There has long existed a daily ferry service from Stony point to Tankerton, French Island and to Cowes, Phillip Island and return. The SS Alvina ran this service from 1925 - 1933.
1925 saw the Alvina first in service.
In 1932, with the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a number of Vehicular ferries were thrown into redundancy. Mr. Sambell of Phillip Island and Western Port Shipping Co. purchased the massive landings, ramps and gantries from Sydney Ferries Ltd.
Dissasembled in Sydney, they were taken to Cowes and Stony Point Jetties.
The Killara, a wooden double ended steamer 146 ft long was bult in 1909 and could accomodate 35 cars and 1000 passengers, used as a ferry in replacement of the Alvina in 1933
One race day in 1937, 7000 passengers were transferred to and from Phillip Island.
In 1942 due to dwindling traffic, the Killara was withdrawn from service.
(left) The S.S. Alvina in 1898 & right, in 1929
