Accessible ferry travel
All Sydney Ferries vessels are accessible to people using essential mobility aids, but several older-style wharves have steps that prevent access.
Planning an accessible trip with the Trip Planner will show you which services are accessible by displaying the wheelchair accessible symbol in your trip plan results.
If travelling with private ferry operators in NSW, check accessibility and other information by contacting the local transport operator.
To plan your accessible trip by ferry, you can also:
- Review the list of accessible wharves and check the Sydney Ferries network map (pdf 161KB).
- Check the Parramatta ferry bus replacement services if travelling between Parramatta and Circular Quay to check if your trip will affected by the low tide.
Wheelchair accessible wharves have level or ramped access that allows independent access by a person using a manual wheelchair or walking aid.
They are also accessible via electric wheelchairs or scooters or if you are travelling with the help of a friend or carer.
Petrol-run scooters are not permitted on wharves or ferries at any time.
Wheelchair accessible wharves
- Circular Quay* wharves 2, 3, 4 and 5,
- Abbotsford
- Balmain
- Balmain East
- Barangaroo
- Cabarita
- Chiswick
- Cockatoo Island
- Cremorne Point*
- Drummoyne
- Garden Island
- Huntleys Point
- Kissing Point
- Manly
- McMahons Point
- Meadowbank
- Milsons Point
- Mosman Bay
- Neutral Bay*
- Parramatta
- Pyrmont Bay
- Rose Bay
- Rydalmere
- Sydney Olympic Park
- Taronga Zoo
- Woolwich
*Low tide wharf access
The accessibility at Circular Quay, Cremorne Point and Neutral Bay changes at low tide.
Assisted access may be required. Gangway and Ramp gradients are tide dependent.
For information about low tides please visit the Bureau of Meteorology tidal website
Some wharves are not accessible when tides are low, as the slope of the gangway ramp becomes too steep for safe boarding and disembarking.
At certain times some ferry services between Parramatta and Rydalmere are replaced by bus services because of natural low tides in the shallow waters of the upper Parramatta River. You can check the most up-to-date Parramatta ferry bus replacement services schedule before you travel.
There are floating wharves at Newcastle and Stockton wharves, making them accessible at all times.
People with disabilities and their carers are given priority boarding by Sydney ferries. Make yourself known to a staff member on the wharf.
The crew will ensure you are safely on board and your mobility aid is securely parked in the designated area before departing.
All ferries have toilet facilities including at least one wheelchair accessible toilet.
If your wharf is unstaffed, please wait for your service in a safe place away from the wharf edge.
Park your mobility aid secured and sideways, rather than facing the water.
The ferry crew will assist you on board.
When catching the ferry, staff and crew can assist with:
- getting on and off the ferry with the gangway
- directing you to the best place on board the ferry to park your mobility aid
- service and trip planning information
- the location of accessible facilities at the wharf and on the ferry.
Staff cannot assist you with:
- the operation of your mobility aid
- the moving of your mobility aid including lifting or carrying it
- your personal care needs.
You need to be able to board the ferry independently, or with the assistance of a friend or carer.