The paddle steamer season began on Derby Day each year, the last trip operating on Easter Sunday. The busiest day was Cup Day.

The Sorrento pier was constructed in 1870 mainly for vessels engaged in transporting lime to Melbourne.

By 1886 the regular steamship service was capable of carrying well over 3,000 passengers a day on the paddle steamers Ozone, Hygeia and Weeroona. Over 4,000 trippers were known to arrive on some days. Many would then take the steam or horse-drawn tram to the Ocean Beach.