King Street Wharf boat hire in Sydney gives you a Darling Harbour departure point with easy CBD access, multiple parking options, and immediate proximity to the city's best restaurants and bars. Tiger Catamarans runs private charters from King Street Wharf from $550 per hour (4-hour minimum) for up to 43 guests, with BYO food and alcohol, a licensed skipper, and 2 toilets onboard every vessel. A Maritime Fee of approximately $100 applies at King Street Wharf — Rose Bay Wharf remains the only free departure point.
King Street Wharf sits on the eastern edge of Darling Harbour, walking distance from the Sydney CBD and Wynyard Station. It is one of the busiest charter departure points on Sydney Harbour because of its central location. This guide covers parking, transport, Maritime Fees, and what to expect on the day.
Tiger Catamarans operates three private vessels that can depart from King Street Wharf by arrangement. Tiger 3 and Tiger 4 each carry up to 43 guests with large open entertaining decks, while Tigeress is a more intimate vessel for up to 30 guests. All three have 2 toilets onboard, a Bluetooth sound system, eskies for your BYO drinks, and a BBQ — everything you need for a catamaran cruise without stepping into a restaurant first.
Planning a charter from King Street Wharf?
Check vessel availability and lock in your date — CBD charters book out fast.
Where Is King Street Wharf?
King Street Wharf is located at 1–5 Lime Street, Sydney NSW 2000, on the eastern side of Darling Harbour. The wharf complex runs from Wharf 1 through Wharf 9, with private charter vessels typically boarding from Wharf 7 or Wharf 9 depending on availability. The precinct is walking distance from Barangaroo, Wynyard Station (approximately 8 minutes on foot), and the southern end of the Sydney CBD.
If any of your guests need directions, tell them to meet at the King Street Wharf promenade. For common questions about chartering, check our FAQ page and look for the Tiger Catamarans vessel at the assigned berth.
Parking at King Street Wharf
There are two main parking options within a short walk of King Street Wharf:
| Carpark | Address | Walk to Wharf | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secure Parking — Westpac Tower | 261–293 Kent St (basement) | ~2 min via Erskine St | Closest option, open 24/7 |
| Secure Parking — Kent St | 204 Kent St (near Erskine St) | ~3 min | Open daily, closed public holidays |
Weekend parking rates at both carparks are typically lower than weekday CBD rates, but they still fill up quickly on Saturday nights. Arrive 20–30 minutes before your boarding time to allow for parking and the walk to the wharf. If you are departing on a Friday afternoon, consider arriving even earlier — CBD traffic on Kent Street can add 10 minutes to your journey.
Getting to King Street Wharf by Public Transport
If you are not driving, King Street Wharf is well-connected by public transport:
- 🚆 Wynyard Station — 8-minute walk via Erskine Street
- 🚆 Town Hall Station — 12-minute walk via Kent Street
- 🚌 Bus routes — Multiple CBD routes stop on Kent Street
- 🚕 Taxi/rideshare — Drop off at Lime Street entrance
- 🚢 Ferry — Darling Harbour wharf is a 5-minute walk
- 🚶 Light rail — Capitol Square stop is 10 minutes away
How Much Does Boat Hire from King Street Wharf Cost?
Tiger Catamarans charges a flat rate of $550 per hour with a 4-hour minimum, so a private charter from King Street Wharf starts from $2,200. The rate is the same across all three vessels — what changes is the guest capacity and onboard layout. For up to 43 guests on Tiger 3 or Tiger 4, that works out to approximately $51 per person at full capacity.
| Vessel | Max Guests | Hourly Rate | 4hr Charter | Per Person (Full) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger 3 | 43 | $550/hr | $2,200 | ~$51 |
| Tiger 4 | 43 | $550/hr | $2,200 | ~$51 |
| Tigeress | 30 | $550/hr | $2,200 | ~$73 |
The charter fee covers the vessel, licensed skipper and crew, fuel, insurance, Bluetooth sound system, 2 toilets onboard, eskies with ice, BBQ facilities, and all safety equipment. There are no per-person charges and no bar minimums. The only additional cost at King Street Wharf is the Maritime Fee.
The Maritime Fee at King Street Wharf
King Street Wharf is a managed commercial wharf, which means a Maritime Fee applies for private charter departures. The fee is approximately $100 and is in addition to your charter rate. This fee covers wharf access, pontoon maintenance, and waterway management. It is standard across all non-Rose Bay departure points on Sydney Harbour.
Want to skip the Maritime Fee? Rose Bay Wharf is Tiger Catamarans' primary departure point and the only wharf with no Maritime Fee. You can compare all wharf locations to decide which works best for your group. Rose Bay also has free street parking nearby.
Many groups prefer King Street Wharf despite the fee — you finish your charter and walk straight to dinner at the King Street Wharf precinct.
