page_title: Ferry transport in Queensland
section_title: Northern
hierarchical_section_title: Ferry transport in Queensland / Department of Transport & Main Roads Regions / Northern
caption_attribution_description: English: Magneta (ship) Passenger launch/ferry - Townsville to Magnetic Island. 1922. (Description supplied with the photograph).
context_page_description: Ferry transport in Queensland provides both historical and current information relating to scheduled public passenger ferry services in Queensland. The first ferry started on 1 January 1843 at Russell Street with a service across the Brisbane River.
  Crossings in the Brisbane central business district and at Bulimba, Dutton Park, Indooroopilly and Moggill were needed for road transport to develop in a growing town. Before the Story and Gateway Bridges were constructed ferries transported vehicles across the river at these locations. Some of the more significant services vital to various communities, include the Daintree River Ferry, services to Thursday Island, Magnetic Island, Fraser Island, North Stradbroke Island and other islands in Moreton Bay.
  Ferry services in Queensland are regulated by the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Services in Brisbane, including the CityCat are operated by Transdev Brisbane Ferries under a contract with Brisbane City Council.
context_section_description: Magnetic Island was first serviced in 1899 when a service between Ross Creek and Magnetic Island was commenced by the Hayles Magnetic Island Ferry Service, commenced. As of 2011, Nelly Bay Harbour, Magnetic Island, is served by 2 companies. SeaLink Travel Group operates passenger catamarans and Fantasea Cruising Magnetic operates a vehicular ferry.
  Palm Island is serviced from both Lucinda and Ross Creek. Day & Day Shipping provides passenger and vehicular ferries from Lucinda. Sealink operates passenger catamarans from Ross Creek.
  In Townsville until the completion of the Victoria Bridge in 1889, the only passage across Ross Creek was by ferry. First a rowing boat and later a larger vessel was introduced into service as a result of the increase in population. Circa 1923, Kuranda plied between Townsville and Cooktown calling at Palm Island, Lucinda, Mourilyan Harbour, Cairns, Port Douglas and Cooktown. After receiving passengers and mail the vessel left Townsville at 13:00. on Mondays, arriving at Cooktown on Wednesdays. It departed at 16:00 the same day and arrived back in Townsville on Fridays at 16:00 after calling at all ports mentioned.
caption: Magneta
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