Koree was the first Sydney ferry built with the sides of her promenade (upper) deck enclosed, although the ends near the wheelhouses remained open.

Koree was an earlier vessel of a broader type of timber double-ended screw ferry known as the K-class.

Koree followed Sydney Ferries Limited's then emerging tradition of naming their vessels after Australian Aboriginal words starting with "K".

[3] Koree's hull was launched on 23 July 1902 and christened by Miss O'Sullivan, the daughter of the Minister for Works.

Koree was fitted with electric lighting, at the time a relatively new feature for Sydney Ferries, with the 93-light system supplied by Westinghouse.

[1] Communication between the wheelhouses and the engine room was by Chadburn telegraph fitted with turn rods and bevelled brass.

Later moored at Berrys Bay for speeches following the trials, the chairman noted that it was the company's largest and most advance vessel, and the "best boat of her kind in the world".

[1] The largest ferry in the fleet when introduced, Koree was initially used predominantly on the busy cross harbour routes to Milsons Point.

With the introduction of the larger Kaikai in 1907, Koree was transferred to other routes, including McMahon's Point / Lavender Bay and the Mosman service.