The Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) is located on the corner of Argyle and George streets, Circular Quay West, The Rocks NSW 2000.
Road and rail access from the airport and the city surrounds, including taxis, buses and ferries.
Road
Passenger drop off area is outside the cruise terminal on the lower roadway - Circular Quay West. Access to the lower roadway is via George Street (cross street is Argyle Street). This entrance is accessible for private pick-ups and drop-offs all day.
Please check out the information on current road closures to George Street.
Please note: in the morning the taxi rank for disembarking passengers is on the Level 3 access via Hickson Road (upper level). No private picks-ups or drop-offs are allowed on the Level 3 access.
Rail
Trains to Circular Quay Station and the terminal is only a few minutes’ walk away (450 meters)
Ferries
At Circular Quay, about 450 meters to the terminal.
Taxis
Pick-up/ Drop-off areas are right outside the cruise terminal.
Opal card
Information on the smartcard ticketing system for travel on public transport.
Taxi
The taxi rank is on Level Three.
Coach/ Bus airport transfers
You’ll be directed by ground staff to the dedicated pick up point.
Limousine/ Private car pick up
If you have booked a limousine or private car, then you’ll be met outside the front of the terminal near the palm trees. Make sure you have the contact details of the company and ask them to call you when they arrive.
Rail
Circular Quay station is a short 2 minutes’ walk away (450 meters).
With the limited space available, there is no parking at the OPT or waiting bays for picking up passengers. However, there are plenty of on-street and private parking facilities available in the area (as well as public transport), so please use one of these options and arrange to meet your passenger outside the terminal entrance.
Scheduled ship arrival times can be seen on our online cruise schedule, though changes to published times can occur. Disembarkation times also vary but usually begin around 30 minutes after arrival.
You can check in online.
If you haven’t checked in online then your cruise company should have provided you with a check-in time. Drop off your bags at the bag drop. Be sure to be at the OPT an hour before you are set to depart.
You will have to walk through a metal detector and your belongings will go through the x-ray.
Make sure you take off and place in your carry-on luggage, your mobile phone, laptop computers/ tablets, and other large or small metal objects, coins, etc.
If you have artificial devices, like hip/ knee replacements, pacemakers, etc. let the security people know as you approach.
The security personnel will make the process as easy and as convenient as possible.
The Overseas Passenger Terminal has a dedicated elevated gangway.
Sydney Destination Ambassadors will be able for international arrivals, to provide you any local information you might need. There are many restaurants, pubs, cafes, bars and shopping precincts nearby.
Further afield there is Bondi Beach, Hunter Valley Wine region, and the Blue Mountains, though all of these are a bit too far to walk, unless you have the time of course.
Get a note from your doctor and contact the cruise lines and ask.
Anything prohibited, illegal, or otherwise dangerous. If in doubt contact the cruise line or have a look at the Australian Border Force.
Things you should check with your cruise line before you bring them, just in case it’s not allowed:
- Alcohol
- Other types of non-alcoholic drinks, water, etc.
- Power boards/ extension leads.
- Heating elements, kettles/ irons, etc.
- Knives/ multi tools.
- Fishing equipment.
- Sports equipment
- Drones
There are no onsite parking facilities at the OPT. There are parking options nearby, but none that are cost effective for long-term parking.
If you arrive before the bag drop has opened for your cruise, but still want to use a luggage storage facility, the nearest ones are:
Bags can generally be dropped off around 9am and about an hour before a ship is set to depart.
Please let the cruise company know in advance if you require wheel chair access. They should make arrangements for you to have wheel chair assisted entry and escort through the terminal and boarding.
Family and friends are welcome to share in your excitement and wave you a fond farewell from the publicly accessible area on Level 4, OPT. Unfortunately, they will be not be able to come into the terminal building or on-board.
Just like an airport, you’ll need government issued identification, passport is always best, but if you’re going on a domestic cruise, an Australian driver’s licence, or equivalent is a must.
Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) is available immediately after you clear Customs/ Immigration. Don’t forget to have a printed receipt of your purchase.
White Bay Cruise Terminal (WBCT) is located at James Craig Rd, Rozelle NSW 2039.
Important notice: road access on cruise ship days is only available via The Crescent / James Craig Road and NOT by Robert Street in Balmain. These is also no access to the terminal on Grafton Street
Download this map for directions to White Bay Cruise Terminal.
