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.
- How do I appeal a fine issued by a Transit Officer?
- Who do I contact about unclean wharves?
- Do you have a lost property office?
- Why are services to Parramatta sometimes suspended?
- How do I get to Parramatta Wharf when the weir overflows and services terminate at Rydalmere?
- I am organising a group outing. Can I purchase ferry tickets in bulk?
- What is the process for charity collections at Sydney Ferries?
- What is the process for media visits or onsite filming with Sydney Ferries?
- How does my child apply for a school ferry pass?
- Are Sydney Ferries vessels and wharves wheelchair accessible?
- How do I get to Shark Island, Goat Island or Fort Dennison?
- Do you operate the "Manly Fast Ferry" or the Hawkesbury River Postman ferry?
- Can I take my bicycle on the ferry?
- Is parking available at Sydney Ferries wharves?
- Where can I get information about your New Years Eve or Boxing Day cruises in 2010?
- How do I apply for a refund?
- Why can't I buy a return ticket to Parramatta?
- What wharf does my service depart from and what is the address of my wharf?
1. How do I appeal a fine issued by a 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.
2. Who do I contact about unclean wharves?
Sydney Ferries is committed to providing safe and clean facilities for our customers. If you notice an unclean wharf please feel free to advise Sydney Ferries crew onboard the vessel or call Transport Info 131 500. Otherwise you may choose to contact NSW Maritime directly on telephone (02) 9563 8511.
3. 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 if possible
- A full description of the item lost
- The time and place where you boarded the ferry and your destination
Telephone: +61 2 8113 3002 between 7.30am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday.
Email: jt3reception@sydneyferries.nsw.gov.au
4. 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 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.
5. How do I get to Parramatta Wharf when the weir overflows and services terminate at Rydalmere?
Alternatively, catch a City Circle train from Circular Quay Station to Wynyard station. Change to Platform 3 and catch a train to Parramatta Station.
To get to Parramatta Wharf from Circular Quay
a) Follow the steps above and catch a train to Parramatta Station.
b) Alight from the train at Parramatta Station and walk to Parramatta Interchange stand A2 on Argyle Street.
c) From here you can catch the following buses: 521, 523, 524, 525, 545, 548.
d) Alight at Phillip and Smith Streets and walk East down Phillip Street until you meet Parramatta Wharf.
Alternatively, it is a 20 minute walk to Parramatta Wharf from Parramatta Station. Walk South down Station Street and turn left into Hassall Street. Turn left into Charles Street and follow this street until you reach Parramatta Wharf.
6. 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 DayTrippers, selected single ferry tickets and selected Ferryten 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.
7. 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. 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. View list of wharf owners here.
If you have any questions please contact Sydney Ferries reception on +61 2 9246 8300.
8. What is the process for media visits or onsite filming with Sydney Ferries?
Information about filming with Sydney Ferries can be found on our Marketing and Advertising page. For general enquiries about filming with Sydney Ferries, please telephone our Customer Relations Officer on telephone +61 2 9246 8363, or the Communications Manager on telephone +61 2 9246 8364.
9. How does my child apply for a school ferry pass?
School passes are issued by State Transit Authority (STA).
1. Obtain an application form from your child’s school and submit to STA, along with a letter stating why a ferry pass is needed.
2. STA will then check the form and forward it to NSW Transport & Infrastructure for consideration.
3. If your application is approved STA will issue you with a ferry pass.
10. Are Sydney Ferries vessels and wharves wheelchair accessible?
The entire Sydney Ferries fleet is wheelchair accessible via one of the 22 wheelchair accessible ferry wharves (pending tidal and safety conditions). You can find a full list of wheelchair accessible wharves by clicking here.
11. How do I get to Shark Island, Goat Island or Fort Dennison?
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 Dennision. You may wish to explore the following websites for more information about service times and fares:
12. Do you operate the "Manly Fast Ferry" or the Hawkesbury River Postman ferry?
No. Bass and Flinders operates the "Manly Fast Ferry" service. For more information, including fares and timetables, please contact Bass and Flinders on (02) 9583 1199.
Sydney Ferries operates the famous Manly Ferry onboard 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).
13. Can I take my bicycle on the ferry?
Yes, you are able to take your bicycle on Sydney Ferries vessels.
Please note: carriage of bicycles is limited due to capacity constraints. For the safety and comfort of other passangers we ask that you allow others to board or alight the ferry before taking your bicycle onboard. You are not required to purchase a seperate ticket for your bicycle.
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.
For your convenience, secure bicycle lockers are available at some wharves, click here to find out more information.
14. 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.
15. Where can I get information about your New Years Eve or Boxing Day cruises in 2010?
Information about the Sydney Ferries New Years Eve and Boxing Day Cruises will be available on the Sydney Ferries website from approximately October 2010.
16. How do I apply for a refund?
Sydney Ferries permits refunds under certain conditions. Read Sydney Ferries' refund policy.
17. 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 onboard the return service from cashier staff.
18. What wharf does my service depart from and what is the address of my wharf?
Please view the Sydney Ferries Network Map for your sevice's departure wharf at Circular Quay. Please note that all services (except the Manly service) depart from Wharf 4 Circular Quay after 7.30pm Monday to Friday, and after 7.15pm on Saturday.
Please click here for a list of wharf street addresses.
Is there a question you cannot find here?
Please call Transport Info 131 500 or email customerservice@sydneyferries.nsw.gov.au. Please note that emails sent to the customer service email may not be responded to immediately.