The ferry crossing between Sorrento and Queenscliff takes approximately 40 – 45 minutes. 

Please click on the purchase ferry tickets button in the top RH corner of the website.  Vehicle ferry tickets pre-purchased online proceed to the car ticket window for scanning and follow directions for boarding.  Foot passenger tickets pre-purchased online can proceed directly to the boarding lounge. 

 

Please arrive at the terminal ticket window 20 minutes (foot passengers) and 40 minutes (for vehicles) prior to the ferry departure time.. 

All ferry tickets have FREE, unlimited changes to your travel dates and times.  If you are running late, no need to call, just arrive at the ferry terminal and your ticket will be valid on the next available ferry.

When you pre-purchase a ferry ticket you can be confident that if your plans change, you have the flexibility to utilise you tickets for 12 months from date of purchase. With all ferry tickets, you get:

FREE, unlimited change to your travel dates at the ticket window, no need to call

Option to convert to an open ticket

Running late? Your ticket will be valid on the next available ferry, no need to call ahead, just arrive at the ticket window

Full cancellation refund outside 48 hours of travel date.

Inside 48 hours ticket can be converted to an open ticket and can be used at anytime within 12 months of purchase date.

Peak travel times vary throughout the year and are generally, but not limited to, all public holidays, Easter, Christmas Day to early January. Always check our fares pages  for the most up to date prices. It is always cheaper to purchase a ferry ticket online, rather than at the ticket window.

The ferries have been purpose built to operate on Port Phillip Bay (which is a sheltered bay, not open sea) and are therefore unaffected by rough weather conditions. At worst a slight rolling motion will be experienced in very rough weather.  Both ferries are fitted with modern navigation equipment so are unaffected by fog.

Yes, the ferries run every day of the year including Christmas Day and all public holidays. Visit the ferry timetable for sailing times.

Drivers are included in the vehicle price and do not receive any further concession discount.  Additional vehicle passengers that hold a valid Australian pensioners card, seniors card, health care card or student card can receive the concession rate. Please note International concession cards are not accepted.

Bicycles are welcome on the ferry.  The rider pays the foot passenger fare and the bike travels for FREE.  Please note all riders and their bicycles must purchase and board the ferry through the car ticket window, from where they will ride onto the ferry.

Maximum height is 4.1 metres. Please note there is limited capacity for high vehicles so it is essential to arrive early for check-in.

Unsure of your vehicle length or height use this free tool to find out (Click Here). Length must include any addons such as bull bars, tow bars, bike racks. Height must include roof racks, pods, items carried on roof. 

Both the MV Sorrento and the MV Queenscliff are equipped with a passenger lift from the car deck to the passenger lounge.   If you are travelling by car please advise the ticketing staff at check-in that you require access to the lift.  Should assistance in boarding be required for foot passengers there is a wheelchair available.   Drop off at the ferry is also available most times of the year, please ask at the car ticket window for this service. For more information please visit our Accessibility Page.

Yes, you have access to your vehicle throughout the crossing.

We prefer contactless payment by credit card or EFTPOS. Searoad Ferries accepts payment by Bankcard, Mastercard, Visa, American Express and China Union Pay (accepted only at the ferry ticket offices, not available for online bookings). Payment by other credit cards or by cheque is not accepted.

Dogs are most welcome on the ferry and travel free of charge. However, the dog must be on a leash and is restricted to the external decks (not permitted in the passenger lounge.). The only exceptions are guide dogs ('seeing eye' dogs and 'hearing' dogs), who must accompany their owners into the passenger areas. Guide dogs in training are also allowed in all areas of the vessel so long as they are wearing their guide dog in training vest.

Both the MV Sorrento and the MV Queenscliff ferries have an onboard Cafe open every sailing. Enjoy a great coffee made by our onboard Barista or a yummy snack. The menu includes a range of salads, sandwiches, toasties, pies, pastries and more, as well as a selection of hot drinks including barista made coffee, tea, chai tea & hot chocolate. A range of regional wine, beers and ciders are also available from 12 noon daily. There are plenty of seating options too, from the comfortable lounge, cafe style tables to casual stool and bench areas, all are strategically placed to take in the views from full length windows.

Car parking is available at both terminals. Parking at the Queenscliff terminal is free, with a maximum stay of 12 hours, and is limited in busy periods. There is street parking outside the terminal.

Parking tickets for the Sorrento Jetty Car Park can be purchased from the PayStay mobile app. There are multiple ways to purchase tickets, download the PayStay mobile app and register , visit paystay.com.au, utilize the new “tap n go”  machine or the touch and go devices. Alternatively call 1300 322 111 – Parking Zone Number 39001000

Please note the car parking at both Sorrento and Queenscliff is not secure and the company does not take responsibility for the cars of passengers left at or near the terminal.

A bus service to Geelong operates from within 400 metres of the Queenscliff Terminal. This connects in Geelong with trains to Melbourne and Warnambool. Visit www.mcharrys.com.au for timetable information. Look for Route 56.

A bus service operates from Sorrento’s main street and travels through the Mornington Peninsula to Frankston where it connects to the suburban train network to Melbourne. There is a bus that connects with some ferry arrivals and departures from Sorrento Pier. For timetable information click here. Look for Route 788.

Taxis can be booked from either terminal. Please let ferry staff know at the time of ticketing that you require a taxi on the other side.

The simple answer is YES.   Many car hire companies exclude some ferry routes in their rental contracts, however, these are usually ferries that service an offshore Island.

As Searoad ferries do not service an island, and are part of the Australian road network, therefore, hire cars are generally allowed to travel.

Double check with your rental car company prior to travel.

Motorcycles are perfectly safe to travel on the ferry. Riders should be aware that varying weather conditions can occur with the possibility of bikes being unstable on their stands. It is advisable that motorcycle riders remain with their bikes during adverse weather conditions. Please note there are no tie downs.

Children must be 12 years of age or older to travel on the ferry unaccompanied. Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Frequent Travellers can save up to 35%* by purchasing a Membership Pass. Membership passes are pre-loaded with a dollar value and can be redeemed for all forms of travel. For more details please visit Searoad Membership

*Savings vary on the type of ticket and membership purchased.

Avalon airport is located 54 kilometres from the Queenscliff Ferry Terminal and is a great arrival point into Victoria. Several rental car companies are located at the airport for quick easy freeway access to Geelong, Bellarine and the Great Ocean Road. There is a shuttle bus/taxi connection to Geelong & the Bellarine (Queenscliff).  

For more information visit www.avalonairport.com.au/

Motorhomes and campervans of any length can travel on the ferry.  It is easy to drive on/drive off, no turning required.