Nelly Bay – Townsville

Ferries to Australia

Nelly Bay – Townsville
Sorry, the Nelly Bay to Townsville Ferry service is no longer available with Direct Ferries.

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Nelly Bay to Townsville Ferry

Depending on the season their are usually 6 daily and 47 weekly sailings between Nelly Bay and Townsville. 2 ferry operators provide ferries from Nelly Bay to Townsville, Magnetic Island Ferries & Sealink Queensland. Nelly Bay Townsville Ferry timetables change seasonally, use our Deal Finder to get tickets, pricing, schedules and availability.

Nelly Bay Townsville Ferry Times

The earliest Nelly Bay Townsville ferry typically departs Nelly Bay at about 06:05. The average sailing time of a ferry from Nelly Bay to Townsville is approximately 40m and the fastest sailing time is approximately 40m.

Nelly Bay to Townsville Ferry Prices

Ferry prices for a ferry from Nelly Bay to Townsville typically range between $37* and $261*. On average the Nelly Bay Townsville ferry is $116*. The cheapest Nelly Bay Townsville ferry prices start from $12*. The average price for a foot passenger is $64*. The average price for a Nelly Bay Townsville car ferry is $257*.

Ferry prices may differ by season and depend on various factors, such as number of passengers, vehicle type and sailing time.

How far is Townsville from Nelly Bay?

The distance between Nelly Bay and Townsville is approximately 5.9 miles (9.5km), or 5.1 nautical miles.

Is there a car ferry from Nelly Bay to Townsville?

Yes, there is a car ferry from Nelly Bay to Townsville provided by Magnetic Island Ferries. Use our Deal Finder to get live pricing and tickets for car ferries between Nelly Bay and Townsville.

Are foot passengers allowed on the Nelly Bay Townsville ferry?

Yes, Nelly Bay Townsville ferries allow foot passengers. You can travel as a foot passenger from Nelly Bay to Townsville with Magnetic Island Ferries, Sealink Queensland.

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Nelly Bay - Townsville Route summary
Departure Country Australia
Destination Country Australia
No. of Operators 2
Operators Magnetic Island Ferries & Sealink Queensland
Average Price A$114*
Average Daily Sailings 6
Average Weekly Sailings 47
Average Sailing Duration 40m
First Ferry 06:05
Last Ferry 20:00
Distance 5 nautical miles

* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 2024-04-02.

Most popular questions

Nelly Bay Guide

Nelly Bay Ferry Port

Hidden in a niche between rugged, tree-topped hills is Nelly Bay, a small port town found on Magnetic Island just a few miles north from the coast of Queensland, Australia. The island, named after the disruptive magnetic effect the area inflicted on the compass of Captain Cook during an 18th Century expedition, is an oasis of unspoiled wildlife. Over half of the mountainous isle is protected by a national park that plays host to swathes of Eucalypt woodland and the population of Koala Bears that live therein. The famed Great Barrier Reef lies a short way off the northern coast too and coral reefs hug the shoreline – the perfect location for keen divers. The port of Nelly Bay is a gateway for travellers wanting to reach Australia. Passenger ships regularly leave the south-eastern tip of the isle to Townsville on the mainland, a city considered the unofficial capital of North Queensland by locals. Ferries sail the narrow strip of the Pacific multiple times per day, a service provided by either Sealink or Fantasea. The ferry terminal is relatively small and sits at one end of a marina that juts into a sheltered section of the turquoise sea. Beachside apartments line the surrounding coastline, offering views over the pristine golden sands of the nearby beach. Due to the size of the island, getting to the port is easy regardless of where you are staying. A road route curves along the eastern coast, around the national park, connecting all of the urban settlements from Horseshoe Bay in the north to Picnic Bay in the south. A bus route regularly traverses this stretch of the island, with one stop arriving directly at the port.


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