Searoad Ferries

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Searoad Ferries, operates 2 all weather car and passenger ferries on Melbourne’s spectacular Port Phillip Bay.  Sailing between Sorrento and Queenscliff 365 days a year and carrying more than 800,000 people annually, SEAROAD FERRIES is Australia’s favourite car and passenger ferry.

Operations began with a single vessel in 1987, capable of transporting up to 300 passengers and 30 cars. Just a few thousand visitors and vehicles then travelled each year between Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula and Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula.

The spectacular journey soon boosted the ferry’s popularity, and the 60-metre all-weather MV Queenscliff was introduced in 1994, carrying up to 700 passengers and 70 vehicles. In 2000, the new MV Sorrento doubled capacity and enabled hourly departures from both ports.

The bay crossing is now a ‘must do’ attraction and a highlight of the Victorian coastal travel experience, connecting the Great Ocean Road to the Mornington Peninsula and beyond to Phillip Island.  The 40 minute crossing is a great alternative to the 200km drive around the bay, on toll roads, freeways and in city traffic.

Ferries depart both Queenscliff and Sorrento every hour, on the hour from 7am to 6pm daily. An extra twilight service operates at 7pm from 26 December to 31 January, every day; in February and March on weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sundays) and on Public Holidays as well as the Easter Long Weekend (Friday – Monday).

This family owned tourism business, Peninsula Searoad Transport Ltd, operates without any government funding and employs more than 70 full time and part time staff

EXCELLENT FACILITIES AND ACCESSIBILITY

Searoad Ferries offers excellent facilities and easy boarding for passengers with special needs. Please make sure you identify yourself when collecting your boarding pass at the ticketing windows so that they can assist you.

If they are aware of your needs they can make sure your car is within easy access to the lift, arrange for extra wide space for wheelchair access to vehicles in parking lanes, direct foot passengers to designated waiting areas or provide assistance with foot passenger for boarding.

Accessibility Information

• Wheelchair Access

Both ferries are roll on/roll off. Boarding the ferry is very simple and easy via the car deck. There is a small lip to manoeuvre over where the ramp of the ferry sits on the ground.

• Lift Access

There is a lift on the Car Deck of both ferries which will take you up to the Lounge Deck.

• Foot Passengers

Parking
There is disabled parking at both terminals. Sorrento passengers please note that access to the foot passenger terminal is near the end of the pier.

Boarding
At the Ticket Window please identify that you require assistance. Foot passengers board via the Car Deck which has a lift to the Lounge Deck.

If you require assistance to embark/disembarkation Searoad Ferries has a wheelchair available at both Sorrento and Queenscliff Terminals. Staff will assist passengers to/from the foot passenger ticket office and to/from the ferry lift.

Disembarkation
Take the lift from the Lounge Deck to the car deck and wait at the lift until all cars have disembarked. Once the deck is clear please follow crew instructions for departure or ask for assistance.

• Car Passengers

Boarding
At the ticket window please identify that you require assistance. Ticketing staff will give you directions on where to park in readiness for boarding.

Ferry crew will direct you onboard to ensure you are parked with easy access to the lift and allow extra space for wheelchair access to vehicle where possible (space permitting) if requested.

Disembarkation
Take the lift from the Lounge Deck to the car deck and return to your vehicle. The ferries are drive on/drive off, no turning required. Drive off following the crews directions.

• Onboard Facilities

The Lounge Deck has full length viewing windows and a range of seating areas as well as a onboard cafe, children’s play area and charging stations. It is all one level with access to a small external deck. There are disabled toilet facilities on both ferries.