Although Parramatta wharf served ferries in the early part of the 20th century, for a long time until the late 1990s Meadowbank wharf was the terminus of all Parramatta River ferries. Silt in the river and sludge from factory and industrial waste upstream, and the previous design of ferries meant that the deep hulled vessels were unable to go further upstream than the Meadowbank bridge. However, from dredging work and the introduction of catamaran ferries, RiverCat ferries now proceed to Rydalmere and Parramatta. At one time, the New South Wales Government was keen to make extensive use of ferry transport to Homebush Bay for the 2000 Summer Olympics, staged nearby. The Sydney Olympic Park wharf was built and used, although Olympic spectators were largely encouraged to use buses and trains.
Wharves
Circular Quay
Circular Quay is a major Sydney transport hub, with a large ferry, rail and bus interchange. The Cahill Expressway is a prominent feature of the quay, running from the east, over the elevated railway station to join the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the west. Sydney Cove was the site of the initial landing of the First Fleet in Port Jackson. Circular Quay was originally mainly used for shipping and slowly developed into a transport, leisure and recreational centre. Sydney Ferries services use wharves 2, 3, 4 and 5 at Circular Quay. Each wharf has ticket vending machines and ticket barriers, and is wheelchair-accessible.
serves the suburb of Chiswick and is located on Bortfield Drive, Chiswick. The wharf is wheelchair-accessible. The wharf is serviced by bus routes 504 and 415.
serves the suburb of Abbotsford and is located on Great North Road, Abbotsford. The wharf is wheelchair-accessible. The wharf is served by bus route 438 and L38 to City Martin Place via Leichhardt.
serves the suburb of Cabarita and is located on Cabarita Point. As of 2011, it is the busiest and fastest growing wharf on the river. The wharf is wheelchair-accessible. The wharf is served by bus route 466 to Ashfield railway station via Burwood and Strathfield.
is located in Kissing Point Park. The wharf is wheelchair-accessible. The wharf is served by bus route 507 to Macquarie University via Meadowbank and North Ryde, or Circular Quay via Victoria Road.
Meadowbank
was the westernmost point in the Sydney ferry network until 1992. This wharf serves the suburb of Meadowbank and is located on Bowden Street. The wharf is wheelchair-accessible. The wharf is served by bus route 513 to Carlingford.
serves the Sydney Olympic Park precinct and is located on Bennelong Road. The wharf has a single jetty used for docking of RiverCat ferries. The wharf was built in 1998 for the purpose of serving passengers for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and served the RiverCat service which brought the Olympic Torch to the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony. It now serves residents of Wentworth Point. A few services a day terminate at this wharf. The wharf is wheelchair-accessible. The wharf is served by bus route 526 to Rhodes, or Burwood via Strathfield.
Rydalmere
opened in 1992, this wharf serves the suburb of Rydalmere and is located on John Street. The wharf is wheelchair-accessible.
Parramatta
opened in 1992, this wharf serves the city of Parramatta and is located on Charles Street. The wharf is wheelchair-accessible. Services between Rydalmere and Parramatta are replaced by buses during extreme low tides.
Patronage
The following table shows the patronage of Sydney Ferries network for the year ending 30 June 2018.