Book your King Street Wharf charter
From $2,200 for up to 43 guests — BYO, skipper included, 2 toilets onboard.
What Is Included in Your King Street Wharf Charter
Every Tiger Catamarans charter from King Street Wharf comes fully equipped. The flat rate covers everything you need on the water:
- ✅ Licensed skipper and experienced crew
- ✅ Private vessel — exclusively for your group
- ✅ BYO food and alcohol — no bar minimums
- ✅ 2 toilets onboard all vessels
- ✅ Bluetooth sound system for your playlist
- ✅ Large eskies stocked with ice
- ✅ BBQ facilities onboard
- ✅ Indoor saloon and outdoor deck areas
- ✅ Life jackets and full safety equipment
- ✅ Fuel and insurance included
- ✅ Custom harbour route — you choose the itinerary
- ✅ Skipper handles all navigation and safety
Pack eskies with your favourite beverages and bring platters or BBQ supplies — the crew handles everything on the water. Prefer not to cook? Tiger Catamarans offers catering packages from grazing boards to full BBQ menus.
How a King Street Wharf Charter Works
Book online via the booking calendar. Choose your vessel and preferred date, then pay a 25% deposit to lock it in. Instant confirmation — no waiting for a quote.
Plan your food and drinks. BYO alcohol and food with no corkage fees, or arrange catering through Tiger Catamarans. Pack everything in eskies — the crew handles storage.
Final payment — 2 weeks before. Your balance is due 2 weeks before your charter date. The booking team sends a reminder so nothing falls through the cracks.
Board at King Street Wharf. Meet your skipper at the assigned berth. Arrive 15 minutes early for a safety briefing and boarding. Maritime Fee applies (~$100).
Cruise Sydney Harbour. Your skipper takes you past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and back to Darling Harbour. Tell them what you want to see — the route is flexible. Popular options include a sightseeing cruise past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Our Catamaran Fleet
Three private vessels, all departing from King Street Wharf by arrangement. Choose based on your group size and preferred onboard layout.
Tiger 3
Vast forward trampolines and open entertaining deck — perfect for groups who want space to move, eat, and socialise on Sydney Harbour.
Tiger 4
Broad deck walk-arounds, enclosed cabin area, and premium lounge spaces. Same capacity as Tiger 3 with a different layout.
Tigeress
Intimate luxury lounge with indoor amenities. Best for smaller groups, couples, and special occasions.
King Street Wharf Boat Hire FAQ
Private catamaran charter from King Street Wharf starts from $550 per hour with a 4-hour minimum ($2,200 total). For up to 43 guests on Tiger 3 or Tiger 4, that is approximately $51 per person at full capacity. A Maritime Fee of approximately $100 applies in addition to the charter rate. The flat rate covers the vessel, skipper, crew, fuel, 2 toilets onboard, sound system, eskies, and all safety equipment.
Yes — the closest carpark is Secure Parking at 261–293 Kent Street (Westpac Tower basement), a 2-minute walk via Erskine Street. There is also a Secure Parking facility at 204 Kent Street near Erskine Street. Both are paid carparks. Arrive 20–30 minutes before boarding to allow time for parking and the walk to the wharf.
Wynyard Station is an 8-minute walk away — exit via George Street and head west along Erskine Street. Town Hall Station is about 12 minutes on foot via Kent Street. Multiple bus routes stop on Kent Street, and taxis or rideshare can drop you directly at the Lime Street entrance. The Darling Harbour ferry wharf is a 5-minute walk.
The Maritime Fee at King Street Wharf is approximately $100 and covers wharf access, pontoon maintenance, and waterway management. It applies to all private charter departures from King Street Wharf. Rose Bay Wharf is the only Tiger Catamarans departure point with no Maritime Fee.
Tiger 3 and Tiger 4 each carry up to 43 guests with large open entertaining decks. Tigeress carries up to 30 guests for a more intimate charter. All three vessels have 2 toilets onboard, indoor and outdoor deck space, and full safety equipment. The charter rate is the same regardless of which vessel you choose.
No — King Street Wharf incurs a Maritime Fee of approximately $100. Rose Bay Wharf is Tiger Catamarans' only free departure point, with free street parking nearby. However, King Street Wharf is walking distance from the CBD, which may save your group on taxi fares if you are staying in the city.
All Tiger Catamarans vessels include 2 toilets onboard, a Bluetooth sound system, large eskies stocked with ice, BBQ facilities, indoor saloon seating, outdoor deck areas, life jackets, and full safety equipment. The charter is fully BYO for food and alcohol with no bar minimums or corkage fees.
Depart from King Street Wharf on your own private catamaran
From $2,200 for up to 43 guests — BYO, skipper included, 2 toilets onboard.
Call 0404 026 678 or book online.