Palm Island ferry: Sealink ferry from Townsville timetable and prices
The Sealink Palm Island ferry from Townsville to Palm Island leaves six times a week. The timetable for the ferry to Palm Island is erratic, and return fares cost from $76.90.
The Palm Island ferry links Townsville to Palm Island in North Queensland.
It’s not the best-known island near Townsville, and most visitors will default towards the Magnetic Island ferry, enjoying a day or two on Magnetic Island.
Book in advance for the best rates on Townsville accommodation.
Palm Island is much further away. It lies just to the south of Ingham, and is part of a small archipelago that also includes Orpheus Island, Fantome Island and Pelorus Island.
Aboriginal community on Palm Island
Palm Island – officially, Great Palm Island – is home to a mainly Aboriginal community. It is governed by the Aboriginal Shire of Palm Island, as are most of the islands in the archipelago. There is a dark history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people being moved from their homelands to Palm Island. It was billed as an Aboriginal reserve, but it was effectively a penal settlement.
The Palm Island ferry, therefore, is not really designed with tourists in mind. It exists to give the local community on Palm Island access to the mainland.
Sealink Palm Island ferry timetable
The Sealink Palm Island ferry timetable shows one ferry a day to the island, apart from on Tuesdays. The Palm Island ferry crossing from Townsville lasts around one-and-three-quarter hours.
The timings of these ferries are rather idiosyncratic. Most leave Townsville’s Breakwater Ferry Terminal at 12 noon, then depart Palm Island at 14.15. But it’s different on Mondays, when the ferry from Townsville leaves at 07.30. It then departs Palm Island at 09.30.
However, on sporadic days, the Palm Island ferry runs at completely different times. You really need to check the Sealink Queensland website in advance.
Palm Island ferry fare costs
The Palm Island ferry fares cost $76.90 for a return journey. You can also buy multi-journey tickets, allow two people up to ten one way journeys, for $311.40. In practice, this is only likely to be of use to Palm Island residents.
6 Townsville experiences to book in advance
- Magnetic Island ferry tickets – head over to one of the most beautiful islands in Australia.
- SS Yongala wreck dive – sea how coral and marine life have made the shipwreck home.
- Great Barrier Reef and Museum of Underwater Art cruise – witness the extraordinary underwater art project up close.
- Helicopter ride along the coast – get amazing views from above.
- Sunset sailing cruise – watch the colours over the water, with alcoholic drinks included.
- Jetski tour to Cape Pallarenda – whizz past beaches and giant boulders.
Townsville accommodation recommendations
The best bets for Townsville accommodation are…
- For beachside location: Water’s Edge The Strand.
- For a good value, well located motel: Yongala Lodge By The Strand.
- For a sassy, chic resort: Rambutan Resort.
- For families: Discovery Parks Townsville.
- For business-friendly apartments: Quest Townsville on Eyre.
If you found this guide useful, please consider booking your accommodation and tours through the links to Wotif and Viator below.
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Detour to Cape Hillsborough on a Mackay to Proserpine road trip.