Australia · Bay heads, river islands and the big blue run to Tasmania
Victoria ferry routes & schedules
Victoria's ferries range from a tiny river-island chain-boat to the great overnight ship across Bass Strait. Between them sit the workaday bay crossings of Port Phillip and the Gippsland Lakes, each doing a very different job for very different travellers.
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About
Ferry travel in Victoria
Bass Strait and the bay heads
The headline is Geelong to Devonport — the overnight Spirit of Tasmania voyage across Bass Strait, the main sea link between the mainland and Tasmania for cars, caravans and foot passengers. Closer to home, Searoad Ferries shuttles across the mouth of Port Phillip Bay between Queenscliff and Sorrento, saving a long drive around the bay.
See how these connect on Australia's ferry network, and book vehicle space early on the Tasmania run in summer.
The little Gippsland crossing
Out east on the Gippsland Lakes, the Raymond Island Ferry makes the short hop between Paynesville and Raymond Island — a brief, frequent crossing that is the island community's daily connection to the mainland.
Frequencies and reservation rules differ sharply across these routes, from the punctual bay shuttle to the once-daily Bass Strait sailings, so check each operator's timetable for your leg.
Quays
Ferry quays in Victoria
5 quays with published connections. Open a quay for every route that calls there.
At a glance
Which Victoria crossings run most often?
The busiest published crossings, ranked by number of listed sailings.
| Route | Crossing | Sailings | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paynesville → Raymond Island | 4m | — | 1 |
| Raymond Island → Paynesville | 4m | — | 1 |
| Queenscliff → Sorrento | 40m | — | 1 |
| Sorrento → Queenscliff | 40m | — | 1 |
| Geelong → Devonport | 10h | — | 1 |
Timetables
Ferry routes in Victoria
5 routes departing Victoria.
Geelong1 route
Paynesville1 route
Queenscliff1 route
Raymond Island1 route
Sorrento1 route
Operators
Who runs the ferries in Victoria?
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I take a car to Tasmania from Victoria?
The Spirit of Tasmania sails from Geelong to Devonport across Bass Strait, carrying cars, caravans and passengers. Book vehicle space well ahead, especially in summer.
What is the Queenscliff to Sorrento ferry for?
Searoad Ferries links the two heads of Port Phillip Bay, letting drivers skip the long loop around Melbourne between the Bellarine and Mornington peninsulas.
Is the Raymond Island ferry frequent?
Yes — the short Paynesville to Raymond Island crossing runs regularly as the island's everyday link to the mainland.
How many ferry routes are there in Victoria?
Victoria has 6 ferry and express-boat connections across 5 quays. Each route page lists the timetable, crossing time and operator.
Who operates ferries in Victoria?
Boat and ferry services in Victoria are run by 3 operators, including Raymond Island Ferry, Searoad Ferries and Spirit of Tasmania. Most are part of Australia's county public-transport network.
Explore
Other ferry regions in Australia
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub.