Daydream Island – Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie)
Ferry to Australia
Daydream Island – Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie)
Ferry to Australia
Daydream Island Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) ferry prices tend to range between £45* and £161*. The average price for ferries from Daydream Island Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) is typically £91*. The cheapest Daydream Island Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) ferry prices start from £45*. The average foot passenger price is £91*.
Pricing will vary depending on the number of passengers, vehicle type, route and sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over the last 30 days and is exclusive of service fees, last updated October 25.
You can easily find cheap ferry tickets with our Deal Finder. We recommend booking in advance to get the best possible prices and availability. You can also check out our Special Offers page for the latest deals on Daydream Island ferries.
Yes, Direct Ferries offers a wide range of discounts all year around. When searching for ferries, senior discounts will be automatically applied if they are available. Just select your age range from the passenger options.
Students and graduates can get a 5% discount on ferry tickets. To take advantage of the discount, you need to register with our partner Student Beans and confirm your student or graduate status. You will then receive a discount code which can be entered during the payment process.
Resident discounts are available on a variety of Spanish and Italian ferry routes. Just click on the "Residents" option when this is displayed in our Deal Finder. The discount is automatically applied to the price. Bear in mind that proof of registration or an identity card with the correct address must be shown at check-in.
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.
Yes, you can take a day trip between Daydream Island and Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie). Day trips from Daydream Island to Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) by ferry are very popular due to the short journey time and many daily crossings. If possible, taking a vehicle is also a good way to explore the surrounding area outside the harbour at your own pace.
No, ferry operators currently do not allow cars to travel on sailings between Daydream Island and Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie).
Whether you can bring your campervan on the ferry from Daydream Island to Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) depends on several factors like the ship & operator of your preferred crossing. For more information on travelling with campervans & caravans on ferries, use our Deal Finder or visit our blog, where you can find practical tips & travel inspiration for your next adventure.
Currently, you cannot take your bicycle on board any ferries from Daydream Island to 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).
Use our Deal Finder to find out whether your preferred ferry is an overnight ferry. Here you can also find the current ferry timetables and crossing times. Please note that the duration of the night ferries are usually slightly longer than that of the day ferries.
Travel requirements can vary depending on the route, so it's important to check what documents you'll need before sailing. In most cases, a valid passport is required when traveling from Daydream Island to Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie), along with any necessary visas or national ID cards. Requirements may differ based on your nationality and the destination country’s regulations. To avoid delays at check-in, you can find helpful information for your journey in our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide and in our blog post on tips and tricks for international travel.
Book your ferry tickets online with Direct Ferries using our Deal Finder. Just enter your departure and arrival ports and the date you’d like to travel to see all available options and prices. You’ll also be able to view alternative routes and times, so you can find the best deal to suit you.
Look out for early booking discounts or special ticket options such as upgrades or flexi-tickets that allow you to change or cancel your booking. To make your sailing as smooth as possible, make sure you enter all the required information correctly, such as number of passengers and vehicle specifications.
Once you’ve finalised your booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email. It depends on the ferry operator you book with as to how your boarding pass is issued and collected.
Whilst some ferry operators issue the boarding pass as soon as your booking is confirmed, others may ask you to check in at the port. There’s also the option for online check-in, which can be easily done via the Direct Ferries app, if available.
The ticket desks are usually located near the ferry terminals. To avoid any delays at the port, we’d recommend allowing some extra time to collect your tickets and to check-in.
During check-in, you must show your email confirmation, as well as an official photo ID, such as a passport or identity card. You might also be asked to provide documentation for your pet (vaccines, pet insurance etc.) or proof of residence, if you have booked your ticket with a resident discount.
There could be various reasons why there are no departures from Daydream Island to Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) for the date you’ve requested. For example, a temporary timetable change, limited availability or seasonal changes in the timetable.
We recommend checking for alternative dates. Our Deal Finder automatically compares the desired route with alternative routes and dates, offering up-to-date real time options, all in one place.
The best time to book ferries from Daydream Island to Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) is usually as early as possible. By booking in advance, you’ll not only get your tickets at the best available prices, but you’ll also get a better choice of departure times and cabin/seating options.
We’d recommend making your booking at least a few weeks in advance to benefit from the best offers. Bear in mind that prices may vary depending on the season and availability.
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| Daydream Island - Airlie Beach (Port of Airlie) Ferry Route Summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Whitsunday Islands | |
| Destination | Australia | |
| No. of Operators | 1 | |
| Operators | Cruise Whitsundays | |
| Average Price | £91 | |
| 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 October 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.
