When did regularly scheduled passenger ship service across the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand cease? When did regular commerical air service between the two countries begin and how long did it take for it to replace steamship service?
I’m looking at old newspaper databases, and it looks like Tasman Empire Airways was flying regularly by 1939-40.
The Union Steamship Company had regular Trans-Tasman services. Also, “Wanganella” was on the run, apparently until 1963. I remember our family taking my aunt and uncle to Auckland to sail for Sydney on the “Wanganella”, but I don’t know what year that was. I would have been 5 or 6, so that’s 1960 or 61.
TEAL, Tasman Empire Airways, flew from about 1940, using flying boats. TEAL is the predecessor of Air New Zealand, so check them out for the history of that airline.
Thanks, while googling the ship name I found this site. A whole lotta info on the history of cruise lines, ocean liners, and even the odd blurb on trains or airships.