The Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) is located on the corner of Argyle and George streets, Circular Quay West, The Rocks NSW 2000.
There are a range of options to get to the Overseas Passenger Terminal including by train, bus, ferry, light rail, kiss and ride and ride share or taxi. View Transport for NSW's OPT Travel Access Guide here or plan your journey with any of the below modes of public transport, visit Trip Planner | transportnsw.info
Train
Take the train to Circular Quay, head in the direction of Sydney Harbour Bridge. If you’re coming from Wynyard station, walk north up George Street towards the harbour and you’ll be here in 10 minutes.
Bus
For buses travelling through the CBD along Elizabeth Street, get off the bus at Bridge Street and head north to Circular Quay.
Ferry
Take a ferry to Circular Quay, 450 meters from the OPT
Light rail
The L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford light rail services run between Circular Quay and Randwick and Circular Quay and Kingsford. Both lines travel via George Street, Central Station and along Devonshire Street in Surry Hills up to Moore Park
Drop off
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.
Taxi and ride share
You’ll find taxi ranks on George Street near Playfair Street, on George Street at the Metcalfe Arcade, at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, and Alfred Street at Circular Quay.
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
Circular Quay station is a short 2 minutes’ walk away (450 meters) and direct trains are available to the airport station.
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.
There is no parking at the OPT on cruise ship days or waiting bays for picking up passengers. There is 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.
If you want to check the scheduled ship arrival times, please see the online cruise schedule, however please note: changes to published times can occur. Disembarkation times also vary but usually begin around 30 minutes after arrival.
Pick Up and Drop off
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. To help keep this zone congestion free and to ensure the precinct operates safe and efficiently, we ask that you stop for no more than two minutes. Due to security restrictions, you are not permitted to leave your vehicle and these areas must be only used to collect or drop off passengers.
Taxi and ride share
You’ll find taxi ranks on George Street near Playfair Street, on George Street at the Metcalfe Arcade, at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, and Alfred Street at Circular Quay.
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
Parking
There are no onsite parking facilities at the OPT on cruise days. Paid street parking is available in surrounding streets including The Rocks on Harrington, Cumberland, Argyle, Essex and Gloucester Street.
Check parking signs and follow instructions as parking rates and time limit restrictions vary. There are also a number of secure, conveniently located parking stations in The Rocks:
Wilson Parking, Quay West
Wilson Parking, Clocktower
Wilson Parking, 155 George Street
Parking at OPT on non-cruise days
Public parking is only made available at the OPT on non-cruise ship days, when there are no cruise ships arriving or departing. To find out more about parking at the OPT on non-cruise days please click here to find out more.
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.
The terminal practices safety, health and hygiene processes and procedures as a priority, but masks are not currently mandatory within cruise terminals in NSW.
For any more information regarding COVID safety on cruises, please contact your cruise provider or NSW Health.
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 one is:
Bags can generally be dropped off from around 9am up until about 90 minutes 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
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.
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.
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.
Pick Up and Drop Off
Passenger drop off area is directly outside the cruise terminal. This area is accessible for private pick-ups and drop-offs all day. To help keep this zone congestion free and to ensure the precinct operates safe and efficiently, we ask that you stop for no more than two minutes. Due to security restrictions, you are not permitted to leave your vehicle and these areas must be only used to collect or drop off passengers.
White Bay Cruise Terminal Car Park
There is no long-term vehicle parking at White Bay Cruise Terminal.
The car park is designated for short-stay pick up only. To help keep this zone congestion free and to ensure the precinct operates safe and efficiently, vehicles may be parked for a maximum of 15 mins.
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.
The terminal practices safety, health and hygiene processes and procedures as a priority, but masks are not currently mandatory within cruise terminals in NSW.
For any more information regarding COVID safety on cruises, please contact your cruise provider or NSW Health.
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.
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.
