Daily operating hours, 2026/27 charges effective 1 July 2026 · Services shown by frequency — exact times from the operator. · Representative services only — check the operator for today's full timetable
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Crossing time
~4 min
Operator
Ballina Shire Council
Map – Burns Point Ferry
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Bicycle, one way | $1.50 |
| Motorcycle, one way | $4.00 |
| Car / vehicle under 3 tonne, one way | $8.00 |
| Caravan, one way | $10.00 |
| Box or boat trailer, one way | $8.50 |
| Vehicle over 3 tonne, one way | $19.00 |
| Vehicle over 3 tonne + trailer, one way | $29.00 |
| Agricultural tractor, one way | $180.00 |
| Vehicle over 10 tonne & dog trailer, annual pass (Ballina Shire residents only) | $1,757.00 |
Burns Point Ferry is not free - it is one of several council-run cable ferries on this site, but unlike the free Hawkesbury River crossings it charges a fare. These are Ballina Shire Council's 2026/27 one-way ticket charges, effective from 1 July 2026. The ferry does not accept cash: payment is by card only, and single or weekly tickets can also be bought with EFTPOS from the operator on board. Season, quarterly and weekly passes are available at reduced rates, including a 50 percent pensioner discount on some season tickets. All fares in Australian dollars (AUD).
Burns Point Ferry is Ballina Shire Council's vehicular cable ferry across the Richmond River, linking Burns Point Ferry Road on the West Ballina side with River Drive at Keith Hall on the south bank. It is one of several council-run cable ferries covered on this site, alongside the free Hawkesbury River crossings further south, but Burns Point stands apart from those: it is not free. Ballina Shire Council charges by vehicle type and takes card payment only, with cash not accepted on board.
The ferry exists chiefly for the farming community south of the river. It gives South Ballina, Keith Hall, Empire Vale, Patchs Beach and East Wardell a direct link to West Ballina and the town centre; without it, the council's own advice is that traffic has to detour to the M1 Pacific Motorway at the Coolgardie Road interchange, well upstream. The 300-metre crossing itself takes only about four minutes, guided across by two cables, with the vessel able to carry up to 12 cars and 70 passengers and a safe load limit of 72 tonnes - large enough for the agricultural tractors and heavy vehicles that use it, both of which have their own, higher fare categories.
It runs on demand rather than to a printed timetable, daily from 5:30am to 12:30am except Christmas Day, with vehicles simply queuing at whichever ramp they arrive at. Ballina Shire Council schedules a Wednesday-morning service each week plus periodic multi-hour maintenance windows through the year, on top of a longer annual maintenance closure (the ferry was out of action from 29 August to 10 September 2026 for this year's round), and it can also be shut without notice for breakdowns or when the Richmond River or the weather make the crossing unsafe. Fares are reviewed every 1 July, and the council also sells season, quarterly and weekly passes at a discount for regular users.
- Arrive at the terminal a few minutes before departure; vehicle boarding usually closes earlier.
- Check the operator's service alerts before travelling — weather, tides and river levels affect services.
- Confirm accepted payment methods and whether a booking is required for vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
No. Unlike some other NSW council cable ferries, Burns Point charges a fare: $8 one way for a car under 3 tonnes, $4 for a motorcycle, $1.50 for a bicycle, and higher rates for heavier vehicles, trailers and caravans. Payment is by card only - cash is not accepted on board.
It runs daily from 5:30am to 12:30am, except Christmas Day, when it does not operate. The last daily crossing leaves the South Ballina (Keith Hall) ramp at 12:20am.
About four minutes. The crossing is roughly 300 metres across the Richmond River, and the council suggests allowing about 15 minutes in total once you account for queuing.
Up to 12 cars and 70 passengers per crossing, within a safe load limit of 72 tonnes - enough to also carry agricultural tractors and heavy vehicles, which have their own higher fare categories.
Yes, bicycles are a listed fare category at $1.50 one way, the cheapest fare on the ferry.
It gives South Ballina, Keith Hall, Empire Vale, Patchs Beach and East Wardell direct road access to West Ballina across the Richmond River. Ballina Shire Council says that without the ferry, traffic has to detour to the M1 Pacific Motorway at the Coolgardie Road interchange.
It has an annual maintenance closure of about two weeks (in 2026, 29 August to 10 September), plus scheduled maintenance windows from 9am to 1pm on 13 October, 10 November and 8 December 2026, and a routine Wednesday-morning service each week.
Yes. Ballina Shire Council can close it at short notice for a mechanical breakdown or when poor weather or river conditions make the crossing unsafe. Call 1300 864 444 or check the council's website before travelling if conditions look marginal.