Australia · Sydney Harbour, read from the deck of a green-and-gold ferry
New South Wales ferry routes & schedules
There is no better way to understand Sydney than from the water, and the ferries of New South Wales turn the daily commute into one of the world's great harbour cruises. Circular Quay, under the shadow of the Opera House and the Bridge, is the hub from which the network reaches out to Manly's surf beaches, the harbourside zoo and the up-river suburb of Parramatta.
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- Connections
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- Operators
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- Quays
About
Ferry travel in New South Wales
The classic harbour runs
The Circular Quay to Manly route is the headline act — a thirty-minute passage past the Heads that locals and visitors alike treasure. Shorter hops serve Taronga Zoo and Watsons Bay, while the long Parramatta run threads up the river into the city's western reaches.
Services are operated by Sydney Ferries, the public network, alongside Manly Fast Ferry, which offers a quicker crossing on the Manly line.
Riding the ferries
Sydney's public ferries run frequently through the day and are part of the integrated Opal fare system, so tapping on and off is the same as buses and trains. Timetables tighten in the evenings and vary between the slow scenic services and the faster private craft — check the operator's schedule so you catch the sailing you want.
See the wider network on the Australia ferry hub.
Quays
Ferry quays in New South Wales
5 quays with published connections. Open a quay for every route that calls there.
At a glance
Which New South Wales crossings run most often?
The busiest published crossings, ranked by number of listed sailings.
| Route | Crossing | Sailings | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circular Quay → Taronga Zoo | 12m | — | 1 |
| Taronga Zoo → Circular Quay | 12m | — | 1 |
| Circular Quay → Manly | 18m | — | 2 |
| Manly → Circular Quay | 18m | — | 2 |
| Circular Quay → Watsons Bay | 25m | — | 1 |
| Watsons Bay → Circular Quay | 25m | — | 1 |
| Circular Quay → Parramatta | 1h | — | 1 |
| Parramatta → Circular Quay | 1h | — | 1 |
Timetables
Ferry routes in New South Wales
8 routes departing New South Wales.
Circular Quay4 routes
Manly1 route
Parramatta1 route
Taronga Zoo1 route
Watsons Bay1 route
Operators
Who runs the ferries in New South Wales?
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the best ferry ride in Sydney?
The Circular Quay to Manly route is the classic harbour journey, passing the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and the Heads on the way to Manly's beaches.
Which operators run Sydney's ferries?
Sydney Ferries operates the main public network from Circular Quay, and Manly Fast Ferry runs a quicker service on the Manly route.
Can I use an Opal card on Sydney ferries?
Yes, the public Sydney Ferries services are part of the Opal fare system. Check the operator's timetable for departure times, which vary through the day.
How many ferry routes are there in New South Wales?
New South Wales has 8 ferry and express-boat connections across 5 quays. Each route page lists the timetable, crossing time and operator.
Who operates ferries in New South Wales?
Boat and ferry services in New South Wales are run by 2 operators, including Manly Fast Ferry and Sydney Ferries. Most are part of Australia's county public-transport network.
Explore
Other ferry regions in Australia
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub.