Ferries

During Your Trip

If you're planning to take your campervan off the mainland, there's a number of factors to consider before you do so. Find out more here

Can I take a camper on a ferry?

To travel on a ferry during your campervan hire most vehicle providers in Australia will usually require you to obtain written permission from the pick-up depot. If written permission is not received, then ferry travel is most likely not permitted. An exception to this is travel between Melbourne and Launceston or river ferries which generally does not require written permission.

Travel to some islands is not permitted at any time due to the roads on the island or the access to and from the ferry not being suitable for campervan/motorhomes.

It’s always best practice to check with your vehicle provider for any ferry travel.

Risks

There may be exclusions to your insurance that apply for any damage caused whilst travelling on the ferry, even if written permission is acquired. These exclusions will be specific to each vehicle provider, but you can generally expect to be fully liable for any damage to the vehicle that occurs whilst travelling on a ferry.

Popular Ferry locations

Below are some examples of popular destinations that require ferry travel:

North Stradbroke Island - Permission Required
Magnetic island - Permission Required
Fraser Island - Not Permitted
Moreton Island - Not Permitted
Kangaroo Island - Permission Required
Bruny Island - Permission Required
Melbourne/Launceston — see our Hobart campervan hire and Tasmania campervan hire pages for more on travelling to Tassie
Daintree
Queenscliff/Sorrento

NOTE : Permission Required or Not Permitted : is based on Britz Terms and conditions 24/25. Please check directly with your vehicle provider for up to date ferry restrictions.

Ferry Costs

Ferry costs for Campervans and motorhomes are usually based on the size of the vehicle. You can reasonably expect $20-30 per metre in length.

How to Book a Ferry

After obtaining written permission to travel on a ferry, the next step is to call the ferry company and provide your vehicle specifications and travel date. The ferry company will check availability for a vehicle of your size and provide you with a quote for you to book. Availability can be limited for larger vehicles, so we recommend booking a ferry spot as soon as you have acquired written permission from your vehicle provider.

Expert Tip

Restrictions on ferry travel are there for a reason. Rough crossings and packed barges are common causes for minor vehicle damage. When possible, we recommend leaving your vehicle on the mainland and taking a day trip to the Island instead. For the full list of where you can and can't take your campervan, see our road restrictions guide.