovereigns secreted in her bonnet. For protection she carried a revolver and knew how to use it.

She died in her cottage at Wisemans Ferry in 1922, aged 82.

Mary Black is also believed to have been laid to rest in Wisemans Cemetery although this is not shown in the records currently available. It is hoped the current research being undertaken by local man, Rob Mekenzie and others can confirm that Mary was buried in the cemetery with her husband who pre-deceased her by 42 years.

21/06/2026

Local business Bulldog Tree Services will be appearing this Tuesday on Outback Truckers. Join us on the deck to watch these guys in action on the big screen.

15/06/2026

Join us this Wednesday for State of Origin and $5 VB schooners all day!

10/06/2026

Congratulations to our Keno Epic Night In winner Row. Her sister, local Kim, was kind enough to pick it up for her (pictured here with Vinnie). I'm sure she's glad she didn't have to drive down from Forster to pick it up!

29/05/2026

Join us this weekend for live music!

Join Alvin Ash on Saturday night from 5.30pm

Join Andrew Dawson Music on Sunday afternoon from 12pm

We look forward to seeing you there!

25/05/2026

Join us this Wednesday for State of Origin Game 1. Coverage from 7pm on the big screen. Giveaways on the night.