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

She was sold for breaking up in 1952 as part of the fleet rationalisation following the NSW State Government takeover of Sydney Ferries in 1952.

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

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

[5] Kulgoa's hull and deck fittings were built by WM Ford at Berrys Bay, North Sydney.

The engines were triple expansion, inverted, direct acting, surface condensing type with cylinders of 13, 21, and 34 inches respectively, providing 480 indicated horsepower.

[5] Kulgoa's hull was launched in Berry's Bay on 24 September 1904 in front of a crowd of approximately 1,000 people.

[11][12][13] She remained predominantly on the Circular Quay to Milsons Point run until that service's cancellation following the 1932 opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

17 vessels from the fleet were retired from service, including K-class ferries of similar age Koree, Kummulla, Kurraba and Kirribilli.

With the Milsons Point and Lavender Bay routes discontinued following the bridge opening, the large Kulgoa was used on the Mosman run.

In World War II, she carried men to the converted troops ships Queens Mary and Elizabeth that were moored in Athol Bight.

[19] The privately owned assets and operations of the company were taken over by the NSW State Government in 1951 and a fleet rationalisation program was implemented.