Gold Coast hop-on, hop-off ferry: Hopo fares, timetable & stops
The Gold Coast hop-on, hop-off ferry runs eight times a day, connecting Surfers Paradise, Main Beach and Southport. Hopo ferry fares cost from $7 for a single ticket, with a day pass costing $30.
Hop-on, hop-off services are usually associated with buses. But on Queensland’s Gold Coast, there’s also a hop-on, hop-off ferry. It’s not an especially extensive service, but the Gold Coast Hopo Ferry does connect the key suburbs of Surfers Paradise, Main Beach and Southport.
Book your Gold Coast Hopo Ferry pass now.
Gold Coast hop-on, hop-off ferry stops
The Gold Coast hop-on, hop-off ferry runs between five stops. The first two – the Surfers Paradise Ferry Wharf and Home of the Arts Ferry Wharf – are in Surfers Paradise.
The other three Hopo stops are the Marina Mirage Ferry Wharf in Main Beach, the Southport Ferry Wharf in Southport and the Sea World Ferry Wharf in Main Beach.
Gold Coast hop-on, hop-off ferry fare prices
Single tickets on the Gold Coast Hopo ferry are based on a zonal system. The two Surfers Paradise stops are in Zone A, with the other three in Zone B. Travel within one zone costs $7, and travel across the zones costs $14.
However, it is also possible to buy a day pass. This will set you back $30, which is probably worth it if you’re planning a big day’s exploring with multiple stops.
These passes can be booked online.
Best day trips from the Gold Coast – 7 ways to improve your stay
The Gold Coast is a destination in its own right, but there are several excellent day trips you can do while using it as a base.
- Deluxe Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
- Full day Springbrook National Park tour – with waterfalls and bush tucker tasting.
- Snorkelling with turtles at Cook Island.
- Evening glowworm-viewing experience – with guided stargazing.
- Lady Elliot Island day trip – with glass bottom boat & guided Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour.
- Hopping between microbreweries – with lunch included.
- Northern Rivers fruit & distillery tour – with Tropical Fruit World and Husk Distillers.
Gold Coast Hopo ferry timetable
There are two Gold Coast hop-on, hop-off ferries in service, and they take just under two hours to complete the full circuit. According to the timetable, there are hourly departures from each stop, with the first leaving Surfers Paradise Wharf at 09.00 and the last at 16.00. The ferries go through all five stops, then come back again in reverse order. There are eight departures from Surfers Paradise per day.
Expect northbound services at Home of the Arts Wharf at eight minutes past the hour, Marina Mirage Wharf at 35 minutes past and Southport at 45 minutes past.
Southbound services leave Seaworld at 55 minutes past, Southport at five past, Marina Mirage at quarter past and Home of the Arts at 42 minutes past.
All times and prices were correct at the time of writing, but are subject to change in the future.
7 Gold Coast experiences worth booking in advance
- See waterfalls and natural wonders – on a full day Springbrook National Park tour.
- Be awed by massive migrating humpbacks – on a great value whale-watching cruise.
- Feast as you explore the Gold Coast waterways – on a dinner cruise.
- Kayak with dolphins and snorkel with hundred of sub-tropical fish – on the same tour.
- Enjoy high speed thrills along the waterways – on a jet boat adventure.
- Glide above the beautiful hinterland – on a serene hot air balloon flight.
- Taste the best Scenic Rim wines – on an indulgent Tamborine Mountain wine tour, with lunch.
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Where to stop on the Ballina to Gold Coast drive.