When it comes to getting to a Queensland island by ferry or private charter, you are ultimately asking yourself whether control of the journey is worth more than the lowest possible fare. For an individual, a couple or family making for a well known island destination, the ferry is the sensible option. But if you have a large party, need to get to some unspoilt beach country, or are lugging about a lot of gear, a private boat charter in Queensland will be the better proposition.
Adelaide Crowe here. In my experience one does not choose island transport on the merits of the boat alone. It is a matter of how much of a wait your group can put up with, the tides, the weather, where you board and the return route, not to mention luggage. I have put together some pointers so as not to make a logistical mess of what should be a relaxing getaway.
Make The Right Island Connection
There is a difference in the way ferries and charters are used. Ferries are ideal when there is an established route; with a private transfer you dictate the where and when. And your budget is only part of the equation, your destination is equally important, especially when considering scenic boat services to islands.
You will find all manner of marine links to the likes of Moreton and North Stradbroke islands, Hamilton Island and some of those on the Great Barrier Reef. K’gari (Fraser Island) is another story; you might have to put together a mix of ferry, four-wheel-drive, vehicle barge and local transfers instead of a simple boat ride.
A Question Of Route
Ferries tend to run from a mainland boarding point or fixed terminal. You put in your order for a ticket, adhere to the operator’s check-in and are off with the rest of the passengers. There is little room for being spontaneous but at least the price is set in stone.
With a private island boat transfer the operator might pick you up at a marina or a pre-arranged spot on the beach and put in some stops along the way. That said, a skipper is not going to put in wherever the water looks amenable; he has to abide by safety rules, tides and any protected zones.
The Way Of The Ferry
They are the mainstay of transport in Queensland for a reason, offering a service that residents and visitors can rely on. A ferry is generally simpler to put in a budget, return fares and the like included.
Then again you have to conform to their schedule. Make sure you look at both ways of the timetable before you reserve a table or book in for a tour; missing the last ferry is an expensive way to end a day out.
Know Your Boarding Point
Get the terminal name right. Do not be content with the name of the island, there are enough places in Queensland with similar nomenclature and more than one way to get there from the mainland. Whether it is a city wharf or a coastal port, factor in time to park and make your way to the berth. Expect the queues to build on a weekend in fine weather, or during the school holidays. If you have prams, fishing tackle or a surfboard, enquire with the operator on loading beforehand.
What You Get With A Shared Service
Numbers keep the per head cost down on a ferry. Some will take your vehicle, bike or esky, others will not. Do not think for a moment a passenger ticket covers a vehicle or a seat of your own. The return leg is where people are taken aback. A service could be full ahead of time or the ticket good for only one sailing. Have your confirmation to hand and build in some leeway if there is a flight or drive back to the mainland to contend with.
Private Charters
For those who would have the day suit the boat, a private charter is the answer. You can see to it that you have time for snorkelling, sightseeing and a few islands, or linger at the beach a while longer.
But “private charter” is something of a catch all. You could be looking at an exclusive affair with a skippered boat and fuel, or a water taxi for a straight transfer. Then there is self-drive boat hire in Queensland which entails a certain amount of licence and weather related responsibility.
Make Sure You Know What Is In The Quote
Charter rates are usually set on the vessel, not the number of passengers. Put a ferry fare next to it and the price can seem steep, but then you put the total over a group and the numbers are more palatable. Take a $1,200 vessel booking: with eight travellers you are at $150 apiece before any other costs come into play; do the same with four and it is $300 per person.
Make sure to find out what is in the quote. Fuel, skipper fees, equipment, marina or national park charges, waiting time, cleaning, meals and transfers from your accommodation should all be accounted for. When the add-ons start to show up, as they have a way of doing with the quiet insistence of a parking fine, a low headline number is not so appealing.
Know The Limits Of Flexibility
There is flexibility in private travel but it is not immune to the weather. A skipper will not hesitate to alter the route, put off departure or call off the trip if he deems the risk too great on account of wind, swell, storms, tides or visibility. An operator of good repute will have made the cancellation policy plain before payment is taken.
The charter is subject to fuel and vessel capacity as well as the make-up of the group. Let the operator know if there is anyone who cannot swim with confidence, has trouble with mobility, requires some help boarding or is likely to get seasick.
Compare Cost And Inclusions
What is the cheapest will be a matter of activities, the route and how large the group is. For a small party making a direct run between terminals a ferry is generally more economical. But when you have a number of people on the vessel or would have to arrange individual tours and transfers, a charter is hard to beat.
Do not just compare the boat fare, look at the journey in its entirety. Between vehicle transport, taxis, mainland parking, an early departure necessitating nearby accommodation, meals and activity fees, the final figure can be quite different.
| Travel Factor | Ferry Service | Private Charter |
|---|---|---|
| Cost structure | Per passenger as a rule, some vehicles or equipment at an extra cost | By the vessel, itinerary and skipper |
| Departure times | An assigned service on a fixed timetable | More often put in place for the group, provided safety and tides allow |
| Travel route | Between approved terminals on a set course | Island-hopping in Queensland and such like may be part of the plan |
| Privacy | You are in transfer with others | The vessel is for the booked party alone |
| Luggage | Subject to the operator’s loading and limits | Vessel capacity will still put a cap on weight and volume but there is room to negotiate |
| Best suited to | A straightforward day for a couple, family or solo traveller | For groups, photographers, anglers and those with a more open itinerary |
Balance Time And Flexibility
With a ferry the schedule and route are in place so one can put a time on it. One has to factor in getting to the terminal, the check-in, parking and luggage collection though; on a busy day the land side of things can be more of an ordeal than the crossing.
A charter is another matter, the time will vary with the sea state, stops and the vessel. You might have a quick private transfer or an itinerary with a few anchorages could occupy the better part of the day. Get a door-to-door estimate that is realistic, not the best-case scenario for the crossing.
One-Day Trip Strategy
When you have only the one day, pick the option that leaves you with the most of it. If the island has hire vehicles or public transport to match your arrival a scheduled ferry is ideal. Or if the draw is offshore and you would rather not be making separate transfers from beach to beach, a charter is worth considering.
Resist the urge to put three islands in a day’s work just because they appear close on the map. There is time needed for tides, loading and anchoring. Three hasty photographs and a bit of mutiny in the group before lunch is no substitute for an island you have had time to enjoy.
Compare Comfort And Group Size
Ferries are practical. Some have toilets and there is room to get about, and for a family wanting facilities they can count on without an itinerary coddling them it is the calmer option.
With a private charter you have control and privacy. No travelling like sardines, you can put on your own music, have a swim, bring your own provisions. That said, a smaller boat can leave you more exposed to the movement and spray, so private is not synonymous with smooth.
Choose For Your Travellers
Families ought to enquire as to pram storage, child restraints, shade, the proximity of the terminal to where you are staying and toilet access. For older members of the party or those with limited mobility, questions should be asked of the operator concerning ramps, steps and the need for a transfer boat or assistance in boarding; some vessels have a narrow deck or a steep point of entry.
As for large groups, do not be guided by a photograph in confirming legal capacity. A boat may present as roomy on the internet until the bags, towels, snorkelling gear and lunch are brought aboard.
Handle Luggage And Access
While you will find luggage allowance rules in print for most ferries, they are not all the same. A small day bag is the place to put your valuables, identification, any essential medication and gear that does not like the weather; do not have it buried in a large case of its own to be put on board.
An operator in private hands will be more amenable to odd items such as an extra esky, a bicycle or diving and fishing equipment. That said, there is only so much room and weight a vessel can take. Put the operator in the picture on what you intend to bring ahead of time.
Then there is the matter of accessibility. The word has a different connotation at a sandy beach than it does in a marina. Make the necessary inquiries: is there a ramp at the island landing or a beach transfer? Can the boarding point accommodate a wheelchair and is help at hand? Is the point of embarkation level?
Weather And Safety
Tides and the weather make their mark on any marine passage in Queensland. You may get more spray and swell from the wind, low tide will alter the going on a beach landing and tropical conditions have a way of turning up fast in the Whitsundays and off the Great Barrier Reef.
Do not just file away a forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology at the end of an email; use it in your planning.
