Arts fans, tourists, residents and workers will be able to access Walsh Bay by ferry with the Minns Labor Government responding to community demand by introducing a new ferry stop at the harbourside performing arts precinct.
Commencing early next year, the ferry stop at Walsh Bay will form part of the F3 Parramatta route during the commuter peaks and the F8 Cockatoo Island route during off-peak and weekends.
The new ferry stop will boost accessibility to Australia’s premier performing arts hub, home to nine leading arts companies including the Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Dance Company, Bangarra Dance Company, Australian Theatre for Young People, and the Australia Chamber Orchestra.
The ferry will connect Walsh Bay directly with Western Sydney via the Parramatta ferry route and the vast eastern harbour ferry network via Circular Quay.
To enable regular passenger services from the Walsh Bay Wharf 2 pontoon, Transport for NSW will begin works including a power upgrade, lighting, Opal equipment, CCTV, Wayfinding, Passenger Information Display (PID), a Help Point as well as a pivot pile. This will take approximately 6 months.
Walsh Bay would predominantly be served by Parramatta River Class ferries on the F3 and First Fleet Class ferries on the F8. Fleet deployment and route structures will be confirmed following consultation and operational planning.
The decision to activate the Walsh Bay ferry, follows the reactivation of the Pirrama Park stop at Pyrmont in March 2025 and the new Sydney Fish Markets service that will commence next year. This new plan delivers three new ferry stops, with the planned Rozelle Bay stop to be delivered at a later time as part of the broader redevelopment of the Bays West precinct.
Combined with the Barrangaroo Metro stop, approximately 600 metres walk from the Sydney Theatre Company, the new ferry stop will be a major boost for Walsh Bay arts companies, the Sydney Festival in January the significant workforce.
This builds on the Minns Labor Government’s work to boost key entertainment and hospitality precincts through reducing red tape via streamlined approvals, ending single serial noise complainants from shutting down venues, establishing 11 Special Entertainment Precincts and increasing night-time public transport.
Minister for Transport and Minister for the Arts, John Graham said:
“It’s time to match Sydney’s most iconic transport mode with the world’s most picturesque performing arts precinct.
“Riding the ferry to Manly and Taronga Zoo is a bucket list experience for tourists all around the world. Now they can add Walsh Bay to the list.
“Sydney is very fortunate to have such a high concentration of Australia’s best performing arts companies all in one harbourside location. This will give them a much-needed boost as they operate in challenging economic conditions.
“I want to thank the Walsh Bay Ferry Alliance and the local member Alex Greenwich for their advocacy for this ferry stop.”
Inner West Councillor, Phillipa Scott said:
“Residents of the Inner West are great patrons of the performing arts and this ferry service will connect the Inner West to the Walsh Bay precinct in a way that’s never existed.”
“I thank the NSW Government for delivering this service for our community.
“Along with more light rail services on the L1, and new ferry stops at Pirrama Park, Balmain West, the Sydney Fish Market and Bays West, this Walsh Bay service will connect inner west residents with the city via our beautiful waterways”
Anne Dunn, CEO Sydney Theatre Company said:
“The commencement of ferry services to Walsh Bay is a landmark moment for access to the arts in Sydney. This new connection will open the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct to people from across the city, to experience some of Australia’s finest theatre, music and cultural events.
“We have already seen the impact that improved public transport can have through the arrival of the Metro at Barangaroo. Extending Sydney’s ferry network to Walsh Bay will further break down barriers to participation, helping more people discover and enjoy the rich cultural life of this precinct.”
Yasmina Bonnet, Chair of Walsh Bay Alliance said:
“Reconnecting Walsh Bay to Sydney’s broader harbour ferry network and locations across the harbour will be truly transformational for the area.
“A new ferry stop will provide greater connectivity and accessibility for our residents, businesses, visitors and workforce, while also helping to ease road congestion.
“Importantly, arriving by water into Sydney’s vibrant waterfront Arts Precinct will be an exciting and memorable experience for Sydneysiders and visitors alike.”
