Portarlington ferry: Cost and timetable from Melbourne

The Portarlington ferry from Melbourne’s docklands costs $16.50 one way. The ferry crossing from Melbourne to the Bellarine Peninsula takes one hour and 10 minutes.

When it comes to ferry travel in Australia, Sydney is the most famous city. The Manly ferry, Parramatta Rivercat and Watson’s Bay ferries are tourist attractions in their own right.

Melbourne might not have the glorious natural harbour that Sydney has, but it does have some ferry services. And, treated right, these Melbourne ferry services can be treated as pleasure cruises, too.

14 fantastic experiences that make the most of your free time in Melbourne

Get the very best views – on a hot air balloon flight over the city.
See the changing colours of the river – on a sunset kayaking tour – with dinner. (Highly recommended ✅)
Feast and see the sights at the same time – on a four course dinner cruise along the Yarra River.
A genuinely excellent street art tour, led by prominent street artists. (Highly recommended ✅)
The also superb Aboriginal heritage, plants and bush food tour in the Botanic Gardens. (💲 Great value 💲)
Best of Melbourne bike tour – you can see more on two wheels than walking.
Hidden laneways bar crawl OR foodie discovery tour OR chocolate and dessert tour.
Combo ticket for Australian Sports Museum and MCG tour.
Hassle-dodging advance tickets for the Melbourne Skydeck, Melbourne Zoo, the Ice Bar (with cocktails) and Sea Life Aquarium.

Portarlington ferry cost from Melbourne

One of the Melbourne ferry services heads across Port Phillip Bay to Portarlington on the Bellarine Peninsula. The Portarlington ferry cost $16.50 one way or $33 return. At present, tickets for the Melbourne to Portarlington ferry must be booked in advance. Bookings can be made on the Port Phillip Ferries website.

The Portarlington ferry departs from Melbourne’s Docklands Terminal. This is just to the east of Melbourne CBD, but within the Melbourne Free Tram Zone.

This Melbourne to Bellarine ferry starts off venturing down the Yarra River, passing the conjunction with the Maribyrnong River at Coode Island. The Bellarine Peninsula ferry then enters Port Phillip Bay at Port Melbourne, continuing across the bay to Portarlington.

👇 7 great day trips while you’re in Melbourne 👇

Great Ocean Road tour – with koalas 🐨.
Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island tour – with penguins 🐧.
Yarra Valley wine tour – with gin, cider and cheese 🍷.
Grampians National Park tour – with bushwalks and LOADS of kangaroos 🦘.
Mornington Peninsula tour – with hot springs bathing 🛀.
Wilsons Promontory tour – with all manner of native wildlife 🦘🐨.
Dandenong Ranges steam train ride – plus wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary and chocolate-tasting in the Yarra Valley.

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Portarlington Ferry from the beach — The Portarlington ferry, as seen from the beach on the Bellarine Peninsula. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria.

Bellarine Peninsula beaches and wineries

Portarlington is at the northern tip of the Bellarine Peninsula. If you want to get to Geelong, then you’ve made a poor choice. Portarlington is about 28km to the east and there’s a separate Melbourne to Geelong ferry. Use that if you want to visit Buckley Falls.

Within easy reach, however, are the Bellarine Peninsula wineries and beaches. Terindah Estate is about 7km away, and the Jack Rabbit Winery is pretty much next to it. The beaches at Indented Head and St Leonards on Half Moon Bay are in the other direction, but just as close.

Can I take a bike on the Portarlington ferry?

The Portarlington Ferry is not a car ferry, however. So the secret for exploring the Bellarine Peninsula is to take a bike with you. Port Phillip Ferries doesn’t charge for carrying a bike from Melbourne to Portarlington, as long as you let them know you’re doing so when booking. Take the bike on the Portarlington ferry, then go explore the Bellarine Peninsula wineries and beaches. It’s a lovely day out.

Portarlington ferry timetable

The major snag with the Melbourne to Bellarine ferry is that there are only two crossings from Melbourne every day. Timings are inconsistent – see the Port Phillip Ferries website for timetables. But it’s easy enough to go over in the morning, then back in the evening. The Melbourne to Portarlington ferry journey takes one hour and ten minutes.