Tasmania Ferries and Boat Cruises
Ferries and boats in Tasmania
Aside from the Spirit of Tasmania that travels between Geelong and Devonport, the “Apple Isle” boasts several other ferries and boat services to help you explore the state.
Ferries in Hobart
Derwent Ferries offers regular services from Bellerive on Hobart’s Eastern Shore to the Brooke Street Terminal, from where you can easily walk to Salamanca or the CBD. On weekdays, these ferries operate in the morning and afternoon to service workers and on Saturdays, they run regularly throughout the day. Please note that there are currently no ferries on Sundays.
Ferries to Maria Island
A daily passenger-only ferry service operated by Encounter Maria Island connects to Maria Island from Triabunna, which is around 1.5 hours drive from Hobart. The journey across the Mercury Passage to Darlington Bay takes roughly 30 minutes and it’s possible to take bicycles onboard. Timetables are available on their website and tickets can be purchased in advance.
Ferries to Bruny Island
To the south of Hobart lies Bruny Island, which is a popular holiday destination for locals. A car ferry service operated by SeaLink travels from the Bruny D'Entrecasteaux Visitor Information Centre in Kettering to the northern end of the island and takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes.
Ferry timetables can be viewed online and you can either purchase tickets in advance or on arrival at the ferry terminal. Tickets purchased in advance are not for a specific departure time and you’ll need to join the queue once you arrive. Please be aware that the queues can be long during holiday periods.
Ferries in Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park
If you’re visiting Lake St. Clair or trekking the Overland Track, you can take advantage of the Ida Clair. It is the highest altitude ferry service in Australia and runs seven days a week, transporting people to and from Cynthia Bay, Narcissus Bay (at the end of the Overland Track) and Echo Point. The timetable can be viewed online and tickets can be purchased in advance for your preferred service. With only three services a day, it’s recommended that you purchase a ticket in advance if you’re hiking the Overland Track, as there is only space for 22 people onboard.
Boat tours in Freycinet National Park
At the gateway to Freycinet National Park is Coles Bay, which serves as the base for Freycinet Aqua Taxi. It operates a water-based transportation service throughout the park, including one-way and return services to Hazards Beach, Cooks Beach and Schouten Island. It is a convenient way of accessing the park’s hiking trails and secluded stretches of sand.
Ferries to Flinders Island
A cargo ferry service operated by Bass Strait Freight operates between Bridport on Tasmania’s north coast and Lady Barron on Flinders Island, with the journey taking roughly eight hours. It is primarily used to transport stock to and from the island but has the capacity to carry 12 passengers and vehicles during sailings. While there are bench seats and toilets, it’s important to keep in mind that there are limited passenger services onboard the vessel. Schedules and ticket prices can be viewed online.
Tasman Island Cruise. Tasman National Park, Tasman Peninsula. Tourism Tasmania & Kathryn Leahy
Encounter Maria Island. The ferry sails to and from Maria Island multiple times a day departing from Triabunna. Credit Stu Gibson
Cruise the Gordon River with World Heritage Cruises. Credit World Heritage Cruises
Experience the exquisite beauty of Wineglass Bay, without the crowds, on The Wineglass Bay Cruise on the Schouten Passage II. Credit Wineglass Bay Cruises
Mona Roma ferry MR-II. Credit Mona and Stu Gibson
Arcadia II, Pieman River Cruise. Credit Stu Gibson
The "Fatman" barge allows vehicles to travel from north or south across the Pieman River. It is the only cable driven vehicular barge in Tasmania. Entry from the south into Corinna township by barge heralds the arrival into an oasis in the remote wilderness. Credit Places We Go
Gordon River Cruises give you a unique perspective on our natural wilderness and the amazing west coast. The Gordon River is one of our natural wonders and an amazing location for a wilderness cruise. Credit RACT Destinations
Hobart Historic Cruises operates a Derwent River harbour cruise tour, departing from Hobart's waterfront. Credit Julia Smith
Freycinet National Park. Credit Tourism Australia
The ancient, mirror like waters of the Gordon River meander down from their source in the Central Highlands, through a breath-taking World Heritage river cape of temperate rainforest and mountain crag, to the mouth of Macquarie Harbour. The Macquarie Harbour is more than 110 square miles of natural, protected water surrounding the crumbling history of Sarah Island and gives way to the open ocean through the narrow and turbulent Hells Gates. Credit Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett