HISTORY
SINCE 1938
Gateway to the Skies
Rose Bay has been Sydney’s gateway to the skies since 1938, when the first Empire Flying Boats touched down on these waters. These magnificent seaplanes represented the golden age of aviation—an era when crossing oceans meant something truly special, and every departure was an event.
The flying boats connected Sydney to London, Singapore, and beyond, transforming Rose Bay into an international hub. Passengers would arrive at the waterfront terminal, board these elegant aircraft, and embark on journeys that could take days, island-hopping across the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
The Spirit Lives On
Nearly a century later, that pioneering spirit remains alive. Our restaurant sits on the very waters where those historic flights began, and Rose Bay is still home to Sydney Seaplanes—one of the few places in the world where seaplanes continue to operate commercially.
When you dine with us, you’re not just enjoying a meal by the water. You’re part of an ongoing story of flight, adventure, and connection that has defined this place for generations. Watch the seaplanes take off and land throughout the day, just as they did in 1938, and feel what it means to be somewhere truly unique.
THE MUSEUM
A Living Chronicle of Aviation History
Our Flying Boats of Rose Bay exhibition takes you back to the 1930s and 40s, when Rose Bay was at the centre of international aviation. Located in the Sydney Seaplanes Lounge, the museum tells the story of the Catalina flying boats and their remarkable journey from luxury travel to wartime heroes.
During the Second World War, these versatile aircraft played a crucial role in reconnaissance, search and rescue, and transport missions across the Pacific. Many were based right here in Rose Bay, making this harbour a strategic military asset and a symbol of Australia’s contribution to the war effort.
