$20.00 per adult

  • Return Ferry inclusive of NPWS landing fee
  • OpalPay accepted onboard
  • Free Wi-Fi

Shark Island getaway in the middle of Sydney Harbour

Shark Island, or Boowambillee, is a stunning national park picnic destination with 360-degree views of Sydney Harbour. There is a reason the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race starts here - you can't get a more spectacular spot, right in the middle of Sydney Harbour. National Park fees apply, which are included in your return rocket ferry fare.

Timetables

  • Selected services operate between Taronga Zoo, Circular Quay and Darling Harbour operating daily from 01Apr23
  • Variations to this schedule are noted on the bottom section of each timetable
  • Special timetables may operate on selected dates. Explorer our timetable section for the latest information

See Legend below for variations

Darling Harbour - King St Wharf 1Circular Quay - Wharf 6Taronga ZooShark IslandWatsons BayManly - Wharf 3Watsons BayShark Island Taronga Zoo Circular Quay - Wharf 6Darling Harbour - King St Wharf 1
(Cancelled 9:00am#)9:15am9:30am9:35am9:45am10:00am10:15am10:32am
10:32am10:50am10:55am11:05am11:20am11:35am11:55am
11:55am12:10pm12:25pm12:40pm12:55pm1:10pm1:25pm(Cancelled 1:40pm*)
(Cancelled 2:20pm# )2:35pm2:45pm2:55pm3:10pm3:30pm3:35pm3:50pm
3:50pm4:10pm4:25pm4:40pm4:50pm5:05pm
5:05pm5:35pm5:50pm6:10pm(Cancelled 6:25pm*)
(Cancelled 6:25pm▲)6:40pm▲7:00pm▲7:00pm▲7:20pm▲*


Timetable Commencing 16 April 2024 | Updated 25 June 2024

Hop On Hop Off Weekend Leisure & Tourist Services: Saturday to Sunday and public holidays

Legend: #Pick-up only | *Set down only | ▲ Operates Saturday Nov-Feb

Closed: 25-Dec (Christmas Day), 26-Dec (Boxing Day selected services), 26-Jan (Australia Day)

Special Timetables Operate: 26-Dec (Boxing Day Zoo Express services only), 31-Dec (New Year’s Eve), 01-Jan (New Year’s Day) - to be confirmed

Temporary Cancellation of Darling Harbour Services: Due to maintenance upgrades, Hop On Hop Off services to and from Darling Harbour will be temporarily closed from Saturday 29 June 2024. Completion date to be advised.

See Legend below for variations

Circular Quay - Wharf 6Cremorne PointTaronga ZooShark IslandWatsons BayManly - Wharf 3Watsons BayShark Island Taronga Zoo Cremorne PointCircular Quay - Wharf 6
7:15am#^7:35am^
7:35am^7:42am^8:00am^8:00am^8:20am^
8:20am^8:40am^8:40am^9:00am^
9:05am9:15am9:20am9:30am9:45am10:00am10:20am*
11:00am11:15am11:20am11:30am11:45am12:00pm12:20pm
12:20pm12:35pm12:50pm1:05pm1:20pm1:30pm1:35pm1:50pm
2:15pm2:30pm2:45pm3:00pm3:15pm3:25pm3:30pm3:40pm*
3:45pm#@4:00pm@4:10pm@
4:50pm#5:00pm*
4:10pm^^4:30pm4:40pm4:55pm^^

5:20pm^^

5:20pm^5:40pm^5:40pm^6:00pm^
6:00pm^6:20pm^6:20pm^6:40pm^
6:40pm^7:00pm^7:00pm^7:20pm^*


Timetable Commencing 16 April 2024 | Updated 25 June 2024

  • Hop On Hop Off Midweek Leisure & Tourist Services: Monday to Friday
  • Commuter Services: Monday to Friday excluding public holidays

Legend: #Pick-up only | *Set down only | ^ Commuter Services | ^^ Mixed Commuter, Leisure & Tourist service | ▲ Operates Saturday Nov-Feb

Closed: 25-Dec-24 (Christmas Day), 26-Dec-24 (Boxing Day), 26-Jan-25 (Australia Day)

Special Timetables Operate: 31-Dec (New Year’s Eve), 01-Jan-25 (New Year’s Day) - to be confirmed

Cremorne Point Service @
Does not operate 30 Sep-11 Oct 2024, 11 Dec 2024 - TBA


Map

Location, location!

Shark Island is located just off the exclusive eastern suburbs of Point Piper, Rose Bay and Vaucluse with panoramic views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge to the west and the entrance of Sydney Harbour to the east. The modern island name comes from its shape, not the local marine life. Between 1880 and 1975 the island was used as a recreation reserve, animal quarantine area and a naval storage depot before becoming part of the Sydney Harbour National Park in 1975.

