Wallaroo ferry: Spencer Gulf Searoad to Lucky Bay cost and time

The Wallaroo ferry – officially, the Spencer Gulf Searoad – connects South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula to the Eyre Peninsula. One way fares from Wallaroo to Lucky Bay near Cowell cost from $165 per car.

The Spencer Gulf Searoad is the Wallaroo to Lucky Bay ferry service that connects the Yorke Peninsula to the Eyre Peninsula. For drivers, it cuts out a big chunk of the Spencer Gulf and it is sometimes (incorrectly) known as the ferry to Port Lincoln.

Why take the Wallaroo ferry?

Without the Wallaroo ferry service, a huge detour is required when driving from Adelaide to Port Lincoln. It starts with driving from Adelaide to Port Augusta via Port Wakefield, Lake Bumbunga, Port Pirie and Mambray Creek, then heads down the east coast of the Eyre Peninsula via Whyalla.

Going via Port Augusta makes for a driving time of nearly seven hours. Taking the Spencer Gulf Searoad ferry from Wallaroo to Lucky Bay near Cowell can shorten the journey. Unfortunately, it doesn’t shorten it by much as it is not a ferry to Port Lincoln.

Wallaroo Marina at sunset, long after the last ferry has departed for the Eyre Peninsula. Photo courtesy of the South Australian Tourism Commission.

Spencer Gulf Searoad: Wallaroo ferry times

The Wallaroo ferry takes between two and two-and-a-half hours to complete the 60km journey to Lucky Bay.

The 161km drive from Adelaide to Wallaroo on the Copper Coast takes about two hours and 15 minutes. Once on the Eyre Peninsula, the 177km drive from Lucky Bay to Port Lincoln takes about one hour and 55 minutes.

When you take into account the faff of checking in, loading and unloading, taking the Wallaroo ferry doesn’t save all that much time at all. You’re essentially taking the Wallaroo to Lucky Bay ferry to cut the amount of time you spend physically behind the wheel.

Port Lincoln experiences to book in advance

Coffin Bay day tour, with oyster tasting.
Eyre Peninsula scenery, food and wine-tasting trip.
Sunset sand dunes photography tour.
Electric mountain bike rental.
Wildlife-focused full day tour.

Ferry to Port Lincoln? Wallaroo to Lucky Bay ferry cost

The Wallaroo ferry costs $165 per car for a one way ticket.

This price includes the driver, although passengers are charged extra. It’s $36 for adult passengers and $10 for children. Bookings should be made via the Spencer Gulf Searoad website.

If you need Wallaroo accommodation the night before catching the ferry, strong options include the Wallaroo Marina Apartments and Wallaroo Holiday Park.

The best accommodation in Wallaroo, South Australia

The top places to stay in Wallaroo are:

For central beachfront cabins: Wallaroo Beachfront Tourist Park.
For better holiday park facilities at North Beach: Wallaroo Holiday Park.
For a solid motel with pretty cheap rates: Sonbern Lodge Motel.
For high quality apartments by the water: Wallaroo Marina Apartments.

Port Lincoln accommodation picks

Port Lincoln is a wealthy town, and the accommodation options here are perhaps surprisingly strong. Top choices include…

For waterfront location: Marina Hotel.
For low prices and decent quality: Grand Tasman Hotel.
For central convenience and high quality: Port Lincoln Hotel.
For families: Port Lincoln Cabin Park.

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