Book With A Safety Margin
Your operator should be one who is forthcoming about cancellation terms, passenger limits, life jackets and how he makes his weather calls. Verify the commercial standing of the vessel if need be and the skipper should know your route and equipment.
A cloudy day is no excuse to forgo sun protection. Have some water and a light rain jacket to hand, and seasickness medicine if required. A phone in a waterproof pouch is a good idea but do not count on reception once offshore.
- Make sure you have the terminal and check-in times and return service confirmed.
- Luggage and parking rules, vehicle arrangements, refunds and the prospect of a weather cancellation should all be sorted.
- Inform the operator of any bulky equipment, children or mobility requirements.
- Factor in some leeway for queues, tides and loading delays.
Finding The Right Match
For a couple or solo traveller with a simple destination and nothing out of the ordinary to carry, a ferry or shared transfer is the straightforward choice. There is no need to put down money for a whole vessel when you can follow the timetable and pay for a seat.
Families will want a ferry for the vehicle access and predictable fares. Or if the cost is justified by a quieter setting and the ability to set your own departure, a private charter is well suited to those with young ones.
Wedding parties and other groups would do well to put a price on both. Take the charter figure and divide by the number of you, then put it up against the ferry and local taxi and parking costs. It is a reasonable proposition when the group is of a certain size.
Those with boat experience might opt for a self-drive or skippered arrangement to do some island-hopping or fishing. But we would not have a beginner hire a vessel without the local knowledge to handle unfamiliar reefs and strong currents, let alone the shallow bars and tides. Those making for Hamilton Island or the Whitsundays will put a premium on getting to their accommodation and reef excursions. A visitor with Moreton or North Stradbroke in mind would do well to weigh up the passenger ferries, vehicle options and what is available for transport once on the island. With K’gari one has to be more circumspect in the planning since the boat is but an element of the journey.
Set Your Expectations
You may think a private charter can put you anywhere at a moment’s notice. In fact the skipper is bound by safety and limits imposed by the vessel, the tides and the weather.
The ferry fare does not automatically include every piece of luggage or your car. There are extra costs or prior arrangements to be made for oversized gear and vehicle bookings.
And while the crossing itself might be the shortest, do not assume it is the fastest way; factor in the time for check-in, loading, parking and making your way to where you are staying.
In my experience the question worth asking is not which boat is superior but “what is going to be a nuisance today?” Should a strict timetable be that nuisance and the funds are there, go with a charter. If it is the prospect of dealing with the elements or a convoluted boarding process, stick with the ferry service.
Some Questions Put To Us
Is A Private Boat More Expensive Than A Ferry?
As a rule, yes, if it is just two or one on a run-of-the-mill route. But with a larger party to split the cost of the vessel a charter becomes better value. One should look at the whole bill, from the skipper and fuel to any activities and parking.
How Does One Get To The Queensland Islands?
There is no definitive answer, it is a matter of the group and the route. An established terminal and a scheduled ferry are fine for a direct link. For exclusive use of the boat, several stops or when timing is flexible, opt for a private transfer.
What Islands Are Served By A Ferry?
You will find services to a number of places in Queensland, such as Hamilton and the other Whitsunday Islands, as well as Moreton and North Stradbroke. Since terminals and vehicle provisions are not uniform, put in a call to the operator to verify the route.
Do They Take Vehicles And Luggage?
Most will have room for luggage, some for vehicles, under varying conditions. See what the rules are for oversized items and vehicle size and note that a booking for the passenger and the vehicle might be separate.
Will A Charter Run In Poor Weather?
Not always. Any operator worth his salt will put off or cancel if the tides, visibility or swell are unwise. Get an idea of the policy on this before parting with your money and have a contingency for your return and meals.
Plan The Crossing
On the whole the ferry is the simple and economical option, the private charter offers more in the way of privacy and flexibility for a group. Have a look at the departure times, the weather policy, the total outlay and so on before you make up your mind.
Book your scenic boat or a regular Queensland island ferry and allow for the odd change of plan. A bit of forethought is its own reward on these islands; overconfidence tends to be met with a missed return and a sandwich of exorbitant price.
