One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Sydney Harbour is by hopping on one of the many scenic ferry services operated by Sydney Ferries.
Head east to places like Cremorne Point, Rose Bay, Watsons Bay, or Manly, for a swim, a coastal walk, or a relaxed drink by the water. Or, travel west to explore Cockatoo Island or cruise along the Parramatta River, stopping at one of the many waterfront suburbs for lunch.
Below, we’ve shortlisted eight of the best ferry trips in Sydney, each offering great Harbour views and an enjoyable destination at the end of the ride.
1. Circular Quay to Manly
The most popular ferry ride is also one of Sydney’s biggest tourist attractions. Manly is a must-visit for every tourist coming to Sydney, and the ferry ride from Circular Quay is half the fun.
This ferry trip passes all the sights that make Sydney Harbour unique, such as the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Bradleys Head, South Head, Manly North Head, Dobroyd Head, and Manly Cove.
If the weather permits, try to get a seat outside at the front of the vessel for the best views. Otherwise, pick one side of the boat on the way to Manly and grab a seat on the other when returning to Circular Quay.
There are many things to do in Manly, with several beaches, lots of cafes and restaurants, and great walking tracks to choose from. Both the Manly to Spit Bridge Walk and the Manly North Head Walk are beautiful hikes.
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| Circular Quay to Manly | |
|---|---|
| Ferry service: | F1 Line |
| Duration: | 22 minutes |
2. Barangaroo to Cockatoo Island
While visiting Cockatoo Island may not be on everyone’s wish list, we think it’s a must-visit for tourists and Sydney residents alike.
Situated in the middle of beautiful Sydney Harbour, Cockatoo Island is a UNESCO World Heritage and National Heritage Listed island. This unique island has a rich history as a shipbuilding yard, Commonwealth naval base, and even as a convict island.
To visit Cockatoo Island, catch a ferry from Circular Quay or Barangaroo. Upon arrival, grab a free map from the visitor centre and start exploring the island’s historical precincts.
Read more:
| Barangaroo to Cockatoo Island | |
|---|---|
| Ferry service: | F3 Line |
| Duration: | 10 minutes |
3. Circular Quay to Watsons Bay
The 20-minute ferry trip from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay via the F9 Watsons Bay ferry service is to one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.
Watsons Bay is home to an exciting walking trail, lots of cafes and restaurants, several beaches, and a beautiful park to relax and have a picnic.
If you’d like to extend this ferry route, you can also jump on the ferry from Pyrmont Bay and travel to Circular Quay via Barangaroo. That way, you can cover large parts of the Harbour on both sides of the bridge.
Read more:
| Circular Quay to Watsons Bay | |
|---|---|
| Ferry service: | F9 Line |
| Duration: | 23 minutes |
4. Barangaroo to Parramatta
The longest ferry trip on this list is the one from Barangaroo all the way to Parramatta in the west along the Parramatta River.
This ferry ride is a pleasant experience with many things to see. Once you’ve arrived at your destination, it’s time to explore Sydney’s second major residential and commercial hub.
With the Westfield Parramatta shopping mall, Church Street’s trendy bars and eateries, riverside cycle paths, and historic colonial sites like the 18th-century Old Government House, Parramatta has a lot to offer.
But, of course, you don’t need to travel all the way to Parramatta. There are many nice suburbs to visit along the Parramatta River, such as Drummoyne, Abbotsford, and Meadowbank.
| Barangaroo to Parramatta | |
|---|---|
| Ferry service: | F3 Line |
| Duration: | 75 minutes |
5. Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo
While there’s ample parking available at Taronga Zoo, the best and most enjoyable way to travel to Sydney’s most popular zoo is by ferry.
Not only is the ferry trip a great warm-up for what’s to come, but the ferry wharf is also conveniently located close to the lower entrance to the zoo on Athol Wharf Road.
But you don’t need to visit the zoo to enjoy this scenic ferry ride. The ferry wharf at the zoo is also the starting point of the popular walk to Balmoral Beach and the shorter walks to Sirius Cove Reserve and Bradleys Head.
