Bass Strait Freight September and October 2026 monthly calendars (passenger sailings on Tuesdays only); the operator says the passenger service runs only until Oct 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
~480 min
Operator
Bass Strait Freight Pty Ltd
Map – Flinders Island Ferry
Bass Strait Freight does not publish passenger or vehicle fares on its website. Its Services page says to ring the Bridport office on 03 6356 1753 to take a car or camper, and its terms and conditions document covers cargo carriage only. No fare is listed here rather than guess one. Ask the office for the passenger fare and the vehicle rate for your length and weight when you book.
There is no scheduled passenger ferry to Flinders Island in the usual sense. The sea link from Bridport in north-east Tasmania to Lady Barron on Flinders Island is a freight service run by Bass Strait Freight, which carries a small number of passengers on top of its cargo. The operator's own description is that its Matthew Flinders IV carries up to thirty passengers in a lounge forward under the bridge, and that many of them travel with their cars and campers.
Passenger travel is limited to Tuesday sailings. The operator's schedule page says passengers and their vehicles can only book on Tuesdays, and that all schedules are indicative and depend on demand and weather. The monthly calendars for September and October 2026, the last two loaded here, show one round trip a week, with the ship leaving Bridport either on Monday evening or in the early hours of Tuesday, depending on the tide, and leaving Lady Barron later on Tuesday. The printed times put the crossing at eight hours, although the operator's Services page says about seven. The service offers day accommodation only, it is self-catering, and passengers must check in two hours before departure. The operator says the passenger service is weather dependent and asks travellers to allow flexibility, especially in winter.
Fares are the gap. Bass Strait Freight does not print passenger or vehicle prices on its site, and directs anyone taking a car or camper to phone the Bridport office on 03 6356 1753. Its Services page also carries the notice that the passenger service is only available until October 2026, so anyone planning beyond that should confirm first.
The company's own Flinders Island page points visitors to Sharp Airlines flights from Melbourne, Launceston and Hobart, and to Flinders Island Aviation flights between Bridport and the island. Bass Strait Freight also serves Cape Barren Island and Port Welshpool in Victoria for cargo.
- 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
Yes, in a limited way. Bass Strait Freight's vessel Matthew Flinders IV carries up to thirty passengers in a lounge, and the operator says passengers and their vehicles can only book Tuesday sailings. Its Services page adds that the passenger service is only available until October 2026.
The operator's Services page says the service arrives at Lady Barron approximately 7 hours after leaving Bridport, while its monthly calendars print arrivals exactly 8 hours after departure, for example 01:30 to 09:30. Allow for the longer figure and for weather.
It varies with the tide. In the September and October 2026 calendars it leaves either on Monday evening (18:00 or 18:30) or in the early hours of Tuesday (00:00 to 02:00). The October calendar was last read on 28 September 2026, and the operator calls its schedules indicative, so phone before travelling.
Bass Strait Freight does not publish passenger or vehicle fares on its website. Phone the Bridport office on 03 6356 1753 for the current price for a passenger and for your vehicle.
Yes. The operator carries vehicles and its Services page says many passengers travel with cars and campers; to take one, ring the Bridport office on 03 6356 1753. Passengers and their vehicles can only book on the Tuesday sailings.
The operator states only day accommodation is available to passengers and that the service is self-catering, with a passenger lounge under the bridge. It does not list a bar or catering. Check in is required 2 hours before departure.
Schedules depend on demand and weather, and the operator says some flexibility with travel dates is needed, particularly in winter. Its calendars are indicative only, so phone the Bridport office on 03 6356 1753 for clarification before you drive to the wharf.
Bass Strait Freight's own Flinders Island page lists Sharp Airlines flights from Melbourne, Launceston and Hobart, and Flinders Island Aviation flights between Bridport and the island, as alternatives to the ship.