Prior to 2007, Sydney Ferries and its predecessors operated a ferry service from Circular Quay to Woolwich calling at Balmain East, Balmain, Birchgrove and Greenwich Point with limited services calling at Milsons Point and McMahons Point.

[1][2][3] Cockatoo Island had been served by direct ferries to and from Circular Quay at shift changeover time at Cockatoo Island Dockyard until the latter closed in 1992.

[4] Services from Circular Quay served Cockatoo Island after leaving Greenwich Point and then proceeded to Woolwich where they terminated.

[5] By December 2010, the calling pattern had been altered with ferries from Greenwich Point proceeding to Woolwich and then to Cockatoo Island to terminate.

[6] When Sydney Ferries introduced route codes in October 2013, the Cockatoo island services were grouped with the Parramatta River ferry services as the F3.