Read more:
| Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo | |
|---|---|
| Ferry service: | F2 Line |
| Duration: | 12 minutes |
6. Barangaroo to Blackwattle Bay
The F10 ferry service from Barangaroo to Blackwattle Bay was integrated into the Opal network in 2026 and travels through a quieter part of Sydney Harbour.
With one stop at Pirrama Park in Pyrmont, this ferry trip offers a unique perspective of the city skyline, the Pyrmont Foreshore, the Glebe Island Bridge, and the Anzac Bridge, before gliding into Blackwattle Bay.
Once you disembark at the Blackwattle Bay wharf, it’s a short, pleasant stroll along the Glebe Foreshore to the new Sydney Fish Market.
Whether you’re heading there to grab some fresh local prawns or just to admire the world-class architecture of the new precinct, catching the F10 turns a simple ferry ride into a proper Sydney afternoon out.
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| Barangaroo to Blackwattle Bay | |
|---|---|
| Ferry service: | F10 Line |
| Duration: | 17 minutes |
7. Circular Quay to Balmain East
What’s great about this relatively short ferry ride between Circular Quay and Balmain East is that it offers front row seats to Sydney’s most iconic landmarks.
With stops at Milsons Point and McMahons Point, this 16-minute ferry ride passes the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, and Barangaroo Reserve.
The Balmain East Wharf is located at the eastern end of Darling Street, Balmain’s busiest street, with many cafes, restaurants, and retail shops to explore.
Old sandstone workers’ cottages and impressive Victorian-style mansions line the leafy streets of Balmain, revealing the rich history of this once working-class industrial hub.
| Circular Quay to Balmain East | |
|---|---|
| Ferry service: | F4 Line |
| Duration: | 16 minutes |
8. Circular Quay to Cremorne Point
The shortest trip on this list of Sydney ferry trips is the one-stop ride to Cremorne Point, which departs from Circular Quay.
As short as this trip may be, Cremorne Point is a wonderful destination as it is home to one of the prettiest walks in Sydney Harbour.
The Cremorne Point Walk is an easy 3 km foreshore circuit trail in Sydney’s lower north shore, with beautiful views of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline.
Read more:
| Circular Quay to Cremorne Point | |
|---|---|
| Ferry service: | F6 Line |
| Duration: | 10 minutes |
About Sydney Ferries
Why pay for an expensive Sydney Harbour cruise if you can experience the best of the Harbour by simply using public transport?
Sydney’s iconic green-and-gold ferries transport local commuters and tourists to all corners of the Harbour. Most services start and end at Circular Quay, Sydney’s central ferry transport hub.
Circular Quay also has a train station that connects with all other Sydney CBD train stations, including Sydney Central.
This makes the weekend travel cap on the Opal card even more appealing, allowing Opal card holders to use all public transport services for less than $10 for the whole day.
Owned by Transport for NSW, Sydney Ferries is the public transport ferry network with services operating on Sydney Harbour and the connecting Parramatta River. Established in 2004, the network has 9 lines and over 30 vessels.
Fares
Not only is travelling by ferry a fantastic way to get from A to B, but it’s also surprisingly affordable. The most convenient way to pay for any Sydney Ferries service is with an Opal card.
If you don’t have an Opal card, you can purchase an Opal single ticket (more expensive) or use Contactless payments with your Credit or Debit card.
A single ferry trip is less than $10, with trips shorter than 9 km slightly cheaper than those longer than that distance.
The Opal card has a daily travel cap of less than $20 on weekdays and less than $10 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This means you can travel as much as you like on metro, train, bus, ferry, and light rail services within the Opal network without paying more than the cap.
Overall, travel with Sydney Ferries is reasonably affordable and can make for a great day out and about in Sydney Harbour!
Love Sydney, grew up in Kurnell Botany Bay, ferry rides are contagious, just amazing, thank you.
Thanks so much Richard, ferries are indeed a fantastic way to see the best of Sydney.
Thank you for such an informative article. I LOVE boat rides and cruises and I’m coming to Sydney soon!
Thanks so much, Melissa. Definitely do one or more ferry rides because it’s the best way to see the Harbour and they get you to beautiful destinations.
Oh yes, I love Sydney ferries, ride them whenever I come up to visit from Adelaide. I could do it all day long, the Harbour truly is the best in the world!
Thanks James, we couldn’t agree more!