In 1853, Henry Gilbert Smith chartered the wooden paddle wheeler Brothers to bring people to the Manly area and thus boost the value of the subdivision of his land holdings near the Corso.

The Manly area with its beaches and bays became a popular weekend destination and more ferries were chartered including by a local hotel owner.

Weekends and holidays were even busier than week days, and extra boats and tugs were put into service often as charters, including Goolwa, Breadalbane, Cobra, Royal Alfred, and Manly (I).

To meet the expanding demand, the company commissioned six similar double-ended screw steamers: Binngarra (1905), Burra Bra (1908), Bellubera (1910), Balgowlah (1912), Barrenjoey (1913), and Baragoola (1922).

They were the largest and fastest ferries on the harbour until 1938 when the Company commissioned South Steyne also built in Scotland.

Baragoola and Barrenjoey (later renamed North Head), were retired in 1983 and 1985 respectively upon the introduction of the Freshwater-class ferries which remain in service.

[4] However both operators continued to operate services between Circular Quay and Manly[5] During 2014 Transport for NSW put out a tender for a combined service to commence during 2015 [6] with Bass & Flinders Cruises, SeaLink Travel Group, Sydney Fast Ferries and Transit Systems responding.

[7][8][9] On 13 December 2014, it was announced that Manly Fast Ferries had won back the rights to operate the service, with a new contract which commenced on 1 April 2015.

In 2019, Transport for NSW announced[11] they would be retiring the Freshwater class as early as 2020, and replace them with three new Emerald-class ferries to provide more frequent services.

The three Emerald-class ferries are named Clontarf, Balmoral, and Fairlight as a homage to the suburbs of the northern beaches.

On 9 December 2021, it was announced that Narrabeen would be given new engines and an overhaul amidst rumours about the vessel having been decommissioned or scrapped.

[16] They are powered by two Daihatsu model 8DSMB-32 turbo-charged diesel engines which each develop 2238 kW at 600rpm, and have hand-controllable pitch propellers.

The Emerald-class ferries are a second series of an inner-harbour design fitted with wave piercing hulls to help them cross Sydney Harbour's heads.

[20][21][22] Local bus services depart from stands in front of the wharf to many Northern Beaches Suburbs.