5 More Top Scenic Ferry Trips in Sydney

Sydney Olympic Park Ferry Wharf 

6) Circular Quay to Parramatta

In Sydney’s west, Parramatta is booming, with new hotels and restaurants, festivals and oh-so-cool entertainment precincts. Getting there along congested freeways can be a headache, however. We recommend swapping the car for a RiverCat catamaran and gliding – sans traffic – along the Parramatta River on a leisurely one-hour cruise. Sit back, relax and enjoy views of Cockatoo Island, Drummoyne, Kissing Point, Meadowbank and Sydney Olympic Park, before you alight.

TIP: Head to the new Parramatta Square and you’ll find a diverse range of restaurants, dishing up everything from Japanese to gelato, burgers to pastries.

Parramatta River ferries depart from Circular Quay, Mon-Fri 6.47am-11.37pm; Sat & Sun 7.07am-11.37pm. 

7) ) Barangaroo to Circular Quay via Luna Park

Aerial of Sydney Harbour, Milsons Point

Take this public ferry trip on the quiet, western side of the harbour, passing Barangaroo Reserve, the heritage-listed Goat Island and the sandstone foreshore of Balmain East. Stop at the iconic amusement park Luna Park for a day full of courage-testing rides, sideshow games and a showing at the immersive cinema, Dream Circus. Then, cruise leisurely back to Circular Quay to return to the city.

TIP: Sydney has some of the best cafes in the world, so start in Barangaroo with a brew and pastry at Shortstop Coffee & Donuts or a Japanese-inspired breakfast at Devon Cafe.

Barangaroo ferries to Circular Quay via Luna Park depart every half hour.

8) Barangaroo to Balmain East

Balmain East Ferry Wharf, Balmain waterfront
 Credit: James Horan

This is a short trip (five minutes), but a good one. Head down to the western harbour precinct of Barangaroo – there’s plenty to entertain here, from expansive parklands to hip restaurants and bars along the waterfront. Hop on a Balmain-bound ferry and zip past Goat Island before arriving at the wharf. From here, it’s a short walk to Balmain’s buzzing, historic streets.

TIP: Pets are permitted on ferries if they are in a box/basket/container – at the discretion of the crew. And when you arrive in Balmain, most pubs are dog friendly, so you can drink and dine with pooch in tow.

Balmain East ferries depart from Barangaroo on the Parramatta line.

9) Barangaroo to Blackwattle Bay

View across Blackwattle Bay, Glebe - Credit: James Horan

It’s another short ferry ride from Barangaroo to Blackwattle Bay, which is the gateway to a swathe of coastal parkland around the suburb of Glebe. There’s a great foreshore walk, and plenty of grassy places to spread out a picnic rug. We recommend that you stroll the short distance to the Sydney Fish Market first, and pick up a bounty of fresh seafood before finding a place to feast back near the wharf.

TIP: The Sydney Fish Market is home to the Sydney Seafood School, where you can book in for cooking classes ranging from how to prepare XO crab to making an Italian seafood feast.

Blackwattle Bay ferries depart from Barangaroo, Mon-Fri 6.56am-7.56pm; Sat & Sun 8.56am-6.56pm. 

10) Cronulla to Bundeena

The Cronulla to Bundeena ferry returning to the

 Tonkin Street Public Wharf, Cronulla

The southern shire of Cronulla, around 26km south of Sydney’s CBD, is known for its uncrowded beaches and surf breaks. From here, a quaint timber ferry (the longest running in Sydney and also the city’s most southerly ferry route) operates once an hour to Bundeena, the gateway to the epic Royal National Park. Touch down and get set for wonderous adventures involving hiking, swimming, surfing and paragliding.

TIP: The Bundeena to Wattamola Walk (which forms part of the larger Coast Track) is legendary, spanning clifftops and with epic coastal views – look out for whales between May and September. The walk is 3.5 hours one way, and you can book a shuttle bus service for your return journey through Bundeena Kayaks.

Travel between Cronulla Wharf and Bundeena Wharf, Mon-Fri 5.30am-7.30pm; Sat & Sun 8.30am-7pm (Sep-May) & 8.30am-6pm (Jun-Aug). Note: Opal cards are not accepted.