Wheelchair Access for Matilda Vessels
Thank you for considering travelingl with Matilda. In order for us to provide you with an enjoyable day on the harbour please take the time to read the following information. The below applies to Matilda's daily scheduled cruises.
In most cases the wharf structures the vessels operate to are controlled by a range of government and council organisations including NSW Maritime Authority, NSW Dept of Environment and Conservation, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) and a number of local councils.
There are 2 types of wharves on Sydney Harbour:
1) Pontoon Wharves
2) Step Wharves
Pontoon Wharves
Generally, safe wheelchair access is only available at Pontoon wharfs. Pontoon wharves generally allow for wheelchair access as the height of the pontoon generally matches the height of the freeboard of the vessel.
Step Wharves
Step Wharves are fixed arrangement wharves where a set of stairs leads to the water from a landing. Generally these wharves provide extremely difficult access for wheelchairs due to the fact that a wheelchair bound person may have to be lifted up or down up to 10 steps to the position of the gangway. Where vessels are accessing Step Wharves or non pontoon wharves, the company cannot offer assistance to clients to manoeuvre wheelchairs down or up stairs to and from the gangway.
Pontoon Wharves
(Allow access for wheelchairs) | Owner | Step Wharves or
Non Pontoon
(Access very difficult for wheelchairs) | Owner |
| No.6 Jetty Circular Quay | NSW Maritime | Pier 26, Darling Harbour | SHFA |
| Taronga Zoo | Sydney Ferries | Watson's Bay | Sydney Ferries |
 | | Shark Island | NSW DEAC |
| Wheelchair accessable wharves not part of scheduled services | Fort Denison | NSW DEAC |
Man O War
(Opera House) | NSW Maritime | Harbourmasters Steps, Circular Quay | NSW Maritime |
| King St Wharves | SHFA | Commissioners Steps,
Circular Quay | NSW Maritime |
| Aquarium Wharf | SHFA | Jeffrey Street , Kirribilli | NSW Maritime |
| Convention Wharf | SHFA | Harbourside Steps,
Darling Harbour | SHFA |
| Star City Wharf | NSW Maritime | | |
Cruise Accessibility
IMPORTANT
Matilda Cruises reserves the right to amend vessels for all cruises without notice. All wheelchair dependant passengers must reconfirm with our reservations office 24 hours on Phone +61-2-9264 7377 prior to sailing to reconfirm wheelchair accessibility.
Wheelchair Accessible Cruises
| Cruise | Comment for the customer |
| Zoo Express | The Rockets used on this run are wheelchair accessible. Both No.6 Jetty and Taronga Zoo wharves are pontoon wharves and so permit good wheelchair access to guests. |
Wheelchair Limited Access Cruises
The following cruises have limited Wheelchair Access
| Cruise | Comment for the customer |
| Rocket Harbour Explorer | This vessel is wheelchair accessible however the embarkation wharves for this cruise are limited. With the exception of No.6 Jetty Circular Quay and Taronga Zoo, all wharves accessed on this cruise are Step Wharves (see definition above). Therefore if passengers wish to disembark at Darling Harbour, Luna Park, Watson’s Bay or Shark Island they will need to have their own assistants to lift them up the wharf steps and onto land or alternatively be able to climb the stairs themselves. |
Wheelchair Non Accessible Cruises
The following cruises are generally not recommended for wheelchair bound customers due to the difficulty of the boarding process or the accessibility is constrained by the design of the vessel.
| Cruises | Comment for the customer |
City Loop Ferry
(Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Luna Park Ferry Service) | Both Darling Harbour and Circular Quay wharves are Step Wharves (see definition above). Guests will need to have their own assistants to lift them up the wharf steps and onto land or alternatively be able to climb the stairs themselves. The vessel is wheelchair accessible.
|
Shark Island Explorer
and
Shark Island Ferry | Shark Island is a Step Wharf (see definition above). Guests will need to have their own assistants to lift them up the wharf steps and onto the island or alternatively be able to climb the stairs themselves.
The vessel is wheelchair accessible.
|
| Fort Denison Ferry | Fort Denison is a Step Wharf (see definition above). Guests will need to have their own assistants to lift them up the wharf steps and onto the island or alternatively be able to climb the stairs themselves.
The vessel is wheelchair accessible.
|
Sailing Cruises
(Morning & Afternoon Coffee & Highlights, Seafood Lunch and Sunset Cocktail cruises) | The design of our sailing catamarans does not permit entry to wheelchairs as there are several very large steps to negotiate even if the vessel is boarding at a pontoon. If the guest can walk a short distance then entry is possible. Motorised wheelchairs cannot be taken onboard.
|
Above information correct as at 26 February 2007.
