Representative sailings only. The operator's own sources disagree: the timetable flyer linked from its home page lists a first Nelson Bay departure at 08:00 and a last Tea Gardens departure at 17:30, while its live booking system priced Wednesday 16 September 2026 at 8:30am and offered only that one one-way departure from Nelson Bay that day. Treat the times below as examples and confirm the day you travel on 0412 682 117 or through the booking system. · Representative services only — check the operator for today's full timetable
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Crossing time
~60 min
Operator
The Original Tea Gardens Ferry
Map – Nelson Bay – Tea Gardens Ferry
Fare type
Price
Adult, one-way
$24.50
Child (4-14), one-way
$14.50
Senior, with valid concession card, one-way
$22.50
Group, 20 plus, one-way (per person)
$19.00
Infant (0-3), one-way
$5.00
Companion/Carer, with valid support card, one-way
$20.00
Fares are per one-way sector; a return trip is booked as two one-way tickets (about $49 return for an adult). Prices below are the operator's advertised one-way fares excluding online payment fees — booking through the operator's FareHarbor checkout adds a processing fee (about $25.84 for an adult one-way at time of research). The operator's own booking-information page mentions a $5 each-way fee for bicycles, which conflicts with a regional tourism listing that states bikes travel free; this could not be resolved, so no bicycle fare is published here. All fares in Australian dollars (AUD).
The Original Tea Gardens Ferry runs the passenger crossing linking Nelson Bay, on the ocean side of Port Stephens, with the riverside village of Tea Gardens on the Myall River. It is a private, family-operated service rather than a government transit route, using heritage timber vessels — principally MV Tea Gardens (built in 1944) and MV Jesse (built in 1955) — that have worked this stretch of water for decades, continuing a passenger run that dates back to 1904. Three sailings leave Nelson Bay's public wharf on Victoria Parade each day, and three leave Tea Gardens' public wharf on Marine Drive, opposite the Tea Gardens Hotel, with the crossing taking about an hour each way through Port Stephens Marine Park.
Because the route crosses open bay water, it is genuinely weather-dependent: the operator checks the full day's forecast each morning and will cancel the entire day's sailings rather than risk stranding passengers if conditions are expected to turn, even if the morning looks calm. A cancelled sailing gets a full refund; short-notice changes are posted on the operator's Facebook page and confirmed by phone, since there is no automated status feed to check. Bookings are handled online through the operator's own FareHarbor checkout or in person at the wharf, and fares are sold per one-way sector — a same-day return means booking (or buying) both legs.
This is a working transport link as much as a scenic ride: locals use it to avoid the long road detour around the bay, while visitors come for the dolphin sightings, commentary from the crew, and lunch at the Tea Gardens Hotel before the return sailing. MV Tea Gardens is the only vessel in the fleet with wheel-on, wheel-off wheelchair access. The same operator also sells separate sunset cruises, riverside lunch cruises and charter experiences departing from both wharves — those are ticketed tours, not this transport service, and run to their own timetable.
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
About one hour each way, whichever direction you travel.
A one-way adult fare is $24.50, children (4-14) are $14.50, seniors with a concession card are $22.50 and infants (0-3) are $5. A same-day return is booked as two one-way tickets, so budget about $49 return per adult. Booking online adds a small payment-processing fee.
Not always. This is an open-water bay crossing, and the operator reviews the forecast each morning and cancels the whole day rather than risk being caught out mid-crossing, even if it looks fine when you check. Cancellations are posted on the operator's Facebook page and by phone on 0412 682 117, and cancelled bookings are fully refunded.
From Nelson Bay's public wharf at 40 Victoria Parade, near the Dolphin Watch Cafe, and from Tea Gardens' public wharf at 93 Marine Drive, opposite the Tea Gardens Hotel.
Booking online is recommended, especially on weekends and school holidays, but tickets can also be bought at the wharf before departure if seats remain. Arrive at least 15 minutes early, as boarding starts 15 minutes before the scheduled departure.
Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome, and pushbikes can travel too (e-bike batteries need to be removed before boarding). Sources differ on whether a bike carriage fee applies, so check with the operator when booking.
Only on MV Tea Gardens, which offers wheel-on, wheel-off access; the other vessels in the fleet do not, so mention your needs when booking to be placed on the right sailing.
It runs most public holidays, but not on Christmas Day, New Year's Day or Good Friday. On Anzac Day only the 11.30am departure from Nelson Bay operates.