The 1906 omnibus: First stop, Beaches

Key points

• The first private use of motorised buses in NSW started on the Northern Beaches in 1906. The Manly-Pittwater Motor Omnibus Company began running two Aster-Wembley buses from the Pier Hotel in Manly on 8 February 1906.
• The buses travelled to George Brock's mansion at Mona Vale. By May 1906 the service ran to Narrabeen and was extended to Rock Lily and Bayview.
• Brock's planned resort collapsed when a railway line did not reach Pittwater. The company was wound up voluntarily in July 1908.