Discover Woy Woy: Ferries, Pelicans and Railway History

Woy Woy brings together waterways, local history and waterfront experiences. A ferry trip takes you through Brisbane Water, while the play area and pelicans at Lions Park become part of the waterfront scene, and the Railway Tunnel tells the story of the town’s railway history. Seafood also plays a part: at Fishermen’s Wharf, you can buy it to take away or prepare at home. This makes it possible to discover Woy Woy from different perspectives — on the water, along the waterfront and through its history.

Seafood and Ferry Trips

Woy Woy Fishermen’s Wharf offers fresh, sustainably sourced seafood to prepare at home or take away, as well as a waterfront restaurant. This gives your stay a concrete culinary dimension: you can plan a meal by the water at the wharf or take seafood away with you. For travellers looking for a self-catering holiday rental, this is a fitting connection to the town. Check the operator’s details in advance for current service information.

A scenic circular cruise from Woy Woy Wharf passes through the waterways of Brisbane Water and Cockle Channel. The trip takes about an hour — a manageable amount of time if you would also like to experience Woy Woy from the water. A Central Coast Ferry also connects the wharf with other places on Brisbane Water. If you are planning a ferry trip, check the latest operating information before travelling.

Waterfront Life at Woy Woy Lions Park

Woy Woy Lions Park is a waterfront reserve with a play area, visited by native pelicans. The play area and pelican visits bring recreation and wildlife together in one place. For planning a trip with children, the play area is a practical point of reference; the pelicans add another touch of nature. The park can be considered as a waterfront outing in its own right, alongside a trip on the water or a visit to the wharf.

Railway Tunnel and Local History

The Woy Woy Railway Tunnel is a railway tunnel with a remarkable history: when it was built, it was the longest tunnel in Australia. Together with the Hawkesbury River Rail Bridge, it was considered one of two major engineering structures on the Short North Line; the bridge was the other. The tunnel is therefore a notable part of the area’s railway history.

The town’s development is also connected with the railway. The rail link helped Woy Woy develop into a fishing and tourist town in the 1890s. The tunnel and the town’s development shed light on two different aspects: the engineering achievement of the railway line and the contribution of the rail link to Woy Woy’s transformation. For travellers interested in history, this adds to the waterfront experiences.

Fishing and Getting Around

Nearby, Woy Woy Bay lies west of the bridge. There, you can fish for flathead, bream and jewfish, and catch prawns at night. The bay adds a distinct option to the range of outings around Brisbane Water: fishing and night-time prawn catching instead of a ferry trip or time in the waterfront reserve.

For getting around by road, Brisbane Water Drive is a useful point of reference. The road runs south from the Pacific Highway at West Gosford, following the shore of Brisbane Water to Woy Woy. Together with the ferry connections, it provides a way to navigate by land and water.

When choosing a holiday rental, you can first consider which side of Woy Woy you want to shape your stay: its waterways, waterfront life, railway history or the option to prepare seafood yourself.

Discover More Destinations

Bateau Bay, Point Clare, Long Jetty, Wamberal, Point Frederick, Gosford, Mandalong, Bonnells Bay

For the broader travel guide: Central Coast.