Australia
Melbourne
A city of coffee and culture, laced with one of the world's largest tram networks — free to ride in the centre.
Ferry / Westgate Punt
Updated on August 2, 2026
How to ride
- 1Pick the operator by where you're goingBay crossings are Port Phillip Ferries; Williamstown is a cruise boat; the hop across the Yarra is the Westgate Punt.
- 2Book on the operator's website firstPort Phillip Ferries is pre-purchase only and sells nothing on board; seating is limited, so book before you go.
- 3Head to the Docklands pierThe pier sits right by tram stop D3 in the free tram zone and is a short walk from Southern Cross Station.
- 4Arrive 20 minutes before departureBoarding opens 20 minutes before departure and closes 3 minutes before; allow extra time if you are loading a bike.
- 5Show your booking as you boardShow the booking on your phone or on paper to the crew - there are no gates and nothing to tap.
- 6For the Punt, just turn up at the jettyThe Westgate Punt needs no booking - wait at the jetty and pay at the card terminal on board.
Fares
Single fares4
Passes & multi-ride1
Children & discounts1
Estimates use exchange rates as of November 3, 2026
Payment
Quick facts
Fares
PortPlus(Limited)Multi-trip packs on the Portarlington route only; no day pass exists
Daily fare capNo daily cap - and the myki cap does not cover ferries
Transfer discountsNo transfer discount with trains, trams or buses
Facilities
Lifts (step-free)(Limited)Port Phillip Ferries takes wheelchairs and motorised mobility scooters and has accessible bathrooms on board. The Westgate Punt also carries wheelchairs and prams.
Suitcases & luggageLuggage racks on board; no storage at either pier
Free Wi-Fi(Limited)Port Phillip Ferries advertises free Wi-Fi on board, with large tables to work at. Neither the Westgate Punt nor the Williamstown Ferry mentions Wi-Fi.
ToiletsFour on the lower deck of each Port Phillip Ferries vessel, some accessible
Rules
Eating & drinking on boardLicensed cafés on board serve drinks and snacks, but take no cash
Smoking(Banned)Banned on board and near the doors; vaping too
Pets(Banned)Assistance animals only; the Westgate Punt does take dogs on a lead
Fare evasion fine (Port Phillip Ferries)(Limited)No valid ticket: refusal and possible prosecution; no fine amount is published.
Apps & info
Journey planner app (Google Maps)Useful for finding the pier - every operator books on its own website, not through an app
English signageSigns and announcements are in English only
Operating hoursPort Phillip Ferries runs Docklands-Portarlington twice each way a day, 70 minutes each way: weekdays leaving Portarlington 7:15 and 16:00 - except on Tuesdays, when the 16:00 does not run and an 11:00 sailing replaces it - and Docklands 9:30 and 17:40; weekends leaving Portarlington 9:00 and 17:00 and Docklands 10:40 and 18:30. That is the off-peak timetable; separate timetables run during school holidays and from late December to early January. Every published Geelong-Docklands sailing is marked as travelling via Portarlington and takes about 2 hours 10 minutes - and all of them are suspended until 5 September 2026. The Williamstown Ferry sails Saturdays and Sundays through winter; the operator says departure times change daily with tides, weather and major events, and the only times it publishes are the three return sailings from Gem Pier at 11:30, 13:45 and 16:00. The Westgate Punt runs about every 20 minutes on weekdays, 5:35-9:30 and 14:20-18:40, and on demand 9:00-17:00 at weekends and on public holidays (closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday).
Heads-up
-
Miss the sailing and there is no refund or change
Miss your sailing and the ticket is gone - no refund, no date or time change. Boarding closes 3 minutes before departure and the vessel will not wait.
Timetable
Editor Naotaka 