Coochiemudlo Island ferry vs barge: Departure point & price

The Coochiemudlo Island ferry departs from Victoria Point, 37km south-east of central Brisbane. Opt for the much cheaper passenger ferry rather than taking a car on the Coochiemudlo Island barge.

Coochiemudlo Island is by no means the biggest drawcard of the islands in Moreton Bay. Frankly, you’re going to take the ferry to North Stradbroke Island or Moreton Island first. But for an enjoyable, low key day out from Brisbane, Coochiemudlo Island is worth a look.

To book a Coochiemudlo Island tour, click here.

Coochiemudlo Island ferry from Victoria Point

The Coochiemudlo Island ferry is the only way to get to Coochiemudlo Island, unless you have your own boat. There are two options, both run by Amity Trader and both departing from Victoria Point, around 37km south-east of Brisbane City Hall.

Given that Coochiemudlo Island weighs in a 4.1 square kilometres, there’s really no need to take a car across. If you do want to drive, then the Coochiemudlo Island barge costs $60 return and needs advance booking.

So you might as well go on foot. The Coochiemudlo Island passenger ferry runs every half hour, with tickets costing just $5. The Coochiemudlo Island ferry crossing from Victoria Point takes about ten minutes.

Things to do on Coochiemudlo Island

The Coochiemudlo ferry arrives at Main Beach on the southern side of the island. This is where Coochie Boat Hire rents out barbecue boats.

Main Beach is patrolled by lifeguards, so swim between the red and yellow flags. There’s also a playground just east of the jetty.

Coochiemudlo Island in Moreton Bay, Brisbane — Coochiemudlo Island is a family-friendly getaway in Moreton Bay near Brisbane. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

Should you wish to venture from Main Beach, the Isle of Coochie Golf Club has a nine hole golf course

But the real reason to get on the Coochiemudlo Island ferry is nature. Morwong Beach has a few Aboriginal scar trees and middens, showing that the island has a history of Indigenous inhabitation. But at low tide you can see hundreds of tiny soldier crabs scurrying over the mudflats.

Melaleuca Wetlands on Coochiemudlo Island

The Melaleuca Wetlands on the west of the island are also an important haven for birds. The rainbow lorikeets and kookaburras venture out into the island’s streets, however.

The real stars of the show are in the water, though. Dolphins can sometimes be seen breaching in the shallows, often near mooching turtles. Keep an eye out towards the seagrass beds, though – this is where lovably podgy dugongs like to hang out. It’s very rare for dugongs to be seen this close to a major city centre anywhere else.

There are other smaller islands to explore in Moreton Bay. The Russell Island ferry heads to four of them.