The wharf is the major public transport link of the Barangaroo precinct, situated west of the Sydney central business district.

The third ferry wharf in the history of the Sydney Ferries network to be situated in Darling Harbour, it serves as a replacement for King Street Wharf 3, designed as a long-term solution to a conclusion made by the Walker Report, which called for easing of congestion through a second terminal at Darling Harbour.

[nb 1] In 2007, the Walker Report recommended a new ferry terminal at Darling Harbour be built to ease congestion on the network, especially at Circular Quay.

[nb 2] Thus Darling Harbour wharf, which was a stop on the Parramatta River service, was chosen as a site for a new terminal.

Following proposals put forward by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and reviews by the O'Farrell State Government, major construction and redevelopment at Barangaroo began in 2011.

[13] The accident also sparked attention from local and national media, whom emphasised the "tragic" narrative of the incident; the man being married and fathering a 14-month old son at the time of his death.

[6] Lead architect David Holm stated that the wharf's design was crafted with the "language that is consistent with the suite of Sydney harbour ferry wharves" in mind, describing the "twofold" process of resolving function and identity.

[19] The wharf's location on Barangaroo's Wulugul Walk enables direct access to the Sydney central business district; it also enables a transport interchange link to Wynyard railway station through the Wynyard Walk, an underground pedestrian tunnel purpose-built to allow direct access between the station and Barangaroo.

Bus services:[25] Barangaroo station is located nearby and provides a direct connection to the Hills District and Sydenham on the Metro North West & Bankstown Line.