New passenger ferry service to open from the Bayside to North Stradbroke Island

Boat tour agency River to Bay will be launching a new ferry service on 1st March from the William Gunn Jetty in Manly to Dunwich on North Stradbroke Island. The trip on the new ‘Straddie Shuttle’ will take half an hour and will cost $33 one way and $44 return, or $15 and $22 respectively for children.

You can just pitch up and pay for the trip onboard using EFTPOS, but River to Bay recommend booking in advance on their website to ensure you get a seat. There are six departures from Manly daily (except Mondays) at 7am, 8am and 9am in the morning and 4pm and 5pm in the afternoon. Trips back from Dunwich to Manly leave at 7.30am, 8.30am, 2.30pm, 4.30pm and 5.30pm. At this point it looks as though they’re already booked out on their first day, Friday 1st March.

The service from Manly is on board a 12m boat called Bottlenose (pictured left) which can seat up to 28 passengers.

Will you get wet?

The operators advise that “Our boats will cruise at 25-30 knots, which will throw up a bit of spray in most weather conditions. The boats are equipped with clear roll-down blinds all around, which mostly keep it dry. However, boats are boats and there is always a chance you and your stuff will get a splash. We recommend leaving things at home that just cannot get wet.”

And if you’re wondering if there is a toilet on board, there is.

As the new service is walk on passengers only, it will not replace the car ferry service that departs from Cleveland.

At the moment the operators are running a launch promotion where you get 50% off ferry tickets if you buy beofre the end of February by using the promo code SHUTTLE at checkout (and you must travel before 30th May)

For more info and to book tickets visit the operator’s website: https://rivertobay.com.au/stradbroke-island-ferry/