Hours from the Transport for NSW vehicle ferries page (updated 23 September 2026), read 15 October 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
~3 min
Operator
Transport for NSW
Map – Speewa Ferry
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Vehicles and passengers | Free |
Free. Transport for NSW describes its vehicle ferries as a free service, and the NSW Government visitor page for Speewa calls the crossing toll-free.
The Speewa ferry crosses the Murray River about 20 km north of Swan Hill, on the unclassified road between Swan Hill and Nyah. One landing is on Speewa Ferry Road in New South Wales, the other on Speewa Punt Road in Victoria, a gap of about 80 metres on OpenStreetMap's coordinates. Transport for NSW lists it among its vehicle ferries with a three minute crossing and room for 3 cars, and charges nothing.
Its timetable sets it apart from the cable ferries of South Australia, which run all night. Transport for NSW's page gives Monday to Thursday 7:00 am to 9:00 pm and Sunday 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, with three breaks in service every day: 10:00 to 10:20 am, 12:40 to 1:00 pm and 6:30 to 7:00 pm. On the second Monday of each month the ferry also stops from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm for maintenance, next on 9 November 2026.
The Friday and Saturday lines are the weak point. The page prints Friday as 7:00 am to 12:00 pm and Saturday as 7:30 am to 12:00 pm, but lists breaks at 12:40 pm and 6:30 pm every day, and a noon finish would leave those with nothing to interrupt. That reads as an error of some kind, but the operator has not said which. Treat Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings as unconfirmed and ring 132 701 before relying on them.
The older NSW Government visitor page, which still names Roads and Maritime Services as the controlling authority, says the ferry started in 1904 and was first worked by hand winch, and that it now runs on a diesel engine. It also says two cars and an 8:00 am to 8:30 pm day, which do not match the current vehicle ferries page, so this page follows the latter.
Transport for NSW closed the ferry from 12 September to 3 November 2023 for servicing, with detours over Swan Hill Bridge or Nyah Bridge adding up to 30 minutes. A later Transport for NSW notice describes the Nyah bridge as a single-lane structure. A Transport for NSW release names the Wymah ferry as the other cable ferry crossing the Murray between NSW and Victoria.
- 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. Transport for NSW lists its vehicle ferries as a free service, and the NSW Government visitor page calls Speewa toll-free.
Monday to Thursday 7:00 am to 9:00 pm and Sunday 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, per Transport for NSW. Friday (7:00 am) and Saturday (7:30 am) are printed as ending at 12:00 pm, which does not fit the afternoon breaks also listed, so confirm those two days on 132 701.
Yes. Transport for NSW lists breaks every day at 10:00 to 10:20 am, 12:40 to 1:00 pm and 6:30 to 7:00 pm. On the second Monday of the month it also stops from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm for maintenance.
Three, according to Transport for NSW, with a crossing time of 3 minutes. An older NSW Government visitor page says two cars; the vehicle ferries page, updated 23 September 2026, is the one followed here.
Transport for NSW's 2023 closure notice gave Swan Hill Bridge or Nyah Bridge, adding up to 30 minutes. Live Traffic NSW (132 701) carries current closures.
On 16 October 2026 the Live Traffic NSW incident and roadwork feeds carried no Speewa entry, and the vehicle ferries page showed no closure notice. Check livetraffic.com or 132 701, because an absent entry is not a guarantee.
It joins New South Wales and Victoria. Transport for NSW operates it from Speewa Ferry Road on the NSW bank to Speewa Punt Road on the Victorian bank, roughly 20 km north of Swan Hill.
The NSW Government visitor page says 1904, with an original hand winch and a diesel engine today. That page is older than the vehicle ferries page, so treat the date as the visitor page's account.