Off Peak timetable as published by Port Phillip Ferries and read on 15 October 2026. Public holidays use the weekend times; Victorian public holidays are loaded up to the King's Birthday, 14 June 2027. · Representative services only — check the operator for today's full timetable
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Crossing time
~70 min
Operator
Port Phillip Ferries
Map – Portarlington Ferry
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult, one way, Monday to Friday | $25.38 |
| Adult, one way, weekends and public holidays | $29.70 |
| Concession and seniors, one way, Monday to Friday | $23.22 |
| Concession and seniors, one way, weekends and public holidays | $27.00 |
| Child (4 to 16), one way, Monday to Friday | $15.12 |
| Child (4 to 16), one way, weekends and public holidays | $18.90 |
| Family (2 adults and 2 children), one way, Monday to Friday | $71.28 |
| Family (2 adults and 2 children), one way, weekends and public holidays | $84.24 |
| Adult, return, Monday to Friday | $50.76 |
| Adult, return, weekends and public holidays | $59.40 |
| Group of 25 or more, per person one way, Monday to Friday | $22.68 |
| Group of 25 or more, per person one way, weekends and public holidays | $26.46 |
| Infant (0 to 3), seat must be reserved | Free |
Prices are per person, one way, in two bands: Monday to Friday, and weekends and public holidays. Fares are listed per leg and a return is two legs. From 4:00 p.m. on Friday 4 September 2026 the operator adds an 8% temporary fuel levy to standard ticket purchases; PortPlus multi-trip passes are exempt. The operator's Tickets & Times page prints the fares including the levy, and those are the figures below; the route's own page still shows the earlier amounts without the levy ($23.50 adult weekday, $27.50 weekend). This is a private service that is not on the myki network, and bicycles travel at no extra charge (up to 20 a sailing, book a rack). All fares in Australian dollars (AUD).
The Portarlington ferry is the Bellarine Peninsula's direct water link to central Melbourne. Port Phillip Ferries runs a fast catamaran between its terminal at 131 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, and the pier at the foot of Harding Street in Portarlington, and the operator puts the crossing at 70 minutes.
The weekday timetable is shaped like a commute, and the operator markets a Portarlington commuter service with a morning ferry into the city. On Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the boat leaves Portarlington at 7:15 a.m., reaching Docklands at 8:25 a.m., and sails back at 9:30 a.m. and again at 5:40 p.m. There is also a 4:00 p.m. sailing from Portarlington to Docklands. Tuesdays swap the afternoon Portarlington sailing for 11:00 a.m. At weekends there are two trips each way, leaving Portarlington at 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and Docklands at 10:40 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Public holidays follow the weekend pattern and weekend prices.
The operator sells three timetables. Off Peak applies for most of the year, and for this route Peak is the same. Only the High Peak summer timetable differs, running every day at weekend times, and the 2026-27 dates for it were not yet published in mid-October.
Tickets are bought ahead online, at the Melbourne Ferry Terminal during opening hours by card, or through the Portarlington Post Office and Portarlington Grand Hotel. Including the levy, an adult one-way weekday fare is $25.38. Since 4 September 2026 an 8% temporary fuel levy has applied to standard tickets, and PortPlus multi-trip passes are exempt. It is not part of the myki network.
At the Melbourne end the terminal is across the road from Marvel Stadium, a 5 to 10 minute walk from Southern Cross Station and beside free city tram stop D3. In Portarlington there is free parking near the pier. Bicycles are carried at no charge, up to 20 per sailing; book a rack when you buy your ticket.
- 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
Port Phillip Ferries gives 70 minutes between Portarlington and Docklands, which matches its timetable (7:15 a.m. departure, 8:25 a.m. arrival). Boarding opens 20 minutes before departure.
Off Peak, Monday to Friday: 7:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Portarlington (Tuesdays 7:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. instead), and 9:30 a.m. and 5:40 p.m. from Docklands. Weekends and public holidays: 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from Portarlington, 10:40 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. from Docklands.
With the 8% fuel levy included, as the operator's Tickets & Times page prints them, an adult one-way ticket is $25.38 Monday to Friday and $29.70 at weekends and on public holidays. Adult returns are $50.76 and $59.40. Concession is $23.22 or $27, a child aged 4 to 16 pays $15.12 or $18.90, infants are free, and a family of four pays $71.28 or $84.24 one way.
Yes. From 4:00 p.m. on 4 September 2026 the operator applies an 8% temporary fuel levy to standard ticket purchases. PortPlus passes are not charged it. The operator publishes the percentage only, so check the total at checkout.
No. Port Phillip Ferries says it is privately owned and operated and is not linked to the public transport system. The operator says all tickets must be pre-purchased, so buy one before you travel.
Online at portphillipferries.com.au, by credit or debit card at the Melbourne Ferry Terminal until 40 minutes before departure, or through the Portarlington Post Office or Portarlington Grand Hotel (for these the FAQ says 40 minutes before departure and the route page 60, so allow an hour). The operator says all tickets must be bought in advance.
Yes, at no extra charge. The ferry carries 20 bikes a sailing in racks at the rear, so select your bikes when booking. Standard two-wheelers under 25 kg and factory-built e-bikes and e-scooters are accepted; tricycles and oversized or converted bikes are not.
At 131 Harbour Esplanade, opposite Marvel Stadium. The operator describes it as a 5 to 10 minute walk from Southern Cross Station, next to free city tram stop D3.