We’re here, Birdon has commenced Daintree Ferry operations

From today, Birdon is officially operating the Daintree River Ferry on behalf of Douglas Shire Council. Here's what that means for you, where to find the information you need, and how to get in touch.

What's changed?

From 1 July 2026, Birdon has taken over day-to-day operations of the Daintree River Ferry. It was business as usual when the Ferry commenced operations at 5am, with ferry operation and ticket sales continuing as normal. Our team is on the ground, the ferry is running, and we're focused on making sure your crossing is safe, reliable and as smooth as possible.

Where to find information

This website is now your go-to source for everything ferry-related. You'll find:

🔄 Service status — live updates so you can check before you travel

🎟️ Ticket prices — clear, up-to-date pricing information

🛒 Online ticketing — buy your tickets before you arrive at the crossing

As you can see, the new website has a fresh new look, however, to ensure a smooth transition, the website operates and functions the same as the previous website. Tickets are still available for pre-purchase online, or can be purchased at the ticket booth or at the Ferry.

We'd recommend bookmarking this site and checking in before you head to the river, especially during busy periods.

What you can expect from us

We understand how essential this crossing is; for residents getting to work, kids getting to school, freight reaching businesses, emergency service access through the region and visitors experiencing the Daintree. It's not just a service; it's a daily lifeline for the community.

Here's what we're committed to:

• Safe operations — safety is built into everything we do, every crossing, every day
• Reliable service — Birdon has a track record of over 99% service availability across comparable ferry operations around Australia
• Clear communication — if something changes, you'll hear about it quickly and clearly through this website and our Facebook page

How to stay updated

• Before you travel — check the Status Updates page on this website
• For news and notices — follow us on Facebook
• Got questions? — visit our FAQs for information on ticketing, travel and the ferry service

We're listening

We're new to the Douglas Shire, but we're here for the long term. If you've got feedback, questions or suggestions, we genuinely want to hear them. You can reach us through this website or via our Facebook page.

We'd like to thank Entrada and Douglas Shire Council for their efforts in supporting a smooth transition, and the Douglas Shire community for your patience and support as we settle in. We're looking forward to becoming part of this community.