The UN declared 26 November World Sustainable Transport Day with the idea that “every journey counts towards a greener planet”

Transport touches every part of our lives. Transport gets us to work and home, transport brings raw materials to our factories, it stock to our favourite stores and delivers fresh farm produce to our table.

Our life is supported by transport, so governments should be making our transport options sustainable for our future and it’s citizens should be opting for public transport over the car.

We’ll look at a couple of public transport options – cycle ways and ferry routes around Sydney.

M7 cycleway

Did you know that if you take the M7 to work you can leave the car at home and take your bike instead? Along a deicated cycleway that runs right next to the M7.

Think about a trip free from other cars and traffic lights. A stress-free run to work and back. What a life.  

The M7 cycleway is a 40 km one-way run from Prestons to Glenwood giving you a nearly uninterrupted stretch with more than 60 entry and exit points.

This $60m project attracts thousands of riders over the weekend, so why not try it one day for your commute?

Tempe to Kurnell cycleway 

A 45 kms one way route that starts at Tempe Reserve in the south near the airport, along the Cooks River shared pathway, down towards Brighton-Le-Sands, Sans Souci, along the coast of Botany Bay, over the Captain Cook Bridge, towards Captain Cook Drive and all the way to Kurnell

While you’re there you might was well check out Botany Bay NP to Cape Solander Lookout.

If you don’t want to cycle back you can choose catch the train or metro line back with several places to choose to train it back from.

Take the ferry along these routes in Sydney

If we’re talking ferries, there’s nothing more iconic than the Circular Quay to Manly You get the harbour bridge, the opera house and dock at Manly. Iconic Sydney which many tourists take.

The NSW Government are working to upgrade the Quay to Manly ferries to a zero-emission fleet. Going from paddle steamers in the 1850s, to diesel in the 1980s, to electric, by 2030 this should be up and running, however not everyone is ‘on-board’. The NSW Government are looking at locally-based businesses for the job, after the failure of the Emerald Class ferries back in 2021.  These were built in China and came with several issues since it’s first sail (steering failures, cracked fuel tanks, oil sprays, leaks in the hull, damaged rudders, shattering windows, emergency doors that couldn’t be opened and engine failures).  

Circular Quay to Watsons Bay

Taking you through the boujee areas of Sydney, from Darling Point, Double Bay, Rose Bay and Watsons Bay. You will definately see seaplanes coming and going. 

Did you know Watsons Bay use to be a fishing village? Now it reels in the hip, rich and famous.

Circular Quay to Lane Cove 

Board Captain Cook Cruises, who run the public services on a fast, smooth ferry. It will take you from Sydney Harbour, past Balmain, Woolwich, Hunters Hill and into the Lane Cove River system

Circular Quay to Parramatta

Come onboard the Rivercat catamaran instead of the congested roads that take you between the CBD and Parramatta. Victoria Road? No thanks.

Wouldn’t you rather a one hour cruise, to just sit back,  relax and enjoy the views of Cockatoo Island, Drummoyne, Kissing Point, Meadowbank, Sydney Olympic Park and into the heart of Parramatta’s CBD 

Palm Beach to The Basin

Not really for commuting to work – unless you can work from anywhere – but definitely one for a weekend adventure.

Come along a coastal journey in Sydney’s north on the public service company Fantasea. It takes you from Palm Beach to The Basin in just 20 minutes.

The Basin campground is only accessible by ferry, private boat or on foot