Daydream Island – Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie)
Ferry to Australia
Daydream Island – Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie)
Ferry to Australia
Cruise Whitsundays provides the ferry from Daydream Island to Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie). Daydream Island Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) ferries cost between £46 and £125, depending on ticket details. Prices exclude any service fees. Ferry timetables change seasonally, use our Deal Finder to get live pricing and availability for Daydream Island Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) ferries.
The first Daydream Island Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) ferry typically departs from Daydream Island at around 07:35. The last ferry usually departs at 21:00.
The Daydream Island Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) ferry trip can take around 30 minutes. Sailing times can vary between ferry operators and can be impacted by weather conditions.
There are 63 weekly sailings from Daydream Island to Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) provided by Cruise Whitsundays. Timetables can change from season to season.
Daydream Island Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) ferry prices typically range between £46* and £125*. The average price is typically £90*. The cheapest Daydream Island Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) ferry prices start from £46*. The average price for a foot passenger is £90*.
Pricing will vary depending on number of passengers, vehicle type, route and sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over last 30 days and exclusive of service fees, last updated July 25.
The distance between Daydream Island to Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) is approximately 7.1 miles (11.4km) or 6 nautical miles.
No, ferry operators currently do not allow cars to travel on sailings between Daydream Island and Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie).
Yes, foot passengers can travel with Cruise Whitsundays ferries between Daydream Island and Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie).
Pets are currently not allowed on board the ferries from Daydream Island to Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie).
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| Daydream Island - Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) Ferry Route summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Departure Destination | Whitsunday Islands | |
| Destination | Australia | |
| No. of Operators | 1 | |
| Operators | Cruise Whitsundays | |
| Average Price | £90 | |
| Average Daily Sailings | 9 | |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 63 | |
| Average Sailing Duration | 30 m | |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 30 m | |
| First Ferry | 07:35 | |
| Last Ferry | 21:00 | |
| Distance | 6 Nautical Miles | |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 July 2025.
Forming one of the seven landmasses of the Molle Archipelago found off the north-east coast of Australia is the paradisiac Daydream Island. With broad stretches of sandy beaches overlooking the sapphire-blue sea and thriving coral reefs teeming with exotic marine life, this tiny isle is a magnet for tourists looking to soak up the sun in tropical tranquillity. The port of Daydream Island is found in a small bay on the eastern coast. It consists of a narrow wooden pier that juts out into a slice of ocean sandwiched between the stunning Daydream Reef. It’s little more than a departure point featuring a few sheltered waiting benches, though the nearby resort hotel has plenty of amenities on offer including a restaurant selling hot food and a tourist information point. Due to the small size of the island, travelling to the port is simple. The road outside the entrance to the pier leads in a straight-line from the unique Living Reef aquarium in the north to the quiet beaches in the south. However, due to the lack of public transport and the inability for passengers to bring cars, most of the 1-kilometre long island can only be traversed on foot. One passenger service currently leaves from the port multiple times throughout the day. A Cruise Whitsundays line sails the half hour trip to the Australian mainland town of Airlie, an area of the Queensland region that sits on the rugged shores of Pioneer Bay.
The astonishingly beautiful beaches looking out across the pristine blue horizon have become a mecca for backpackers on a budget, tempted by the increasingly debauched reputation that encapsulates the Whitsundays. Streams of travellers descend on the picturesque scenery and abundance of hostels each year, indulging in drinking games in beer gardens, sunbathing sessions on the golden sands of the beach and explorations of the alluring lagoons. For those who are looking for somewhere fun and frivolous, head to Airlie Beach. In spite of the heavily layered party scene, families looking to escape the relentless hedonism will be happier closer to the town centre. A few quiet lodges lay home to many couples and families with young children, enjoying every minute amid the serenity before embarking on an adventure on the shore or discovering the intricate crevices that form Conway National Park.
Buses will drop you at your hotel or resort, as well as a frequent taxi service running across the region.
