Thursday 2 August 2012

Sydney Ferries 1 - Manly


There are a number of privately owned ferry companies that ply Sydney Harbour. However, the iconic ferries, the green'n'golds, are part of the state owned public transport system. Still owned by the state, just last month their operations were contracted our to a private consortium. There will be changes, but in the future, and small, and dare I say, sneaky.


There are 8 routes that Sydney Ferries ply: Darling Harbour, Parramatta River, Woolwich, Neutral Bay, Mosman, Eastern Suburbs, Manly, and Taronga Zoo. Each of these routes has a number of wharves at which the ferry stops, making it an excellent way to see our city.

The Manly route takes about 30 minutes and is serviced by four ferries: the 'Freshwater', the 'Queenscliff', the 'Narrabeen', and the 'Collaroy'. It is one of the few non-stop routes; your journey starts at Circular Quay, and the ferry does not stop until it docks at Manly wharf.


The views on the journey are to die for. I have cranked up the contrast and the saturation in some of these, but my head was seeing the landscape this vividly. The swell can get a bit 'whoofy' as you cross the open water between the Heads, but the views are more than mere consolation.

This is the first of my posts about Sydney's ferry network. By the end of 2012, I will have journeyed all eight routes.

15 comments:

Dina said...

I LOVED riding the ferries. Glad you natives feel the same way about them. "To die for," yes indeed.

hamilton said...

travelling by ferry sounds a wonderful way to use the water to its best advantage. how I long for the old days of ferry travel on Lake Ontario between the waterfront cities. (I am far too young to remember that era except as legend!)

Davine said...

Beautiful shots - I agree the views are wonderful - whenever I get up to Sydney from Melbourne I always make sure I have a ferry ride to somewhere.

Rose ~ from Oz said...

These were just wonderful shots Julie, I can see I am just going to have to get down for a long week-end!

Jim said...

It's been a while since I've been on one. Great post.

Jim said...

It's been a while since I've been on one. Great post.

Carole M. said...

reminder of my last journey to and fro the Quay to Manly and yes, 'the heads' does give you value for money!! I'm not such a thrill-seeker, but where else can you go once you're halfway across?

Jo said...

yes you win and snap! how funny... great photos too, and I couldn't tell you the last time I was on a ferry.

Joe said...

The ferries are such an icon of Sydney. I hope there are not too many changes.

freefalling said...

I HATE whoofy swell.

Unknown said...

I am looking forward to these photos!

Janet said...

I love the view of the city from the ferry. Fantastic!

Elle said...

That was indeed really cool explaining all the ferry routes. Great page.

Sea Temple Port Douglas

PerthDailyPhoto said...

We've taken that ferry to Manly each time we come to Sydney Julie, mainly for those views that you've shown so beautifully here, could you possibly get a better cityscape from out at sea, I don't think so.

raf said...

This is great, Julie. Thanks for including the legend too. I hope to not miss any of those rides with you.