Mobility aid information

This section gives information for customers with a disability or traveling with a mobility aid.

The entire Sydney Ferries fleet is wheelchair accessible via the 21 wheelchair accessible ferry wharves (pending tidal and safety conditions).

Wheelchair accessible wharves are indicated on the Sydney Ferries network map and are also listed below.

Sydney Ferries aims to give priority boarding to customers with disabilities and their carers.

• If you require priority boarding make yourself know to a staff member on the wharf.
• If you or someone in your group requires assistance on the wharf or to board the ferry, make yourself known to staff near the wide gate entrance.
  
• If your wharf is unstaffed please wait for your service in a safe position – away from the wharf edge and with any mobility aid secure and aligned sideways to rather than facing the water. Crew on board the ferry can then assist you.

Wheelchair accessible wharves

Circular Quay* wharves 2, 3, 4 and 5, Abbotsford, Cabarita, Chiswick, Cremorne Point*, Darling Harbour Terminal, Garden Island, Kissing Point, Manly, Meadowbank, Milsons Point / Luna Park, Mosman Bay, Neutral Bay*, Parramatta, Rydalmere, Sydney Olympic Park, Taronga Zoo and Woolwich.

* Assisted access may be required at low tide. For information about low tides please visit the Bureau of Meteorology tidal website. Gangway and Ramp gradients are tide dependent.

Wharf safety

Whilst all vessels can be accessed by essential mobility aids, there are several older-style wharves with steps that prevent access. Wharves listed as ‘wheelchair accessible’ have level or ramped access suitable for independent access by a person using a manual wheelchair or walking aid. They are also accessible by customers in a motorised wheelchair or scooter, or for customers travelling with help of a friend or carer.

• For your safety, do not attempt to manoeuvre your mobility aid down steps or steep ramps on non‑wheelchair accessible wharves.
• Use the wide gate to enter and exit at larger gated terminals like Circular Quay, Manly and Darling Harbour Terminal.
• Keep clear of the edges of the wharf. Secure your mobility aid so you are side along rather than facing the water and apply the brakes when waiting on the wharf.
• Make yourself known to gate, wharf or vessel staff if you need assistance.

Capacity on Sydney Ferries’ vessels

Masters with a fully loaded ferry are not able to pick up a passenger simply because he or she is using a mobility aid. Where possible, Sydney Ferries will provide an additional vessel to pick up passengers and/ or provide alternative transport advice or arrangements.

Safe boarding and disembarking

Sydney Ferries aims to give priority boarding to customers with disabilities and their carers or those using mobility aids. If you require priority boarding make yourself known to a staff member on the wharf.

• Petrol run scooters (those similar to motorbikes), large ride-on-scooters with a laden weight over 300 kg and all three-wheeled ride-on-scooters are not permitted on the wharf or ferry in any circumstance.
• For safety reasons, Sydney Ferries staff cannot operate mobility aids or lift or carry customers or their mobility aids. If you need assistance of this kind while travelling on the ferry, you will need to travel with a friend or carer.
• The Manly Ferry gangway ramps can carry mobility aids up to 80cm wide and 130cm long, with a combined weight less than 300kg. This includes you, the aid and anyone required to assist you to cross the gangway.
• All other vessels and gangways are designed to carry mobility aids up to 74cm wide and 130cm long, with a combined weight less than 300kg. This includes you, the aid and anyone required to assist you to cross the gangway.
• Your mobility aid should be capable of turning 180 degrees within a space no more that 154cm wide by 207cm long to ensure safe access on wharves, gangways and on board the vessel.
• Your mobility aid should have an effective braking system and be able to withstand the acceleration, deceleration and pitching of the ferry.
• Strollers wider than 74cm will not fit on some gangways (other than the Manly Ferry) and should be collapsed before boarding.
• Where possible, parents and carers should fold larger strollers during the trip and place their child securely on their laps or on a seat beside them. For safety reasons larger strollers should not block aisles or walkways.
• If you are boarding with a walking stick, you should use a free hand to safely hold on to the handrail and watch your footing as you walk over the gangway.