Circular Quay is Sydney's main ferry terminal, and Transport for NSW lists separate Sydney Ferries lines from it to Manly, Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay and along the Parramatta River. A few private operators run extra harbour services too. Each card gives the figures as the official pages state them and says when we last checked.
Sydney (Circular Quay) → Manly
Operators: Sydney Ferries (F1 Manly), Manly Fast Ferry
Journey time: Sydney.com (Destination NSW) says "the 30-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay" to Manly. Manly Fast Ferry gives "20 minutes travel time" for its own fast service.
When it runs: Transport for NSW lists the F1 Manly line; its timetable page loads by script. Manly Fast Ferry describes a "Daily fast ferry service between Manly Wharf 2 and Circular Quay Wharf 2" (read 2026-10-30).
The two durations are for two different services: the standard Sydney Ferries F1 ride and the Manly Fast Ferry service.
Schedule checked 30 October 2026. Sources: Transport for NSW: Sydney Ferries routes · Sydney.com (Destination NSW): Manly · Manly Fast Ferry
See the Manly Fast Ferry page →
Sydney (Circular Quay) → Taronga Zoo (Mosman)
Operators: Sydney Ferries (F2 Taronga Zoo), Captain Cook Cruises, NRMA Fantasea
Journey time: Taronga Zoo's page says "12 minutes from Circular Quay".
When it runs: Taronga Zoo's page says "Ferries depart every 30 minutes from Circular Quay Wharf 4" and that "Captain Cook Cruises and NRMA Fantasea services available" (read 2026-10-30). It does not say which days or hours this covers.
Taronga's page says the Lower Zoo Entrance is a "3-minute walk from wharf". Captain Cook Cruises lists its own Taronga Zoo service from Circular Quay Wharf 6, so the wharf depends on the operator.
Schedule checked 30 October 2026. Sources: Taronga Zoo Sydney: getting to the zoo · Transport for NSW: Sydney Ferries routes · Captain Cook Cruises: Taronga Zoo ferry
Sydney (Circular Quay) → Watsons Bay
Operators: Sydney Ferries (F9 Watsons Bay), Captain Cook Cruises
Journey time: Sydney.com (Destination NSW) says a ferry from Circular Quay "takes less than 20min".
When it runs: Transport for NSW lists the F9 Watsons Bay line; its timetable page loads by script. Captain Cook Cruises lists commuter services "operating Monday to Friday during peak times, excluding public holidays" plus leisure services on its Harbour Explorer (read 2026-10-30). Neither page gives one all-day frequency.
Schedule checked 30 October 2026. Sources: Transport for NSW: Sydney Ferries routes · Sydney.com (Destination NSW): Watsons Bay · Captain Cook Cruises: Watsons Bay ferry
Sydney (Circular Quay) → Parramatta (Parramatta Wharf, via the Parramatta River)
Operators: Sydney Ferries (F3 Parramatta River)
Journey time: Sydney.com (Destination NSW) says "The scenic trip is about 85 minutes."
When it runs: Transport for NSW lists the F3 Parramatta River line; its timetable page loads by script, and no official page we could read gives a frequency (read 2026-10-30).
Schedule checked 30 October 2026. Sources: Transport for NSW: Sydney Ferries routes · Sydney.com (Destination NSW): Parramatta
Timetables and journey times change by season and operator, and a ticket is not a guaranteed seat. Every card says when we last checked and links the page we read; confirm on the operator's own page before you plan around a departure. We list operators' own pages and do not earn commission on these links.
