SeaLink Palm Island timetable, September and October 2026 (2 September to 31 October), read 28 September 2026 · Representative services only — check the operator for today's full timetable
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Crossing time
~105 min
Operator
SeaLink North Queensland
Map – Palm Island Ferry
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult, single | $38.60 |
| Adult, return | $76.90 |
| Pensioner, single (Australian card) | $19.30 |
| Pensioner, return (Australian card) | $38.45 |
| Student, single (Australian card) | $19.30 |
| Student, return (Australian card) | $38.45 |
| Child (5-14 years), single | $19.30 |
| Child (5-14 years), return | $38.45 |
| Adult flexi ticket, 10 one-way trips | $311.40 |
| Pensioner, student or child flexi ticket, 10 one-way trips | $155.70 |
| Breakwater Terminal parking, car, per 24 hours | $9.00 |
| Breakwater Terminal parking, motorhome, per 24 hours | $10.00 |
| Breakwater Terminal parking, car with trailer or caravan, per 24 hours | $12.00 |
These are SeaLink's standard fares from its Palm Island fares page, which states 'prices effective from July 13th 2022'; the operator's Palm Island home page still advertises 'fares from $38.60 per adult', matching the adult single below. A valid Australian pensioner or student card must be shown for the reduced fares, and health care cards and international cards are not accepted. Ten-trip flexi tickets are non-refundable and one ticket can be used by two people at the same time. SeaLink introduced a temporary fuel surcharge on its Magnetic Island services from 1 June 2026, but no surcharge is published on the Palm Island fares page. This is not a TransLink service, so Queensland's 50 cent fares do not apply. Parking at Breakwater Terminal is charged per 24 hours. All fares in Australian dollars (AUD).
Palm Island, known to its people as Bwgcolman, is a community of about 4,000 residents in the Palm Island Group, roughly 65 kilometres north of Townsville across open water. The traditional owners are the Manbarra people, and the Bwgcolman community includes people and descendants of people sent to the Palm Island mission from across Queensland. SeaLink North Queensland runs the passenger ferry from Townsville's Breakwater Terminal, taking about 1 hour 45 minutes, and the council confirms SeaLink operates the ferry service.
There is one sailing each way per day and no boat on Tuesdays. SeaLink's fleet for the route is high-speed aluminium passenger catamarans, and the 320-passenger Coolgaree Cat was built for Palm Island with cold-freight storage for the community. In September and October 2026 the usual departure from Townsville is at noon on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, with the boat leaving the island at 2:15 pm. Mondays leave Townsville at 7:30 am and return at 9:30 am, and Fridays leave at noon and return at 3:15 pm. A few dated exceptions exist, such as an 8:00 am departure on 30 September and 2 October. Because it is one boat in each direction and it turns round soon after arriving, a same-day visit leaves little time ashore.
An adult single is $38.60 and a return is $76.90, with pensioner, student and child fares at half price. Ten-trip flexi tickets are aimed at residents and regular travellers. SeaLink asks passengers to arrive 30 minutes before boarding.
SeaLink describes its fleet as passenger catamarans, so vehicles go by a separate service: Palm Island Barge Company runs a separate Monday to Friday vehicle and passenger barge from Lucinda, and Reef Logistics runs freight from Townsville.
The council's cultural awareness page encourages visitors to learn about the community's culture and history, and points to a protocols document that it describes as the minimum expected of visitors. Palm Island is an alcohol-restricted area under the Alcohol Management Plan; SeaLink states the limit per person is 11.25 litres, one carton of low or mid-strength liquor under 4 per cent, with no glass carried aboard. There are no taxis, so visitors need a local to collect them from the jetty or airport.
- 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 says the crossing takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes each way from Townsville. Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council describes it as a one and a half hour ferry ride and puts the island about 65 kilometres north of Townsville over sea.
Six days a week: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with no sailing on Tuesdays. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday leave Townsville at 12:00 and Palm Island at 2:15 pm; Monday is 7:30 am and 9:30 am; Friday is 12:00 and 3:15 pm.
An adult single is $38.60 and an adult return $76.90. Pensioner, student and child singles are $19.30, and their returns $38.45. A ten-trip adult flexi ticket is $311.40. The fares page says prices took effect on 13 July 2022 and no fuel surcharge is listed there.
It departs from SeaLink's Breakwater Terminal on Sir Leslie Thiess Drive in Townsville. SeaLink charges $9 per 24 hours for car parking at the terminal, $10 for a motorhome and $12 for a car with trailer or caravan. Arrive at least 30 minutes before boarding to buy tickets.
Not on SeaLink, which describes its Palm Island fleet as passenger catamarans. Palm Island Barge Company runs a vehicle and passenger barge from Lucinda, Monday to Friday, where drivers travel free with the vehicle and other passengers pay the same fare as walk-ons. Ring 07 4777 8282 to arrange it.
Yes. Palm Island is a restricted area under its Alcohol Management Plan. SeaLink states each person may carry at most 11.25 litres, which is one carton of 30 x 375 ml cans of low or mid-strength liquor, and it must be under 4 per cent alcohol. Glass may not be carried aboard the vessel.
The council's pages on getting to Palm and cultural awareness do not describe a visitor permit for ferry passengers, but they point to a protocols document on respectful visiting. There are no taxis, so arrange for someone local to meet you at the jetty. Council reception is on 07 4770 0200.
Yes. SeaLink publishes it date by date. Wednesday 30 September 2026 and Friday 2 October 2026 leave Townsville at 8:00 am instead of noon. Dates beyond 31 October 2026 were not published on 28 September 2026, so check the SeaLink timetable page.