Overview
If life has you travelling regularly between Melbourne and Geelong, here's a little win for you: you'll soon be able to do so via ferry. After successful trials in July 2018, Port Phillip Ferries will launch a regular service between the two cities from next Monday, December 2.
Transporting commuters between Geelong's Steampacket Quay, near the Carousel and Cunningham Pier, and Victoria Harbour, the ferries will run twice daily. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the ferry will depart Geelong for Docklands at 6.45am and 11.45am; on Thursday and Friday, it'll depart at 6.45am and 3pm; and on Saturday and Sunday at 9.15am and 4.45pm. Ferries travelling from Docklands to Geelong will depart at 9.15am and 5.30pm on weekdays, and 11.15am and 6.45pm on weekends.
The trips are expected to take about 90 minutes — aka the same as a train journey. That said, it might be quicker than driving in peak hour traffic, especially if you work in or near the harbour. Tickets are a little pricier, with the ferry costing $18 one way (or $15 if you get a ten-pack) and the V/Line costing around $13.
Built by Tasmanian-based company Incat, the new route will be sailed by a purpose-built Geelong Flyer catamaran, which'll boast indoor and outdoor spaces, and can seat 400 people.
Either way, with the added bonus of free wifi, phone charging stations, bike racks and an on-board licensed cafe (perfect for that post-work tipple), the ferry ride sounds a whole lot more picturesque than the train journey — and much more tempting than a peak-hour crawl over the West Gate Bridge. If you don't get seasick, that is.
Committing to the route continues the expansion of Port Phillip Ferries' commuter services. It has already been running a daily service between Portarlington and Melbourne, the Bellarine Express, for the past three years.
On the very first Geelong-Docklands ferry, departing at 6.45am on Monday, December, the first 50 commuters will score free doughnuts, coffee and drink voucheres.
Port Phillip Ferries' new Geelong Flyer will hit the water from Monday, December 2, 2019. For further details, about fares and timetables Port Phillip Ferries website.