Operator timetable read 6 October 2026
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Crossing time
~35 min
Operator
Mooloolaba Ferry
Map – Mooloolaba Ferry
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (15+), The Wharf Mooloolaba to La Balsa Park, one way | $12.00 |
| Concession, The Wharf Mooloolaba to La Balsa Park, one way | $10.00 |
| Child (4-14), The Wharf Mooloolaba to La Balsa Park, one way | $6.00 |
| Family of four, The Wharf Mooloolaba to La Balsa Park, one way | $32.00 |
| Adult (15+), The Wharf Mooloolaba to La Balsa Park, return | $18.00 |
| Concession, The Wharf Mooloolaba to La Balsa Park, return | $16.00 |
| Child (4-14), The Wharf Mooloolaba to La Balsa Park, return | $9.00 |
| Family of four, The Wharf Mooloolaba to La Balsa Park, return | $42.00 |
| Adult (15+), Kawana Waters Hotel to The Wharf Mooloolaba, one way | $16.00 |
| Concession, Kawana Waters Hotel to The Wharf Mooloolaba, one way | $14.00 |
| Child (4-14), Kawana Waters Hotel to The Wharf Mooloolaba, one way | $8.00 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children), Kawana Waters Hotel to The Wharf Mooloolaba, one way | $42.00 |
| Adult (15+), all-day jump on jump off return, Kawana Waters Hotel to The Wharf | $28.00 |
| Concession, all-day jump on jump off return | $26.00 |
| Child (4-14), all-day jump on jump off return | $14.00 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children), all-day jump on jump off return | $66.00 |
| Mooloolaba Hop, The Wharf to Mooloolah River Fisheries, return, all passengers | $10.00 |
| Five-day explorer pass (Thursday to Monday), adult | $36.00 |
| Five-day explorer pass (Thursday to Monday), concession | $34.00 |
| Five-day explorer pass (Thursday to Monday), child | $16.00 |
| Five-day explorer pass (Thursday to Monday), family (2 adults + 2 children) | $75.00 |
| All-access pass, 3 months, all passengers | $99.00 |
| All-access pass, 6 months, all passengers | $149.00 |
| All-access pass, 12 months, all passengers | $199.00 |
| Infants (0-3) | Free |
Operator fares as read on 6 October 2026. The operator says tickets can be bought on board, online through its Rezdy booking page or at the Booking Box at Mooloolaba Wharf; its terms and conditions say on board on the day of travel. Tickets are valid for the date of purchase. Infants aged 0 to 3 travel free. Concession is for pensioners, students and carers. The 3, 6 and 12 month all-access passes are sold online and as gift cards. All fares in Australian dollars (AUD).
Mooloolaba Ferry is not a vehicle ferry and does not shuttle between two ramps. It is a passenger boat that runs a loop along the Mooloolah River and the Kawana Waters canal on the Sunshine Coast, calling at five stops: Kawana Waters Hotel, La Balsa Park, Mooloolah River Fisheries, Pier 33 and The Wharf Mooloolaba. A visitor who searches for a Mooloolaba to La Balsa Park crossing is looking at stops 5 and 2 of the operator's route, about 20 minutes apart on its timetable.
The operator publishes one timetable of five loops. The first boat leaves Kawana Waters Hotel at 10:00am and reaches the Wharf at 10:35am; it turns around and leaves the Wharf at 10:45am. The last boat leaves the Wharf at 5:15pm and arrives at Kawana at 5:50pm. The operator says the ferry runs Thursday to Monday, so there is no Tuesday or Wednesday service. Its timetable page opens with a line saying Thursday to Sunday, but the page banner, the explorer pass and the booking calendar all show Monday as well.
Tickets are priced by what you ride rather than by distance. The Wharf to La Balsa Park costs $12 for an adult one way and $18 return. Travelling the whole route is $16 one way, or $28 for an all-day jump-on, jump-off ticket. The operator sells them on board, online through Rezdy or at the Booking Box at Mooloolaba Wharf, and also sells 3, 6 and 12 month all-access passes.
La Balsa Park takes its name from the La Balsa raft, which according to the Sunshine Coast Council's heritage site reached the Mooloolah River on 5 November 1970 after 161 days at sea from Ecuador. The operator's booking page suggests getting off there for the walk to the Point Cartwright lighthouse.
A few practical points come from the operator's terms. Pushbikes, surfboards and beach gear can travel but must be held or stowed, and dogs must be muzzled and restrained. Wheelchairs, prams and walkers under 740 mm wide can board, but tide changes affect the floating docks and gangways, so staff may need to help. If the operator cancels for weather or mechanical trouble, passengers get a refund or a new booking. Arrive 10 minutes early: missed departures are not refunded.
- 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
Thursday to Monday, with no service on Tuesday or Wednesday. The timetable page's opening line says Thursday to Sunday, but the operator's banner, explorer pass and booking calendar include Monday.
The first boat leaves Kawana Waters Hotel at 10:00am and The Wharf Mooloolaba at 10:45am. The last boat leaves the Wharf at 5:15pm and reaches Kawana at 5:50pm. There are five loops a day.
From The Wharf Mooloolaba to La Balsa Park, an adult pays $12 one way or $18 return. The full route from Kawana Waters Hotel is $16 one way, and an all-day jump-on, jump-off ticket is $28. Children (4 to 14) are $6 for the La Balsa Park trip, and infants are free.
End to end it takes 35 minutes on the timetable. The Wharf to La Balsa Park takes about 20 minutes, and La Balsa Park to the Wharf about 18. The operator's booking page describes a full loop as about 45 minutes, which does not match its own timetable.
In order: Kawana Waters Hotel, La Balsa Park, Mooloolah River Fisheries, Pier 33 and The Wharf Mooloolaba. The operator asks passengers to look for Mooloolaba Ferry signs at each pick-up point.
Yes to bikes and surfboards, but they must be held or stowed on board. Dogs are allowed if restrained and wearing a muzzle.
The operator says the ferry is accessible to wheelchairs, prams and walking aids less than 740 mm wide, but tides can change the floating docks and gangways. Staff can help with boarding, and it lists wheelchair ramps at The Wharf stop.
On board, online through the operator's Rezdy booking page, or at the Booking Box at Mooloolaba Wharf. Tickets are valid for the day of purchase. Call 0438 692 104 or email [email protected] for help.