New ferry stop to connect Walsh Bay with Sydney’s arts precinct

W
alsh Bay is set to gain a new ferry service, giving arts audiences, tourists, workers and local residents a direct way to reach one of Sydney’s major cultural precincts.

The Minns Labor Government says the new ferry stop will begin operating early next year from the Walsh Bay Wharf 2 pontoon. It will operate on the F3 Parramatta route during commuter peaks and the F8 Cockatoo Island route during off-peak periods and weekends.

The service will improve public transport access to the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, which is home to nine leading arts organisations, including Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Dance Company, Bangarra Dance Company, Australian Theatre for Young People and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

The F3 service will provide a direct connection between Walsh Bay and Western Sydney via the Parramatta River, while the F8 route will connect the precinct with Circular Quay and the wider eastern harbour ferry network.

Transport for NSW will undertake around six months of work to prepare the existing Walsh Bay Wharf 2 pontoon for regular passenger services. The works will include a power upgrade, lighting, Opal equipment, CCTV, wayfinding, passenger information displays, a Help Point and infrastructure to support vessel operations.

Walsh Bay is expected to be predominantly served by Parramatta River Class ferries on the F3 and First Fleet Class ferries on the F8. Final fleet deployment and route arrangements will be determined following consultation and operational planning.

The new service follows the reactivation of the Pirrama Park ferry stop at Pyrmont in March 2025 and the planned Sydney Fish Markets ferry service next year. A proposed Rozelle Bay stop is expected to be delivered at a later stage as part of the wider Bays West redevelopment.

The government says the ferry connection will complement the Barangaroo Metro station, which is about a 600-metre walk from Sydney Theatre Company, while improving access to the precinct for audiences and its workforce.

Transport and Arts Minister John Graham said the new stop would make it easier for visitors to include Walsh Bay in their Sydney itineraries.

“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,” he said.

Mr Graham also pointed to the concentration of arts organisations in the precinct and said improved transport access could support them as they face economic pressures.

The announcement has been welcomed by local government and arts representatives.

Inner West Council Deputy Mayor Philippa Scott said the ferry would give Inner West residents a new connection to Walsh Bay and its performing arts venues.

Sydney Theatre Company CEO Anne Dunn described the service as an important improvement to access to the arts, saying better public transport could help remove barriers for people wanting to attend performances and cultural events.

The Walsh Bay Alliance also backed the plan, saying improved connections could benefit residents, businesses, visitors and workers while potentially easing road congestion.

The ferry announcement forms part of the NSW Government’s broader efforts to improve access to entertainment and hospitality precincts. The government has also pointed to streamlined approvals, changes to noise complaint rules, the establishment of 11 Special Entertainment Precincts and increased night-time public transport as part of that work.

With the new service scheduled to begin early next year, Walsh Bay will gain another public transport link at a time when Sydney’s arts precinct continues to attract performances, festivals, workers and visitors from across the city.