Opening Hours

FERRY CLOSED: 23 April - 23 May 2025

(*2025 Annual Maintenance Compliance Closure Regulated by Australian Maritime Safety Authority - AMSA)

EASTER HOLIDAY HOURS

5- 22 April: Open daily 8am - 5pm

Good Friday - Public Holiday: CLOSED

 

2025 Off-season:

• Until 23 April:  8am - 5pm - Daily.

2025 Tourism - season:

• 24 May - 31 October: 7am - 6pm daily

Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) has confirmed that operating times for the Jardine Ferry during 2025 will continue as 1 May to 31 October – 7am until 6pm daily - and 1 November to 30 April – 8am until 5pm (Monday to Friday only, until further notice).

Council cannot operate the ferry out of hours due to operational reasons for staff and public safety which includes managing high risk of:

• Fatigue
• Night-time driving hazards, nocturnal wildlife movement
• Road conditions
• Number of staff required on site to operate the vessel safely and in accordance with compliance requirements.

This does not impact on people who need to access the ferry in case of emergency by contacting 000. 

Travellers are encouraged to plan their road trips ahead to ensure they arrive during opening hours or be prepared to camp at the Jardine River Campsite.

During the NPA region’s busy tourism period between the months of May to October the Jardine Ferry can have significant delays due to the large volume of travellers enroute to the Tip of Cape York. All vehicles must make sure to arrive at the ferry by 4pm to ensure a timely crossing of the Jardine River and avoid missing the ferry closing time.

Contact: Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council - 180 Adidi St, Bamaga. 
Ph: 07 4090 4100 or 0740904120
Ferry Roadhouse: 07 40691369
Email: jardineferry@nparc.qld.gov.au  or info@nparc.qld.gov.au

Fees and Charges

Current Fees and Charges can be found in the finance section of Corporate Documents.

New Fee for Vehicles Over 10tonne (Road Trains) - Under Resolution: C8.7-17122024, NPARC voted on 18 December 2024 to establish a specific Fee for Road Trains to Use the Jardine River Ferry – from 1 January 2025 - at $1200.00 including GST.

 

Jardine Ferry Safety Management requires vehicles on the ferry to have motors turned off, be in gear with the handbrake on. All occupants of the vehicle must remain in the vehicle for the safety of all users. CCTV cameras are installed at the Ferry and Roadhouse in the interest of public safety. 

During busy times between the months of May - October the Jardine Ferry can have significant delays due to the large amount of travellers. Please make sure you arrive at the ferry by 4pm.

Some days the Ferry crew break between 12noon & 1pm.  Please note that fuel is not currently available at the Ferry Service Station, next fuel north of Ferry is approx 50kms at either Injinoo, Seisia or Bamaga.

Queensland wet season information

The wet season, commonly referred to as 'The Wet', is an annual weather event occurring generally between the months of November and April. The Wet affects tropical areas in central and north Queensland. During this season, these regions can experience heavy rainfall, sometimes causing flooding and/or land slips, which can isolate communities, industries and travellers. As a result of this flooding, roads can be affected by being cut off or washed away. Roads that have been flooded must be carefully managed. To do this, road closures, load restrictions and traffic management may be implemented to protect the road asset and balance access for communities and industries. Main Roads provides regular updates to RACQ about road conditions on the network in Queensland.

This information is available via the RACQ website or by phoning 1300 130 595.

For more important up to date information visit Main Roads Website or BOM Website for river heights.

Northern Cape York Tourism booklet (2024) is here!!!

Download the NPA Tourism Booklet 2024.

Learn about the unique history and cultures of the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities, the amazing landscapes & wildlife of Pajinka & Northern Peninsula Area - what's happening, where to go, and more ...

Northern Cape York Tourism booklet - 2nd edition (2024)

Booklets are available at Jardine River Ferry Office & all NPARC Offices.

NPARC Offices @ Bamaga, New Mapoon, Umagico, Injinoo.

Hard copy booklets are also available from front counters of advertisers in the booklet (see pdf copy).

Check out the digital version - read online here:

Download the NPA Tourism Booklet 2024.

Read more Northern Cape York Tourism info here: https://www.nparc.qld.gov.au/tourism