H2O WATER TAXIS · HANDA OPERA ON SYDNEY HARBOUR
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour — Water Taxi Transfers
27 March – 25 April 2027 · Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point
Avoid road congestion and travel by water taxi from Man O’ War Steps to Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool Wharf for Aida on Sydney Harbour.
Water Taxi Service to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
H2O Water Taxis is delighted to provide a shared water taxi service to and from Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour on performance nights from 27 March to 25 April 2027. Our service connects Man O’ War Steps, beside the Sydney Opera House, with Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool Wharf, a short walk from the performance venue.
The venue opens at 5:00 pm, giving guests time to enjoy the harbour setting and pre-show dining. We recommend arriving early to allow enough time for boarding and walking to your seat.
Opera performance tickets are sold separately by Opera Australia. View Aida performance information and purchase show tickets from Opera Australia →
2027 Water Taxi Tickets
Standard shared water taxi: $20 per person, each way. A return journey is $40 per person. Water taxi fares are separate from admission to Aida.
Tickets can be purchased on the night by cash or card at our Man O’ War Steps boarding station, or after the performance at Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool Wharf. Opera Australia also offers water taxi transfers as an add-on to performance bookings; check its booking instructions.
Arriving after 7:15 pm? The final scheduled shared water taxi departs Man O’ War Steps at 7:15 pm. Please arrive well before departure. This service does not offer an alternative private transfer, and arrival before the 7:30 pm performance lockout cannot be guaranteed.
Your Sydney Harbour Arrival
Board near the Sydney Opera House
Find our boarding station at Man O’ War Steps near the Sydney Opera House. Please allow time to locate the wharf and board.
A short harbour crossing
Enjoy a direct water taxi crossing to Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool Wharf, then walk approximately five minutes to Fleet Steps.
Return after the performance
After the show, return to the same Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool Wharf for the shared water taxi service back to Man O’ War Steps.
Water Taxi Timetable & Last Departure
Scheduled departures from Man O’ War Steps to Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool Wharf:
| Depart Man O’ War Steps | Approximate arrival at Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool |
|---|---|
| 5:00 pm | 5:10 pm |
| 5:30 pm | 5:40 pm |
| 6:00 pm | 6:10 pm |
| Then every 15 minutes or when the boat fills | Subject to boarding and operating conditions |
| 7:15 pm — final scheduled departure | Allow time to walk to the performance |
Important: The last scheduled water taxi departs Man O’ War Steps at 7:15 pm. This is the last departure, not a booking cut-off. Aida begins at 7:30 pm and a performance lockout applies. The water taxi trip typically takes approximately 3–4 minutes, followed by approximately a 5-minute walk to the venue. Please arrive at the wharf well before 7:15 pm.
Return Water Taxis After the Show
After the performance, boarding begins at Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool Wharf for the return trip to Man O’ War Steps. Boats depart approximately every 10–15 minutes or as they reach capacity.
The final return water taxi departs when all waiting guests have boarded, or by approximately 11:00 pm, subject to performance finishing times and operational conditions.
Water taxis do not operate during the performance or interval.
About Aida on Sydney Harbour 2027
Opera Australia brings Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida back to its spectacular outdoor Sydney Harbour stage. Set against the backdrop of the city, the production tells a story of love and divided loyalties in Ancient Egypt, with a giant rotating Nefertiti set piece, a large cast and fireworks at every performance.
Dates: 27 March – 25 April 2027. Venue: Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point. Performance: 7:30 pm, approximately 2 hours 40 minutes including an interval. Performed in Italian with English surtitles.
For official production images, cast updates, performance availability and admission tickets, visit Opera Australia’s Aida page.
Pickup & Drop-Off Locations
Man O’ War Steps — Before the show
Board at Man O’ War Steps near the Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay. View Man O’ War Steps on Google Maps →
Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool Wharf — Opera venue
Disembark at Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool Wharf and follow the pedestrian route to Fleet Steps at Mrs Macquaries Point. This is also the return water taxi boarding point after the performance. View Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool Wharf on Google Maps →
Accessibility: Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool Wharf is not wheelchair accessible. Our vessels are not wheelchair accessible. Please contact us before travelling if you have mobility or accessibility requirements.
Accessibility & Boarding Safety
Our vessels are not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for passengers with significant mobility difficulties. Boarding requires stepping between the wharf and the vessel. Our captain or skipper has final discretion over whether boarding can be undertaken safely, including where a passenger arrives at the wharf but cannot safely board.
Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool has stairs and a lift for access between levels. This does not remove the need to board and disembark from the vessel. Please contact us before travelling if you have mobility or accessibility requirements so we can discuss whether the service is suitable.
Buying Your Water Taxi Tickets
Purchase your water taxi ticket with cash or card on the night at the H2O boarding station in front of Man O’ War Steps. Opera Australia may also offer water taxi tickets as an add-on when you buy your performance tickets.
To purchase admission to Aida, or check whether a water taxi add-on is available, visit Opera Australia’s official booking page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the water taxi fare increased from $15 to $20?
The fare has increased to $20 per person each way due to ongoing operational costs, including maintaining access to the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool wharf facilities, staffing, vessel operations and wharf booking requirements. This helps us continue providing a reliable transport service for Opera guests.
What time is the last scheduled water taxi?
The final scheduled departure from Man O’ War Steps is 7:15 pm. Aida begins at 7:30 pm, when a performance lockout applies. Please arrive early.
What if I arrive after 7:15 pm?
You will have missed the final scheduled shared departure. Arrive at Man O’ War Steps well before 7:15 pm. No alternative private transfer is offered for this service, and arrival before the performance lockout cannot be guaranteed.
Can I buy tickets on the night?
Yes. You can purchase H2O water taxi tickets with cash or card on the night at our boarding station in front of Man O’ War Steps. Opera Australia may also offer water taxi tickets as an add-on when purchasing your performance tickets online. Please check their booking options directly.
Where do I catch the water taxi after the show?
Return to Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool Wharf. Boats run approximately every 10–15 minutes or when full, with the final departure by approximately 11:00 pm.
Are water taxis available during the performance?
The scheduled Opera water taxi service does not operate during the performance or interval.
Is the wharf wheelchair accessible?
Our vessels are not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for people with significant mobility difficulties. Boarding and disembarking require stepping between the wharf and the moving vessel. For everyone’s safety, the captain or skipper has final discretion to refuse boarding if they believe a passenger cannot board or travel safely. Please contact H2O before travelling to discuss any mobility requirements. At Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool, there are stairs and a lift for access between levels, but this does not make the water taxi or its boarding arrangements wheelchair accessible.
What if the weather is poor?
Opera Australia describes Aida as an outdoor, all-weather event. Check Opera Australia’s official event information for performance updates. Water taxi operations remain subject to safe weather and marine conditions.
Travelling to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour?
Our team can help with water taxi boarding information and scheduled Opera transfers.
Call H2O Water Taxis: 0482 720 408 | info@h2otaxis.com.au | Contact H2O →