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Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of frequently asked questions and responses. Scroll down or use the links to jump directly to your issue.

Travel Safely with Sydney Ferries

Tickets and Fares

Facilities

Timetables and Services

Cruises and Events

Corporate / Other

Travel Safely with Sydney Ferries

Do you have vessel and wharf safety information for customers?

Please refer to our Travel Safely with Sydney Ferries guide.

Are Sydney Ferries vessels and wharves wheelchair accessible?

The entire Sydney Ferries fleet is wheelchair accessible via one of the 21 wheelchair accessible ferry wharves (pending tidal and safety conditions). List of wheelchair accessible wharves and accessibility information.

Can I take my motorised scooter on the Manly Ferry?

Electric scooters (those used as a mobility aid) are permitted to board the Manly Ferry at either Circular Quay or Manly wharves. Please ask the crew for the safest area for you to place your scooter during the journey. Further information on mobility aid specifications.

Petrol run scooters (those similar to motorbikes), large ride-on-scooters with a laden weight over 300 kg and all three-wheeled ride-on-scooters are not permitted on the wharf or ferry in any circumstance..

What is a safe boarding pass?

On busy days Sydney Ferries may issue boarding passes to ensure safe boarding on Parramatta River services. Boarding passes may be handed out at Parramatta, Darling Harbour and Circular Quay wharves as customers arrive for their service.

The boarding passes are not designed to reserve seats but to safely manage large passenger numbers on the pontoon area of the wharves. Boarding passes do not replace your ticket, and you will also need to purchase a valid ferry ticket for your service.

Please enquire with Sydney Ferries staff and listen for announcements to see if boarding passes are currently being issued for your service. On busy days, Parramatta River services are very popular and can reach capacity quickly. Please ensure you plan ahead, arrive early and allow plenty of time for travel.

Can I take my bicycle on the ferry or wharf? What are the safety considerations?

Yes, you are able to take your bicycle on Sydney Ferries vessels. Carriage of bicycles is as the discretion of the crew due to safety requirements and may be limited due to capacity constraints.

Safety Considerations:

  • Riding of bikes, skateboards and rollerblades etc is strictly prohibited on both wharves and vessels.
  • We ask that you push or carry your item while on the wharf or ferry.
  • Ensure you have firm hold of your item while using the gangway.
  • For the safety and comfort of other passengers we ask that you allow others to board or alight the ferry where possible before taking your bicycle on board.

Storage of your bike on the ferry:

  • The Manly service vessels have areas where bicycles can be secured during the journey. Please ask the crew where they are located.
  • For all other vessels, please ask the crew to guide you to the most appropriate area to stow your bicycle during the trip.
  • Customers must remain with their bicycle during the trip.

You are not required to purchase a separate ticket for your bicycle, however, for your convenience, secure bicycle lockers are available at some wharves, click here to find out more information.

Do you have tips for travelling with children or prams?

  • Read the Travel Safely with Sydney Ferries guide.
  • When boarding or alighting via the gangway, ensure that your children hold on to the rail.
  • Ensure your children stay well away from the edge of the wharf or pontoon.
  • Children should be assisted through the gates and families should use the wide gate.
  • Prams wider than 74cm will not fit on some gangways and should be collapsed before boarding.
  • Where possible we ask that parents and carers fold larger strollers during the trip and place their child securely on their laps or on a seat beside them.
  • For safety reasons larger strollers should not block aisles or walkways.

Can I take my dog or another pet on the ferry with me?

Customers are welcome aboard Sydney Ferries' services with their Assistance Animal or their Pet according to some simple rules. Further information on travelling on Sydney Ferries with your Animal.

Tickets and Fares

How do I appeal a fine issued by a Revenue Protection Transit Officer?

State Transit Revenue Protection Officers are employed by State Transit to ensure the safety of customers while travelling on ferries and at wharves. They have the power to issue penalty notices for ticketing, safety, behavioural, property and compliance offences and have the power to ask people to leave ferries and wharves. If you feel your fine was imposed in error you can appeal it by following the instructions provided on the penalty notice. Alternatively, you can arrange payment or ask questions by telephoning 1300 138 118. Read more about the fines process.

What Concession Cards are valid when buying a MyFerry or MyMulti ticket?

Want to know if your concession card is valid? Download the Concession Card Guide (PDF 1MB).

I am organising a group outing. Can I purchase ferry tickets in bulk?

You can now purchase and collect Sydney Ferries tickets in advance. Tickets that can be purchased in bulk in advance include MyMulti DayPass, selected single ferry tickets and selected MyFerry TravelTen tickets. Please call (02) 8113 5424 during business hours Monday to Friday (limited to bookings of ten people or more). Please read our group bookings page for more information.

How does my child apply for a school ferry pass under the School Student Transport Sceme (SSTS)?

The Department of Transport manages the School Student Transport Scheme. Transport operators issue passes to eligible students, and schools play an important role in verifying students' eligibility and liaising with transport providers.

Why can't I buy a return ticket to Parramatta?

Sydney Ferries do not sell return tickets to Parramatta as we cannot guarantee the return journey will be available either because of operational problems, large crowds at Parramatta or rain causing flooding of the Parramatta Weir. A single ride ticket can be bought on board the return service from cashier staff.

How do I apply for a refund on my ferry tickets?

Sydney Ferries permits refunds under certain conditions. Read Sydney Ferries' refund policy.

Facilities

What wharf does my service depart from and what is the address of my wharf?

Please view the Sydney Ferries Network Map for your service's departure wharf at Circular Quay. Please note that all services from Circular Quay wharves 2 and 5 depart from Wharf 4 after 7.30pm.
Please click here for a list of wharf street addresses.

Who do I contact about unclean or damaged wharves?

