A notice in the Government Gazette dated the 10th June, 1887 notified the re-establishment of a ferry at Lugarno.
The notice reads (in part) "The Governor...by this proclamation direct and appoint that a point on the George's River known as the Old George’s River Crossing, now known as Lugano, shall be a Public Ferry, at which on and after this date tolls or dues shall be demanded, levied and taken..."
The tolls to be charged were the same as those applying thirty years earlier.
The mention of "Lugano" in this notice as the earliest known reference to this name, and the spelling clearly indicates a connection with the Swiss town of the same name.
An article in the Echo newspaper of the 23rd October, 1890 gives an indication that the reason for the re-opening of the ferry may have been the provision of a road to Liverpool.
"When the Rocky Point and Kogarah Roads were opened and a punt placed at Tom Ugly's Point the Soily Bottom punt fell into disuse. The road was neglected and became blocked up by falls of earth in several places from the cliffs which overlook it, but some two years ago a number of unemployed were sent to work to clear the old track and to make a new road to Liverpool on the southern side of the George's River, while on the northern bank is hung a large bell so that persons wishing to cross from Hurstville can signal the punt without straining their lungs. The river at this place is about 500 yards across and a little lower down is fully half a mile wide. Mr. J. Hanson is the puntman and lives on the southern side of the river."
The ferry at this time was a hand winched ferry. On one side of the ferry a wheel with a handle attached was turned, and this propelled the ferry along its cable. The ferry could take three horses and their carts if some skilful maneuvering was employed, and the rear gate left partly open, but secured with a rope. Early ferrymen included Charles Saul and Alfred "Dad" Saunders. In 1913 controversy surrounded the renewal of "Dad" Saunders contract. He was over 70 years old, and needed assistance from passengers to winch the ferry across the river. Some passengers complained, although many willingly assisted the ferryman. His contract was renewed on the 4th October, 1913 till the 30th June, 1914.
Hurstville Council was incorporated a few months before the ferry started in 1887. In 1895 landowners in the Illawong area petitioned the Government for their area to be added to the Hurstville Municipality. The operation of the ferry between the two parts of the Municipality became a concern of Council, and following the enactment of the 1906 Local Government Act, the Council's legal and financial responsibility. Tolls were removed from the ferry on December 7, 1907, and the ferryman was paid £2 a week under contract with the Council.
A few instances of the ferry cable breaking have been recorded. One time Charles Delardes was crossing with a horse and dray. The cable broke when the ferry was near the shore. Fearing that the horse and dray would be swept away on the ferry, he quickly took off his waistcoat, placed it over the horses' eyes, and drove the dray through water about a metre deep before reaching the shore.
On Easter Sunday, April 29, 1911, the cable broke again, and the ferry drifted downstream. A detachment of soldiers from the Easter Camp were waiting to cross the river, and went to the rescue of the drifting ferry. After securing the ferry they then spliced the cable, this temporary repair lasting for a month or so.
In July 1916 the ferry sank at its moorings. It was re-floated and taken to Tom Ugly's Point to be repaired.
These interruptions to service were particularly annoying to the market gardeners of Menai, who had to go through Sutherland and across Tom Ugly's ferry. In September 1917 a deputation met the Acting Minister for Local Government, Mr. Ley, M.L.A. for Hurstville, urging nationalisation of the ferry, and a new steam powered ferry.
One morning early in March 1919 the cable broke yet again, and the ferry drifted towards the Moons with horses and carts on it. It was not until late in the evening that the punt was back in position, but it was out of operation until a new cable was purchased. Hurstville Council thought this was the responsibility of the Government, and wished to be rid of the responsibility of maintaining the ferry. The Government would not help the Council, which had to purchase a new cable for £60. The Council estimated that it spent £100 a year on ferry cables.
The ferry was idle for about six weeks from November 28, 1919 awaiting repairs.
The Illawong area was transferred from Hurstville Council to Sutherland Council in 1921. Hurstville Council saw this as their opportunity to pass responsibility for the Lugarno ferry over to Sutherland Council in June 1921, however the ferry had to be re-conditioned at a cost of £310 before being handed over. Hurstville Council continued to pay half the costs of operation.
On the 6th April, 1923 Sutherland Council called tenders for the continuous operation of the ferry. According to the Annual Report of the ferryman to Sutherland Council 1868 motor cars and bicycles, and 24,307 passengers were carried in 1923. The ferryman was on duty day and night and received £4 a week for continuous service. The Propeller newspaper of 8 February, 1924 described this as absolute slavery.
The hand winched ferry ceased operations in August 1927 as Sutherland Council tried to force the Government to pay more towards the cost of the ferry.
The ferry was re-opened on the 14th April, 1928 with a six car diesel ferry given to Sutherland Shire Council by the Department of Public Works.
The Lugarno and District Progress Association organized an opening ceremony to be performed by Mr. F. Stanley, M.L.A. and Mrs. Stanley on Saturday 14th April, 1928, at 3.30 p.m. The Mayor of Hurstville, Ald. L. A. Field was to preside over the ceremony. An invitation was sent to the President and Councillors of Sutherland Shire Council, and brought forth a stinging reply. Sutherland Council considered that they, together with Mr. Lysaght, M.L.A. were principally responsible for obtaining the ferry, with the cooperation of Hurstville Council. Sutherland Council pointed out that they were the only authority charged with the care and management of the Ferry. The letter from the Sutherland Shire Council to the Lugarno and District Progress Association concluded:
"With these facts in mind my Council cannot but regard your action as an exhibition of execrable taste and colossal impudence. Under these circumstances neither the President nor any Members of Council can officially recognize your effort."
It would seem that political party differences had added injury to the insult. Fred Stanley was Labor, and A. Lysaght represented the United Australia Party.
The ferry was already old when it was installed at Lugarno, and it required a great deal of money to be spent on it.
The six car ferry was inadequate for the increasing traffic of the 1950's, and an order was placed for a new sixteen car ferry, to be built at Newcastle at a cost of £43,000. It was towed to Botany Bay in 22 hours, and commenced operation at Lugarno on the 12th July, 1961. Half the cost was paid by the Main Roads Department, and the remainder was shared between Hurstville and Sutherland Councils.
It is said that there were teething troubles when the new ferry was installed, due to its greater size and speed. On one trip the deckhand could see that the ferry was approaching the Lugarno side far too quickly, and he ran through the lines of cars calling "First stop Hurstville!".
The Lugarno Ferry closed in 1974 following the opening of the Alfords Point Bridge on the 7th September, 1973.
The bell at Lugarno, used to call the ferryman on the other side of the river was taken to the Oti River Leprosaurium, Ghana, by a missionary from the Lugarno Baptist Church.