Balmain East ferry wharf

Balmain East
View from Darling Street in July 2015
Location	Darling Street, Balmain East
Coordinates	33°51′25.18″S 151°11′45.29″E / 33.8569944°S 151.1959139°E / -33.8569944; 151.1959139Coordinates: 33°51′25.18″S 151°11′45.29″E / 33.8569944°S 151.1959139°E / -33.8569944; 151.1959139
Owned by	Roads & Maritime Services
Operated by	Harbour City Ferries
Platforms	2
Connections	Bus
Construction
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Status	Unstaffed
History
Opened	1840s
Rebuilt	18 June 2015
Services
Preceding station   Sydney Ferries   Following station Darling Harbour towards Circular Quay F3 Parramatta River Balmain towards Parramatta McMahons Point towards Circular Quay F4 Darling Harbour Darling Harbour Terminus

Balmain East ferry wharf (also known as Darling Street ferry wharf) is located on Sydney Harbour serving the Sydney suburb of Balmain East.

The Balmain East ferry wharf has been operating since the 1840s as Balmain's main wharf. Originally, watermen offered the first services on demand in small rowing skiffs or sailing dinghies. In February 1844 the steamer Waterman commenced the first public ferry service between Balmain and the Australian Gas Light Company wharf at Millers Point. The service was established by Henry Perdriau, the owner of Perdriau Ferries, later Balmain Steam Ferries.

From the beginning of the 20th century, Sydney's electric tram system down Darling Street to the wharf and connected with the ferries. The trampway operated until 1954. As the road next to the wharf had a grade of 1 in 8, a unique counterweight dummy system was installed under the road surface to help push trams up the hill. An underground counterweight system was connected by cable to a cable tram grip dummy on the track on the surface. A tram descending would push the grip dummy ahead of it (which raised the counterweight). On the return journey, the grip dummy would give the tram a helpful push. The mechanism was preserved at the Sydney Tramway Museum when the tramway was removed.

On 14 January 2015, the wharf closed for a rebuild with the existing structure demolished and a new one opened on 18 June 2015.

Balmain East wharf is served by Sydney Ferries Darling Harbour services operating between Darling Harbour and Circular Quay. Services are operated by First Fleet class ferries. Balmain East wharf is also served by weekday and Saturday evening Parramatta River services to Sydney Olympic Park.