Getting out and about on the water doesn’t necessarily have to be something you have to do once you get to your destination. Sometimes it’s possible to get to one of Australia’s great tourist spots by boat. Scheduled ferry routes services connect cities and areas to top holiday spots across the country, and often hopping on board can add to the whole trip experience. So why not set sail and take the scenic route across the water?
The Queenscliff Ferry
Route: Queenscliff to Sorrento, Victoria.
Many people take the Great Ocean Road and the Mornington Peninsula as an either/or choice. It’s too much of a pain in the butt to drive all around Port Phillip and through Melbourne to get to the other side.
Mercifully, this is made completely unnecessary by the Queenscliff ferry, which transports both cars and foot passengers. Leaving every hour on the hour from Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula, it takes 40 minutes to cross the neck of the Bay, and it seems a crying shame to stay in the passenger lounge all that time.
There’s a heck of a lot to see, with the sweep of the bay and the Melbourne skyline in the distance just being a small part of it. There are also historic buildings and lighthouses at either side, fortresses at Point Nepean and the turbulent waters of the infamous Rip to grab your attention.
Best of all, there’s wildlife to see. Fur seals and southern right whales are occasionally spotted en-route, while there are usually dolphins in the water. As for sea birds, there are swarms of them.
Perhaps best of all are the views of the beaches and hilltop mansions at Sorrento as the ferry pulls in.
The reverse journey also goes on the hour, every hour from Sorrento.
Sydney Harbour ferries
While going out for a cruise on Sydney Harbour is an absolute must-do for anyone visiting Australia’s biggest city, the cheat’s method can be just as satisfying. There are regular ferry services that criss-cross the harbour, some of which go as far down as Parramatta.
The classic journey, however, is the half-hour journey from Circular Quay to Manly and vice versa. It’s no wonder that residents of Manly believe they have the best commute in the world – the ride passes harbour beaches, imperious cliffs, inviting greenery and all manner of hubbub on the harbour. There are speedboats, posh yachts, kayakers and other ferries to look at, while if the sun’s beating down, then sitting on the deck outside is difficult to beat.
Other destinations reachable by ferry on Sydney Harbour include Taronga Zoo, Darling Harbour and Watson’s Bay.
Spirit of Tasmania
Route: Melbourne, Victoria to Devonport, Tasmania
For a proper, long ferry ride, why not go interstate? The Spirit of Tasmania makes the journey over the Bass Strait from Melbourne to Devonport. The night sailing leaves daily at 8pm from both destinations, arriving at 7am in the morning, while day sailings go during certain times of year, leaving at 9am and arriving at 6pm.
Going on the Spirit takes you back to the good old days before cheap flights, where the journey was all part of the fun. Indeed, the ferry ride is something of an outing in itself – cabins are available for those wanting a sleep, while there are two restaurants – one self-service, and one a la carte, specialising in Tasmanian food. Throw in bars, a gaming room, a children’s play area and even a cinema, and boredom is hardly likely to enter the equation.
The Rottnest Express
Route: Perth/ Fremantle to Rottnest Island, Western Australia.
For residents of Perth, Rottnest Island has long been the sunny day/ weekend bolthole of choice, and it’s just a short ferry ride away. Most go for the snorkelling, wildlife and relative tranquility of a vehicle-free island, but getting there is all part of the experience.
It’s possible to get there from both Fremantle and Perth, and both departure points offer the same magical views of the shoreline and Indian Ocean. However, the Perth trip also throws in part of the Swan River, and you can watch the city skyline disappearing into the distance. That leaves from the Barrack Street Jetty in the centre of town.
The Rottnest Express is fully licensed, so the holiday can properly start with a beer on board.
The Daintree Ferry
Route: Across the Daintree River, Queensland.
For a slightly more adventurous ferry journey, why not throw a few crocodiles in for good measure? The Daintree River is infested with them, but thankfully they can’t get on board the ferry that manfully plugs backwards and forwards all day. It’s operated on a cable system and it’s the only way to cross the river. Well, unless you hire your own boat, and then you’ve got to know where the croc nests are or potentially enter a whole world of pain.
Aside from the environment and those lovable snappy things in the water, the joy of the Daintree ferry is the feeling that you’re properly crossing a threshold. On the south side there’s (relative) civilisation, but as soon as you get over to the north shore, you’re entering one of the world’s last great wildernesses.
This article was originally written for Ninemsn.
Copyright David Whitley
