The Cockatoo Island ferry service, officially known as F8 Cockatoo Island, is a commuter ferry service in Sydney, Australia. Part of the Sydney Ferries network, it is operated by Transdev Sydney Ferries and services the Balmain, Greenwich, Woolwich and Cockatoo Island areas of Sydney Harbour.
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 Friendship at Cockatoo Island in August 2017 | ||||||||||||||
| Waterway | Sydney Harbour Parramatta River | |||||||||||||
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| Owner | Transport for NSW | |||||||||||||
| Operator | Transdev Sydney Ferries | |||||||||||||
| Website | Transport for NSW | |||||||||||||
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History
editPrior to 2007, Sydney Ferries and its predecessors operated a ferry service from Circular Quay to Woolwich calling at Balmain East, Balmain, Birchgrove and Greenwich Point with limited services calling at Milsons Point and McMahons Point.[1][2][3] Cockatoo Island had been served by direct ferries to and from Circular Quay at shift changeover time at Cockatoo Island Dockyard until the latter closed in 1992.
In April 2007, Sydney Ferries began operating limited services to Cockatoo Island after the island reopened for tourists.[4] Services from Circular Quay served Cockatoo Island after leaving Greenwich Point and then proceeded to Woolwich where they terminated.[5] By December 2010, the calling pattern had been altered with ferries from Greenwich Point proceeding to Woolwich and then to Cockatoo Island to terminate.[6]
When Sydney Ferries introduced route codes in October 2013, the Cockatoo island services were grouped with the Parramatta River ferry services as the F3.[7][8] On 26 November 2017, the Cockatoo Island service was separated from the Parramatta River service and numbered F8.[9][10]
The service is usually operated by First Fleet class ferries.
Wharves
edit| Name | Waterway | Suburbs served | Connections | Photo of Wharf |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circular Quay | Sydney Cove | Sydney CBD The Rocks |
 | |
| Balmain | Mort Bay | Balmain | None |  |
| Birchgrove | Parramatta River | Birchgrove |  | |
| Greenwich Point | Greenwich |  | ||
| Woolwich | Woolwich |  | ||
| Cockatoo Island | Cockatoo Island |  |
References
edit- ^ Annual Report for year ended 30 June 2005 Sydney Ferries
- ^ Woolwich timetable Sydney Ferries 20 September 2006
- ^ Network Map Sydney Ferries August 2007
- ^ Annual Report for year ended 30 June 2007 Sydney Ferries
- ^ Balmain / Woolwich timetable Sydney Ferries December 2008
- ^ Woolwich / Balmain timetable Sydney Ferries 18 December 2010
- ^ Ferries ahoy as minister pushes the boat out Sydney Morning Herald 22 May 2013
- ^ Anger over ferry wharf closure The Daily Telegraph 8 August 2013
- ^ Timetable changes - We're moving forward Transport for NSW 15 October 2017
- ^ Sydney commuters to benefit from new public transport services from November Sydney Morning Herald 15 October 2017