A New Chapter for the Daintree Ferry

The new vessel is a modern, four‑lane cable ferry that will replace the current three‑lane ferry at the end of its service life. At around 49 metres long, it will be able to carry up to 36 vehicles; nine more than the existing ferry,helping to improve traffic flow and reduce waiting times, particularly during busy periods.

Key design improvements include:

• Lanes increased from 3 to 4 – standard lane width of 3.1m
• Increase in vehicles transiting to 36 cars each way
• Two lanes of entry / exit. Dual loading and unloading to reduce ferry turnaround times.
• Reduced wait times, including local’s priority lane
• Pedestrian access with airconditioned shelter for 12 passengers

The ferry is being designed and built by Birdon, an Australian‑owned maritime engineering company with nearly 50 years of experience delivering and operating ferry services for communities across the country. Birdon is Australia’s leading cable‑drawn ferry operator and currently designs, builds, operates and maintains ferry services in multiple locations nationwide.

From 1 July 2026, Birdon will take over the operation of the existing Daintree River Ferry, ensuring continuity of service while the new vessel is under construction. The new ferry is expected to be delivered and enter service in December 2027.

The new vessel forms part of a broader upgrade of the Daintree River crossing, working alongside improvements to ferry infrastructure on both sides of the river. Together, these upgrades are focused on providing a smoother, more reliable crossing that meets the needs of the Daintree community now and into the future.

We know how important this crossing is to everyday life in the Daintree, and we’re proud to be part of delivering the next generation of ferry service for the region.