Manly ferries

The Manly ferries are of three sorts. The traditional ones, the Freshwater class, Collaroy, Queenscliff and Freshwater, carry something over 800 passengers (I need to check this). They have two decks and are double-ended. To get the best views, go to what was the stern as she same in, because that is the bows going back. For a pleasant and largely wind-free view, go to what was the front-end coming in. These ferries take about 31 minutes, and are much more fun to ride on.

These ferries leave from Number 3 wharf, Circular Quay, and there is no Number 1 wharf. It's historical: smile, say nothing and move on. You will need an Opal Card to catch them.

Best bits: Many items in the overseas tourist bucket list will come in te next half-hour: views of the Sydney Opera House, starboard (right) side as you leave Circular Quay, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, astern. Then the zoo, the beaches, the yachts, the cliffs of sandstone, North Head to starboard.

There are other ferries though, the tinpot catamarans that take 21 minutes, and the fast ferries, which take 20 minutes, and have a bar where wines and beers can be bought

The catamarans.

Often referred to in our house as the tincans, we don't like them. but if we have to use one, you will find us upstairs on the back deck, in two of the six backward-facing seats, which are out of the wind. The catamarans leave from the same wharf in town (No. 3) and pull in on the same side of Manly Wharf, the western side. Time of trip, about 21 minutes.

The Fast ferries.

These leave Sydney from Number 2 wharf. and pull in and depart on the eastern side of Manly Wharf. Note that there is a bar (wine and beer, I think), but you only have twenty minutes to finish up.

I will come back and add more later.

Comments

  1. Wombat6 February 2025 at 19:26

    Double ended screw ferries were invented by Walter Reeks in 1865 Alas there are few examples of his work still extant. Kanangra (a double ended screw ferry) is being restored by the Sydney Heritage fleet (SHF); Boomerang is owned and operated by SHF, and Ena is owned by the Australian National Maritime Museum.

    If you have a museum ticket, Ena is sometimes open for inspection. If you do not, you can still wander down the heritage wharf at the museum, chat to the guides if any are rostered on, and admire the Edwardian lines of Ena.

    ReplyDelete

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