NSW Maritime control all commuter wharves on Sydney Harbour. Sydney Ferries is committed to providing safe and clean facilities for our customers. If you notice an unclean wharf, or broken seats/wharf structure etc, please feel free to advise Sydney Ferries crew on board the vessel or call NSW Maritime directly on telephone 02 9563 8608 (24 hours).

Alternatively you can email Commuter.Wharves@maritime.nsw.gov.au - noting the date and time of the issue. This is not a general enquiries email, it is to report issues on commuter wharves on Sydney Harbour such as cleanliness, maintenance anti-social behaviour etc.

Is parking available at Sydney Ferries wharves?

Parking is available near some Sydney Ferries wharves, in car parks and also on street parking. Parking facilities are provided by the local council for that wharf and parking conditions are subject to change. Use the list below to contact the relevant local council to enquire about parking facilities at your wharf. View a list of local council areas and contact number for each wharf.

Timetables and services

Why do the gates of the Manly Ferry close two minutes early?

Gates to the Manly Ferry service close two minutes before the scheduled departure time to ensure on-time-departure. For your comfort and safety, please be on the wharf ready to board at least five minutes before the vessel is due to depart.

Why are services to Parramatta sometimes suspended?

On occasion Sydney Ferries must suspend services to Parramatta, usually during or after heavy rainfall. This is because a large volume of water can rush over the weir next to Parramatta Wharf, making it difficult for vessels to berth and manouver safely. In addition, heavy rain can wash debris into Parramatta River, which must be removed before vessels can safely navigate the river.

In this situation Sydney Ferries will monitor the situation closely and Parramatta services will terminate at Rydalmere Wharf. Sydney Ferries will resume services to Parramatta Wharf when it is safe to do so.

How do I get to Parramatta Wharf when the weir overflows and services terminate at Rydalmere?

To get to Parramatta from Circular Quay

  • Catch the M52 Metrobus from Alfred Street, Circular Quay and alight crn of Wilde and Phillip streets in Parramatta.
  • Catch a train from Circular Quay Station to Wynyard station and change for a suburban train to Parramatta Station OR Catch a train from Circular Quay Station to Central and change for an inner city train to Parramatta. Walk to Parramatta Wharf (15 - 20 mins) or get the free Parramatta Shuttle Bus.

How do I get to Lane Cove River, Shark Island, Goat Island or Fort Dennison by ferry?

The regular Sydney Ferries commuter service does not service these locations, however there are a number of private operators operating in Sydney Harbour who make regular trips to Shark and Goat Island as well as Fort Dennison and Lane Cove River. You may wish to explore the following websites for more information about service times and fares:

Do you operate the "Fast Ferries" to Manly, Palm Beach Ferries or the Hawkesbury River Postman ferry?

There are two private 'Fast Ferry" services which operate to and from Manly. Manly Fast Ferries and Sydney Fast Ferries. Please see the respective websites for fares and service times. MyZone tickets can not be used on these services.

Palm Beach Ferries run services in Palm Beach, Ettalong and the Central Coast.

Sydney Ferries operates the famous Manly Ferry on board our iconic Freshwater class vessels. The Manly Ferry service timetable can be found here.

The Hawkesbury River Postman ferry is run by Hawkesbury River Ferries. Visit the Hawkesbury River Ferries website. You can contact them on 02 9985 7566 (8.00am to 4.00pm, 7 days per week - closed Good Friday & Christmas Day).

Cruises and Events

Do you still run the Heritage Cruise?

The Sydney Ferries Heritage Cruise ceased operation on March 31 2009. The decision was made by the Sydney Ferries board to have the vessel released for normal passenger services. We apologise for any disappointment.

Where can I get information about your New Years Eve or Boxing Day cruises in 2011?

New Years Eve 9pm Family Fireworks

Three of these cruises will run this year. Tickets are now on sale - Click here for full information.

NYE Midnight cruises and Boxing Day

The NYE Midnight cruises and Sydney to Hobart Boxing Day cruise will not operate in 2011. Increased demand for commuter services over the busy summer period means an unavailability of vessels to perform these cruises. Sydney Ferries regrets any disappointment to customers. However, there are number of places customers can go to see these events which may provide a similar atmosphere.

Corporate / Other

Do you have a lost property office?

The Lost Property Office at Circular Quay Wharf 3 is open for enquiries and collection on weekdays between 7.30am and 4.00pm. Outside these hours there is the facility to leave a message. Alternatively, you are welcome to call Transport Info on 131 500 outside of business hours.
If you've misplaced an item on one of our ferries, please try to provide Sydney Ferries with the following information:

  • Your full name
  • Your contact details including a telephone number and an email address
  • A full description of the item lost
  • The time and place where you boarded the ferry and your destination

Telephone: 02 8113 3002 between 7.30am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday.
Email: jt3reception@sydneyferries.nsw.gov.au

What is the process for charity collections on Sydney Ferries property?

It is advisable to obtain permission to collect money for charity from the owner of the wharf (in most cases this will be NSW Maritime on 13 12 56). Once you have obtained permission from the wharf owner, Sydney Ferries would appreciate you contacting us as a courtesy so we can advise our staff - Sydney Ferries Head Office 02 9246 8300.

Can I charter a ferry for a wedding or small function?

Generally Sydney Ferries cannot provide charters for wedding transports or small fucntions as all vessels are required to be in regular passenger service.

You may wish to enquire with the following organisations who provide charters as part of their core business:

What is the process for on-site filming with Sydney Ferries?

Information about filming with Sydney Ferries can be found on our Marketing and Advertising page.

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Is there information you think should be here?
Please call Transport Info 131 500 or see our contact us page for general enquiry contacts.

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