Tailem Bend ferry, South Australia: Timetable and costs

The Tailem Bend ferry is one of several ferry services crossing the Murray River. This Tailem Bend to Jervois Punt is free of charge, and operates 24 hours a day without a timetable.

The Tailem Bend ferry in South Australia is one of several ferry services across the Murray River. There’s no bridge in Tailem Bend, one of the last towns on the Murray before it merges into Lake Alexandrina. The Tailem Bend ferry performs the role of a bridge, transferring cars and passengers to the small settlement of Jervois on the western bank of the river.

Find the best Tailem Bend accommodation deals here…

How much does the Tailem Bend ferry cost?

There is no charge to use the Tailem Bend ferry – sometimes known as the Tailem Bend to Jervois Punt. No tickets are sold, and there is no cost for ferry users.

The aim is to make this Murray River ferry as seamless a part of the South Australian road network as possible.

The Tailem Bend ferry crossing the Murray River. Photo by John Montesi.

Tailem Bend ferry timetable

There’s no charge to use the Tailem Bend ferry, but there’s no timetable either. This Murray River ferry departs when it is ready. Sometimes that can mean a short wait at the ferry terminal.

It’s rarely a massive inconvenience, however, as the Tailem Bend ferry crossing takes less than ten minutes.

There’s no need for a Tailem Bend ferry timetable, as the service is constantly in operation, 24 hours a day.

This Murray River cable ferry crosses the river, unloads the cars and passengers, loads up whichever cars and passengers are waiting, then immediately takes them over to the other side of the river.

Tailem Bend to Jervois Punt capacity

The Tailem Bend to Jervois Punt – called the Rosella – does have capacity constraints, however. This Murray River car ferry is only 22.5km long. It can carry eight standard vehicles and 67 foot passengers at any one time.

More information is available on the South Australian government website. Other Murray River ferries include the Mannum ferry and Wellington ferry.

Tailem Bend accommodation picks

The best Tailem Bend accommodation choices are:

For good quality at relatively cheap rates (and a riverside location): Motel River Bend.
For racetrack views: Rydges Pit Lane Hotel.
For families: Big4 The Bend Holiday Park.