Road and ferry access is the best options from the city.
Road
To reduce the impact of traffic on our neighbours, public vehicle access to White Bay Cruise Terminal on cruise ship days is only available via The Crescent / James Craig Road and NOT by Robert Street in Balmain.
Instead, enter James Craig Road via The Crescent and follow the signs to the terminal. Please ignore the direct route suggested by your GPS device as you will be denied access at the Robert Sreet gates and asked to return to The Crescent.
Download this map for directions to White Bay Cruise Terminal on cruise ship days.
Pedestrians and cyclists are allowed to reach the terminal via the Robert Street gate on both ship days and non-ship days. These is no access to the terminal on Grafton Street
Taxis
Pick-up/ Drop-off areas are right outside the cruise terminal. On cruise ship days, please advise your driver they can only access WBCT on cruise days by taking James Craig Road via The Crescent and NOT by Robert Street in Balmain.
Ferries
A Captain Cook ferry and park and ride options are available on cruise ship days from the city (King St Wharf, Barangaroo) to White Bay.
Captain Cook ferry
The Captain Cook ferry operates between White Bay Cruise Terminal and King Street Wharf, Barangaroo. On ship days the ferry service operates every 20 minutes. Tickets are $9.00 one way, infants 0 to 3 years of age are free of charge. OpalPay, Credit or Debit cards are accepted.
Tickets can be purchased in the White Bay Cruise terminal or at the ferry wharf.
The ferry is a 12 minute harbour ride to the city with free Wi-Fi on the ferry.
Taxi
The taxi rank is right outside. Ground staff will show you the way.
Coach/ Bus airport transfers
You’ll be directed by ground staff to your pick up point.
Ferries
Captain Cook Ferries runs a service on cruise ship days between King St Wharf, Barangaroo and White Bay.
Limousine/ Private car pick up
If you have booked a limousine or private car, then you’ll be met outside the front of the terminal. Make sure you have the contact details of the company and ask them to call you when they arrive.
Please advise your driver they can only access White Bay Cruise Terminal by taking James Craig Road via The Crescent and NOT by Robert Street in Balmain.
There is no long-term parking at White Bay Cruise Terminal. The car park is for short-stay pick up and drop off only
You can check in online.
If you haven’t checked in online then your cruise company should have provided you with a check-in time. Drop off your bags at the bag drop. Be sure to be at White Bay Cruise Terminal an hour before you are set to depart.
You will have to walk through a metal detector and your belongings will go through the x-ray.
Make sure you take off and place in your carry-on luggage, your mobile phone, laptop computers/ tablets, and other large or small metal objects, coins, etc.
If you have artificial devices, like hip/ knee replacements, pacemakers, etc. let the security people know as you approach.
The security personnel will make the process as easy and as convenient as possible.
White Bay Cruise Terminal has a dedicated elevated gangway.
Sydney Destination Ambassadors will be able for international arrivals, to provide you any local information you might need. There are many restaurants, pubs, cafes, bars and shopping precincts nearby.
Get a note from your doctor and contact the cruise lines and ask.
Anything prohibited, illegal, or otherwise dangerous. If in doubt contact the cruise line or have a look at the Australian Border Force.
Things you should check with your cruise line before you bring them, just in case it’s not allowed:
- Alcohol
- Other types of non-alcoholic drinks, water, etc.
- Power boards/ extension leads.
- Heating elements, kettles/ irons, etc.
- Knives/ multi tools.
- Fishing equipment.
- Sports equipment
- Drones
There are no long-term parking options at or near White Bay Cruise Terminal. We have short-term pick-up and drop off access only.
There are no luggage storage facilities at or near White Bay Cruise Terminal.
Make sure you know what time your cruise line intends to open bag drop, usually around 09:00 through the day until an hour before the ship is set to depart.
Please let the cruise company know in advance if you require wheel chair access. They should make arrangements for you to have wheel chair assisted entry and escort through the terminal and boarding
Family and friends are welcome to share in your excitement and wave farewell from the arrivals area of White Bay Cruise Terminal or the patio area of the café. Unfortunately, they will be not be able to come past the check-in area of the terminal building or on-board.
Just like an airport, you’ll need government issued identification, passport is always best, but if you’re going on a domestic cruise, an Australian driver’s licence, or equivalent is a must.
Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) is available immediately after you clear Customs/ Immigration. Don’t forget to have a printed receipt of your purchase.