Fares

TypeReturn
Adult$20.00
Child$17.00

One-way and concession fares are unavailable. Visa/MasterCard/Amex & OpalPay accepted. All ferry services are cashless. All prices are per person and subject to change. Reservations essential for groups.

More Information

Shark Island Facilities

  • Amazing 360° views
  • Five picnic shelters with table and bench
  • One gazebo for up to 30 people (cannot be pre-booked - first come, first served basis)
  • Drinking water and toilets
  • Plenty of shady trees, grassy areas and a small beach area
  • There is no shop on the island - all food and drink should be taken with you
  • There are no BBQ facilities
  • Open daily
  • A National Park fee is applicable to all visitors, which is included in the return rocket ferry price
  • Rubbish bins are not provided - please ensure you take all rubbish with you. Penalties may apply for non-compliance
  • Wheelchair access is not available
  • Download Shark Island map

Not permitted on the island

  • Amplified/loud music and/or public address systems
  • Candles or other open flames
  • Confetti, rice, petals or similar
  • Vines and other exotic plant material
  • Roping off areas or signs for events
  • Butterfly releases
  • Pegging or staking items into the ground
  • Depositing ice or iced water on grassed areas
  • Water balloons and paintball equipment
  • Domestic animals
  • Weddings unless pre-booked - a wedding consent fee applies - call NPWS (02) 9253 0888
  • Smoking is not permitted on the island

Please respect other groups and families whilst on the island. Please drink responsibly.

    OpalPay FAQ

    Please note, the below information is correct at the time of publishing and subject to change. Visit OpalPay for the latest information and services.

    What is Opalpay?OpalPay is a convenient way to pay for travel using your Opal card on participating privately operated transport services.
    Where can I use OpalPay?You can now tap to pay with your Opal card on selected private ferry services. Look for 'OpalPay accepted here' signs.
    Why use OpalPay?With OpalPay, you can use your Opal card on a wider range of transport services, allowing you to travel to more places more easily. There is no need to buy individual trip tickets, you can just tap to pay with your Opal card for a more convenient way of paying your fare.
    How much is an OpalPay fare?
    • OpalPay fares are not the same as standard Opal fares.
    • Fares are set by the private transport operators and are non-refundable.
    • Concession fares are only available on selected routes and it's best to check with staff before paying with your Opal card, as you could be charged the full adult fare.
    How do I use OpalPay?
    • To pay for your travel using OpalPay, make sure you have sufficient funds on your Opal card to cover the full price of your fare and simply tap to pay on the operator's payment device. The transaction will be declined if you don't not have enough funds to cover the cost of the trip.
    • If you have set auto top up on your Opal card, this will be activated at the payment device if the amount on the card, plus the auto top up value is enough to cover the transaction. If the two values are not enough, the transaction will be declined and the auto top up will not be processed. You can set auto top up, to up online or at an Opal top up and ticket machine. Check opal.com.au for all the options.
    • Do not tap on an Opal card reader. OpalPay fares are deducted from your Opal card when you tap on, so you won't need to tap off at the end of your trip.
    Which Opal cards are compatible with OpalPay?
    • Reloadable Opal cards (cards that can be 'topped up') are compatible with OpalPay. These include:
      • Adult Opal cards
      • Child/Youth Opal cards
      • Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal cards
      • Concession Opal cards
    • Concession fares are only available on selected routes and you may be charged the full adult fare, even when Gold Senior/Pensioner or Concession Opal cards are used. Check with staff to fin out if concession fares are available or you can check our ferry fares here.
    Will tapping on with OpalPay contribute to my Opal travel benefits?No. Unlike trips made with Opal cards on other public transport services, OpalPay trips do not contribute to Opal travel benefits or discounts.
    Can two people travel together using the same Opal card?No, each customer over the age of four must have their own reloadable Opal card with sufficient balance to travel.
    What if my Opal card is lost or stolen?If your card is registered and it's lost or stolen you can report on opal.com.au. Your existing balance can be protected and you can get it transferred to a new Opal card and sent to you.
    Can a tap be reversed?
    • Yes, reversals can be undertaken in two ways:
      • OpalPay reversals can be made directly on the operator's OpalPay payment device. After you have tapped to pay, staff can reverse the transaction. The private ferry fare must be the last recorded action on your Opal card.
      • If you tap on an Opal card reader by mistake, you may be able to reverse it. If possible, you can go back to the Opal reader. To reverse the tap on, you just present your card a second time to the Opal reader within 30 minutes of the original tap on.
    • Alternatively, please use the nearest Sydney Ferries service, if available.
    Is there a maximum fare with OpalPay?
    • The maximum limits for SeaLink/Captain Cook Cruises private ferries on Sydney Harbour are:
      • $25 per transaction, $30 per day and $200 per week.

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