F8 Monday to Friday grid from Transport for NSW's timetable valid from 27 January 2026 (PDF created 27 September 2026); F3 boats also serve the island · Representative services only — check the operator for today's full timetable
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Crossing time
~29 min
Operator
Sydney Ferries
Map – Cockatoo Island Ferry
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult, one way (0-9 km fare band, most likely) | $7.35 |
| Child/Youth 4-15, one way (0-9 km fare band, most likely) | $3.67 |
| Adult Opal daily travel cap, Monday to Thursday | $19.30 |
| Adult Opal daily travel cap, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays | $9.65 |
| Adult Opal weekly travel cap | $50.00 |
| Cockatoo Island admission | Free |
Sydney Ferries charges by distance with Opal, and Circular Quay to Cockatoo Island is a short harbour trip. Transport for NSW's fare tables show two ferry bands, 0-9 km at $7.35 and 9+ km at $9.20 for an adult; the $7.35 band is shown here, but neither table names this pair of wharves, so the Trip Planner gives the definitive charge. A contactless card is billed at the adult Opal rate, and paper Opal single tickets cost more with no Opal benefits. The 30% Friday, weekend and off-peak discount on the fare pages is listed for metro, train, bus and light rail only. Entry to the island itself is free. All fares in Australian dollars (AUD).
Cockatoo Island, in the harbour where the Parramatta River meets Sydney Harbour, is reached by public ferry, and two Sydney Ferries lines stop at its wharf. The Cockatoo Island Trust says the F3 and F8 services call daily from Circular Quay and Barangaroo, with more boats coming down the Parramatta River.
F8 is the dedicated island line. It leaves Circular Quay, calls at Balmain, Birchgrove, Greenwich Point and Woolwich, and reaches Cockatoo Island 29 minutes after departure: the 06:15 arrives at 06:44 and the 07:15 at 07:44. On weekdays it starts at 06:15 and 06:45, runs at :15 and :45 through the morning peak, then hourly at :45 until 16:45, with extra boats in the evening peak and a last island arrival at 23:14. The F3 Parramatta River boats that call at Barangaroo first are quicker, about 21 minutes (for example Circular Quay 09:07, Cockatoo Island 09:28), and add a further sailing roughly every 20 minutes through the middle of the day. That is why this page prints only F8 times and labels them a sample.
Getting on is the same as on any Sydney Ferries service. Tap an Opal card, a contactless card or a linked device at the wharf reader before boarding and tap off at the other end; a paper Opal single ticket is the dearer fallback. The adult fare in the 0-9 km band is $7.35 and the child fare is $3.67, and daily and weekly caps apply across every mode. Landing on the island costs nothing: the Trust lists admission as free.
Once ashore, the visitor centre opens 10am to 4pm daily and the accommodation desk 8:30am to 8pm. There are two licensed cafes, no ATMs (EFTPOS is accepted), and only assistance animals are allowed. The island effectively runs from the first ferry arrival to the last departure, so the timetable sets your day. The published grids carry two traps: the weekday 23:45 F8 from Circular Quay stops at Woolwich and never reaches the island, and on Sundays the F8 grid prints no island departure after 20:19.
- Arrive at the terminal a few minutes before departure; vehicle boarding usually closes earlier.
- Check the operator's service alerts before travelling — weather, tides and river levels affect services.
- Confirm accepted payment methods and whether a booking is required for vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
On the F8 Cockatoo Island line it is 29 minutes, for example 06:15 to 06:44, stopping at Balmain, Birchgrove, Greenwich Point and Woolwich. F3 Parramatta River boats that go via Barangaroo take about 21 minutes.
The adult Opal or contactless ferry fare in the 0-9 km band is $7.35 and the child fare is $3.67. The published table does not name the band for this trip, so the Trip Planner will confirm it. Opal travel caps at $19.30 Monday to Thursday and $9.65 on Friday, weekends and public holidays.
Admission to the island is free, according to the Cockatoo Island Trust. You pay only for the ferry, plus any camping or accommodation you book.
The F8 Cockatoo Island line and the F3 Parramatta River line. The Trust says both call daily from Circular Quay and Barangaroo.
On weekdays the first F8 leaves Circular Quay at 06:15 and the last to reach the island at 22:45 (arriving 23:14); the last boat back leaves the island at 23:19. Saturdays run 06:45 to 22:45 outbound and 07:19 to 23:19 back.
Yes, on a reduced grid. Sundays and public holidays use hourly F8 departures at :45 from 08:45 to 20:45 and returns at :19 from 09:19 to 20:19. The grid prints no island return after 20:19 on those days, so check the Trip Planner for later F3 boats.
Yes. Sydney Ferries accepts contactless credit and debit cards and linked devices, charged at the adult Opal fare, as well as Opal cards and Opal single tickets. Tap on and off at the wharf reader.
No. The Cockatoo Island Trust allows only assistance animals as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.