This trip takes you to Manly from Circular Quay, then bus to Palm Beach. From Palm Beach it’s a ferry across to Ettalong, then bus to Woy Woy and train back to Sydney.
Apart from the ferry from Palm Beach to Ettalong the rest of the trip can be done using your Opal card. The fare from Palm Beach to Ettalong aboard the FantaSea ferry is $5.90 for seniors and concession card holders and $11.80 for the rest of us. These fares are one way. Here’s the link to the fare page
Circular Quay to Manly
This trip can be done almost any time of the day. The only limiting factor is the last ferry leaves Palm Beach for Ettalong at 5:00pm and 6:15pm DLST.
May I suggest departing Circular Quay on the 10:00 am service from Circular Quay to Manly. Here’s the full Manly ferry timetable.
Manly to Palm Beach
Once you arrive at Manly the buses to Palm Beach depart from near Gordon Park just a two-minute walk from the Manly Wharf. Here’s a map.
The bus you’ll need to catch is bus number 199, Manly to Palm Beach. The service runs every 15 minutes (M-F). Here’s the full timetable.
Palm Beach to Ettalong
Alight from the bus at the Palm Beach Wharf, 1151-1153 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach. There are restaurants opposite the wharf and also a fish and chip shop if you’re feeling peckish. Here’s a map of the local area.
Fantasea Palm Beach Ferries has an office just across the road from the bus stop where you can buy your ferry tickets. Here’s the timetable for the Palm Beach to Ettalong ferry service.
Here’s a video that starts at the bus stop nearest the Palm Beach wharf, includes the trip over, a quick look around Ettalong, bus to Woy Woy and train back to Sydney.
Ettalong to Woy Woy
There is a half hourly service from Ettalong to Woy Woy (M-F) during the day. Here’s the timetable for the Ettalong to Gosford via Woy Woy bus service.
Woy Woy to Sydney
There’s a half hourly service from Woy Woy to Central.
Finally, before departure from your home or hotel, call and check with Fantasea that the ferries are running.
Have a fun day!