Tea Gardens Ferry

Great relaxing ferry built around 80 years ago but just gently cruises along with the low hum of the engine putting a smile on my face. Fantastic views!

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff.

What an experience. Loved it.

Lovely ride across to Tea Gardens and back. The two guys running the show were friendly and competent. Dolphins came to swim alongside on the way over, and we had rainbows on the way back - couldn’t really ask for more. Online booking easy. The driver had an informative spiel on the way over and pointed out local fauna including white headed sea eagle. Only slight thing is it would have been lovely to have a bit more history from the Aboriginal people pre European settlement. Overall, top notch.

Elevator pitch for the Port Stephens Ferry Service: travel sixty minutes from Nelson Bay to Tea Gardens or vice-versa, in a gorgeous boat with a knowledgeable crew.

When people think of ferry services, I think they think of practical A to B comminuting. Which this is, but it's also terrific fun. Chill out, watch the waves, and catch the last service for an incredible sunset... You may even see dolphins*. Highly recommended.

*If you're lucky! They aren't remote controlled and are a little shy. But keep your eyes peeled and listen to the crew!

Great little Ferry from Nelson Bay to Tea Gardens and back. Very friendly & informative crew. Relax with a great view all around. Lots of birds & dolphins too.

What a fun trip to Tea Gardens for lunch. We even got to see Dolphins 🐬 on the way there. The whole family had a great time 😊👍

Although the ferry was quite old, it was comfortable and enjoyable. The staff were friendly, ensuring all aboard had a wonderful cruise.

Great, affordable service for the whole family. Take a trip to Tea Gardens / Nelson Bay. Dolphins sighted on nearly every trip year round. Toilet on board. Free maps given out. The captain provides interesting facts about Port Stephens and the surrounding towns. Past Oyster farms and nature reserves. Beautiful! Approx 1hr each way.

Highly recommend this as a fun way to get between Tea Gardens and Nelson Bay. The staff were friendly and it's a lovely relaxing trip.

had an excellent time. crew is helpful and jolly and ferry is fun. managed to travel on each returning from Nelson Bay on sunset cruise. had picnic on this cruise as the sum set, beautiful. bring your own food to finish the experience
thank you.

A wonderful experience for anyone visiting Tea Gardens or Nelson Bay!
The staff are amazing and ever so accommodating, highly recommend for all ages.

The ferry is from 1935! Beautiful old boat and scenic journey to Tea Gardens. Would definitely recommend.

Top service very friendly staff, we had two crews on the trips. It was a top day and lovely relaxing way to spend an hour each way looking along the river and then the bay. Plenty of bird life and saw several Dolphins.
Plus the majestic old boat.

Saw a whole bunch of dolphins during our sunset cruise and it was AMAZING. Highly recommended if you ever come to Nelson Bay!

Great boat ride from Nelson Bay to Tea Gardens and back
Saw dolphins along the way
Highly recommend

Lovely cruising across the bay. Skipper was great and spent extra time for us to dolphin watch.

A Pleasant and great value trip across to Tea Gardens

Great service afternoon return trip we saw dolphins too...

Such a great way to get to Tea Gardens. Saw lots of dolphins… we got looked after by the staff, we even got spoilt with freshly made scone, cream and jam

No probs. Booked in and had a very pleasant experience with a good captain from Tea Garden to Nelson Bay

Johan and James were lovely hosts, and their music playlist was great too - Thank you both!! The ferry trip was relaxing and visually stunning. We even spotted some dolphins along the way. I highly recommend taking the ferry!! Personally I didn’t find much to do in Tea Gardens, and two hours there was more than enough time. The ice cream shop there is great though.