Magnetic Island Ferry Timetable and Fares (Townsville)

Next departure

LIVE

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SeaLink standard ferry timetable, checked live 22 September 2026

Departures 1–10 / 10

Crossing time

~20 min

Operator

SeaLink North Queensland

Map – Magnetic Island Ferry

Fare type	Price
SeaLink passenger ferry - Adult, one way	$23.00
SeaLink passenger ferry - Adult, return	$44.00
SeaLink passenger ferry - Child (5-14 years), one way	$11.50
SeaLink passenger ferry - Child (5-14 years), return	$22.00
SeaLink passenger ferry - Concession, one way	$11.50
SeaLink passenger ferry - Concession, return	$22.00
SeaLink passenger ferry - Student, one way	$15.00
SeaLink passenger ferry - Student, return	$29.50
SeaLink passenger ferry - Family (2 adults + up to 3 children), return	$95.00
SeaLink temporary fuel surcharge, single trip	$1.00
SeaLink temporary fuel surcharge, return trip	$2.00
Magnetic Island Ferries (vehicle ferry) - standard car, one way, from	$138.00
Magnetic Island Ferries - Magnetic Saver reduced car fare, one way, selected sailings	$103.50
Magnetic Island Ferries - walk-on adult, one way	$18.50
Magnetic Island Ferries - walk-on adult, return	$37.00
Magnetic Island Ferries - walk-on child (4-14) / pensioner / senior, one way	$10.50

Two unrelated companies sell tickets for this crossing, and their fares are not interchangeable. SeaLink North Queensland's passenger catamaran (Breakwater Terminal to Nelly Bay Terminal) charges by ticket type: adult, child, concession, student and family, one-way or return, effective from 1 February 2026. On top of these, SeaLink has applied a temporary fuel surcharge since 1 June 2026 (+$1.00 single trip, +$2.00 return, +$4.00 family, +5% on Frequent Traveller tickets), shown at checkout and not part of the headline fare. This route is NOT a TransLink service, so Queensland's 50-cent flat fare does not apply here. Separately, Magnetic Island Ferries (Ross Street, South Townsville, to Harbour Drive, Nelly Bay Marina) is the only vehicle ferry to the island; its standard car fare starts from $138.00 one way ($276.00 return), automatically discounted by around 25% to about $103.50 one way on selected quieter 'Magnetic Saver' sailings, and by around 35% (about 25% in peak season) for verified Magnetic Island residents. It also carries walk-on passengers at its own, lower fares. Both operators apply peak-season surcharges during Queensland school holidays and public holidays, including 18 September-6 October 2026, which covers today's research date - so live prices checked on this date may already include a peak loading. All fares in Australian dollars (AUD).

Magnetic Island sits just off Townsville in North Queensland, and two entirely separate ferry operators connect it to the mainland - mixing them up is the single most common mistake people make when planning the trip. The main service, and the one most people mean by "the Magnetic Island ferry", is SeaLink North Queensland's passenger-only catamaran. It leaves from the Breakwater Terminal on Sir Leslie Thiess Drive in Townsville and lands 20 minutes later at the Nelly Bay Terminal, with up to 17 return sailings a day, every day of the year. It carries foot passengers, bikes and leashed, muzzled dogs, but no vehicles. A second, unrelated company, Magnetic Island Ferries - trading historically as Fantasea Cruising Magnetic and, before that, Capricorn Barge Company - runs the only vehicle ferry between Townsville and the island. It leaves from a different wharf altogether, Ross Street in South Townsville, several kilometres from the Breakwater Terminal, and lands at Harbour Drive in Nelly Bay Marina, a separate berth from SeaLink's terminal. The crossing takes about 40 minutes, roughly double SeaLink's time, and every vehicle place must be booked online in advance - walk-up vehicle space is not available, though walk-on passengers are welcome on this service too, at their own, lower fares than SeaLink's. SeaLink's standard fares run from $23 one way for an adult, with concession, student, child and family tickets, plus a small temporary fuel surcharge added since June 2026. Magnetic Island Ferries charges vehicles by size, from $138 one way, with an automatic discount on quieter sailings and a further reduction for verified island residents; both operators load peak-season surcharges during Queensland school holidays and public holidays. Neither service is a TransLink route, so Queensland's 50-cent flat fare scheme does not apply to either one.

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

SeaLink runs the main passenger-only catamaran from Townsville's Breakwater Terminal to Nelly Bay (20 minutes, no vehicles). Magnetic Island Ferries is a separate company running the only vehicle ferry, from Ross Street in South Townsville to a different Nelly Bay berth (40 minutes), for cars and walk-on passengers, with vehicle spots requiring advance booking.

SeaLink's standard adult fare is $23.00 one way or $44.00 return, with concession and child fares at $11.50 one way / $22.00 return, students $15.00 / $29.50, and a family return fare of $95.00. A small temporary fuel surcharge (from $1.00 to $4.00) has applied since 1 June 2026.

Not with SeaLink - it's passenger-only. Magnetic Island Ferries is the only vehicle ferry, with standard car fares from $138.00 one way ($276.00 return); vehicle bookings are essential and must be made online in advance.

SeaLink's passenger catamaran takes about 20 minutes. The separate Magnetic Island Ferries vehicle service takes about 40 minutes, roughly double, because it's a slower vessel loading cars.

SeaLink's passenger service leaves from the Breakwater Terminal on Sir Leslie Thiess Drive. The vehicle ferry, Magnetic Island Ferries, leaves from a separate terminal on Ross Street in South Townsville, several kilometres away - check you're heading to the right one.

Yes, on the vehicle ferry: Magnetic Island Ferries gives verified island residents around 35% off standard vehicle fares (about 25% off during peak season), plus a discounted parking rate and a cheaper walk-on MultiPass.

Not for SeaLink's walk-on passenger service - you can buy tickets online or at the terminal before boarding. For Magnetic Island Ferries, vehicle bookings are essential; walk-on passengers on that service are welcome without booking.

SeaLink runs up to 17 return sailings a day on its standard timetable, every day of the year. Magnetic Island Ferries runs a separate, smaller timetable of around 11 return vehicle sailings on weekdays and 6 on weekends.

Magnetic Island Ferry

Map – Magnetic Island Ferry

Frequently asked questions

Nearby crossings