The name Kuring-gai is derived from the "Guringai" Aboriginal people who were thought to be the traditional owners of the area immediately north of Sydney.

The subsequent Binngarra-type of vessels were larger versions of Kuring-gai but with wheel houses at the far ends of the upper deck.

In 1905, Kuring-gai overshot the wharf at Circular Quay and became stuck in a hole that the new Binngarra had created when it too crashed four days earlier.

Her capacity of 1,228 passengers became too small for the booming Manly route, particularly in comparison to the larger Binngarra class ferries that had been subsequently introduced.

The wooden superstructure was demolished and in World War II, US forces used her in New Guinea as a storage barge.