It was originally closely integrated with an extensive clyde steamer pier as well as serving the coastal resort town.

The railway ran on the seaward side of Shore Street to the terminal, which opened on 1 June 1889.

In the 1980s, the westernmost end of the station was cut back by 18 bays, and in the 1990s, the adjacent timber quay was demolished.

Near the end of September 2006, new plans were announced, following intervention by the transport minister Tavish Scott.

[7] In the interim, the station was renovated, at a predicted cost of £630,000, to provide a new entrance, glass roof and toilets, as well as improved waiting facilities.

David Simpson, route director of Network Rail in Scotland, advised that essential work had to be carried out to make the station more comfortable for the 400,000 passengers using it every year, while work would continue to "explore the longer-term options for the station with our industry partners".

The new station building was officially opened on 1 August 2012 by Alex Neil MSP and Gourock Councillor Chris McEleny, with all works having cost £8m.

[10] As part of a new one-way system completed in 2016, the station approach was reorganised, with new car parking and a promenade along past Kempock Point.

Services originated with the Caledonian Steam Packet Company (CSP) in 1889, it began car ferry services in 1954 using ferries with a car hoist to get vehicles to the tidal height of the pier, starting with MV Arran.

In 2011 Gourock services to Dunoon were made pedestrian only, the linkspan continued to be used for vehicles when ferry traffic was diverted from Wemyss Bar or Ardrossan, due to high winds or maintenance work.