Port of Sydney

Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales and Australia’s largest city. While Sydney Harbour is historically significant, modern international vehicle shipping is handled through dedicated commercial ports located around the Sydney region.

Sydney Ports Overview

There are three main ports associated with Sydney:

• Port Botany
• Port Jackson
• Port Kembla

Each port serves a different purpose, with only certain ports used for vehicle imports.

Port Botany – Container Shipping

Port Botany is Sydney’s primary container port and the main entry point for containerised vehicle shipments arriving from the UK.

• Handles 20ft and 40ft shipping containers
• Two container terminals with multiple deep-water berths
• Purpose-built container handling and storage facilities
• Strong road and rail links into Sydney and wider New South Wales

Port Kembla – Ro-Ro Vehicle Shipping

Port Kembla is located approximately 80 km south of Sydney and is a major industrial port for vehicle movements.

• Handles Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) vehicles
• Dedicated Ro-Ro ramps and vehicle storage areas
• Used for motor vehicle loading, discharge and storage
• Direct connections to major motorway and rail networks

Port Jackson – Sydney Harbour

Port Jackson, commonly known as Sydney Harbour, is one of the world’s most recognisable natural harbours.

• Home to the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Historically used for international shipping
• No longer used for large-scale commercial vehicle imports
• Primarily supports cruise, tourism and harbour traffic

Harbour Geography

Sydney’s ports are formed from drowned river valleys, also known as rias.

• Port Jackson provides deep-water access for large vessels
• The approach channel to Port Botany supports modern container ships

Historical Background

The Sydney port area was originally inhabited by Indigenous Australian tribes before European exploration.

In 1770, Lieutenant James Cook recorded the discovery of Port Jackson, which later became the site of the first European settlement in Australia.

Before 1960, most international shipping to Sydney passed through Port Jackson. Commercial operations have since transitioned to purpose-built ports such as Port Botany and Port Kembla.

Sydney Port Facilities Summary

Port Botany

• Container vessels
• Bulk liquid handling

Port Kembla

• Ro-Ro vehicle handling
• Industrial and automotive cargo

Port Jackson/Sydney Harbour

• Cruise ship terminals
• Harbour and passenger traffic

Shipping Your Car to Sydney

When shipping a car from the UK to Sydney, vehicles are typically shipped either by Roll-on/Roll-off via Port Kembla or by container via Port Botany. Shipping costs vary based on the method used, vehicle size, and shipping schedule. All vehicles entering Australia are subject to strict biosecurity inspection and must be thoroughly cleaned prior to shipment.

For current car shipping costs from the UK to Sydney and detailed customs and biosecurity import requirements, please visit our UK to Australia car shipping pages and Australia car import guide.

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