Wednesday to Sunday only: two departures from Mission Beach (8:45am and 12:30pm) and two returns from Dunk Island (10:30am and 3:30pm). The official ferry does not sail on Monday and Tuesday, except in the Queensland school holidays of June and September. Checked on 6 October 2026 on the operator's own site. · Representative services only — check the operator for today's full timetable
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Crossing time
~20 min
Operator
Dunk Island Group
Map – Dunk Island Ferry
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (16+), return, typical guide price | $66.00 |
| Pensioner, return, typical guide price | $51.00 |
| Child (3-15), return, typical guide price | $41.00 |
| Infant, return | Free |
The operator's own guide pages quote typical return fares of $66 for an adult (16 and over), $51 for a pensioner and $41 for a child (3 to 15), with infants free, and warn that prices can vary by season. The exact fare is shown only in the booking engine, which was not opened, so treat these as guide prices and confirm when booking. Online bookings close 12 hours before departure; for later bookings the operator asks you to call Dunk Island Guest Services on 0460 855 111. A free Mission Link shuttle bus to Clump Point is included in the ferry fare. A full refund is offered if extreme weather forces the island to close and the ferry to be cancelled. All fares in Australian dollars (AUD).
Dunk Island's ferry has a new operator. After Cyclone Yasi in 2011 the island had little regular tourism, and the Dunk Island Group, which now runs the island, launched an official ferry on 1 April 2026 alongside a new jetty-side restaurant and beachfront eco tents. It sails from Clump Point, just south of Mission Beach village, to the island jetty. Another operator, QuickCoast, which sold a Dunk Island day return from Mission Beach, says on its own website that it will not return to Mission Beach, citing berthing disagreements with the Cassowary Coast Regional Council over the Clump Point marine facility; the council published its own statement on that facility on 23 October 2025.
The present timetable is small and fixed. The ferry runs Wednesday to Sunday, leaving Mission Beach at 8:45am and 12:30pm and Dunk Island at 10:30am and 3:30pm. It does not run on Monday or Tuesday outside the Queensland school holidays in June and September, when the operator opens seven days; the September run covered 21 September to 4 October 2026. Day visitors normally cross on the first boat and return on the 3:30pm, while overnight guests cross at 12:30pm and leave at 10:30am the next day.
A free shuttle bus run by Mission Link is included in the fare. It picks up at South Mission Beach, Wongaling Beach and the Mission Beach centre at times matched to the 8:45am and 12:30pm sailings, so most people can leave the car at their accommodation. Parking at Clump Point is limited, and the operator suggests Hideaway Holiday Village in Mission Beach for secure overnight parking at $10 a night for eco tent guests.
Book ahead: online bookings close 12 hours before departure and last-minute seats are handled by phone. Pets are not allowed on the island, the restaurant and ferry run Wednesday to Sunday, and the operator advises that swimming without a stinger suit is not recommended from November to May. The island's own pages quote the crossing at about 20 minutes in places and 10 to 15 minutes in others, so allow the longer figure when planning connections.
- 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
Wednesday to Sunday, twice daily. It also runs seven days during the Queensland school holidays in June and September; the latest seven-day run was 21 September to 4 October 2026. Otherwise the official ferry does not sail on Monday and Tuesday.
At 8:45am and 12:30pm, from Clump Point. Return sailings leave Dunk Island at 10:30am and 3:30pm. The 8:45am and 3:30pm pair suits a day trip; the 12:30pm and 10:30am pair suits an overnight stay.
Clump Point Jetty and Boat Ramp, just south of Mission Beach village on the Cassowary Coast. Walk to the northern end of the gangway and look for the Dunk Island catamaran, and check in at least 30 minutes before departure: the operator's booking terms set that deadline and give no refund for a missed transfer.
The operator's guide pages say typical return fares are $66 for an adult (16 and over), $51 for a pensioner and $41 for a child (3 to 15), with infants free. The exact price appears only in the booking system, so confirm when booking.
The operator's FAQ and ferry guide say about 20 minutes. Another page on the same site says 10 to 15 minutes depending on conditions, so plan on 20 minutes at the most.
Yes. A Mission Link shuttle, included in the fare, leaves South Mission Beach at 8:00am and 11:45am, then Wongaling Beach, the Mission Beach centre and Hideaway Holiday Village, matched to the 8:45am and 12:30pm sailings.
Yes, the operator advises booking, especially in school holidays and on weekends. Online bookings close 12 hours before departure; for later bookings call Dunk Island Guest Services on 0460 855 111.
No. The operator says domestic animals are not permitted anywhere on Dunk Island, including beaches and tidal areas.