Douglas Shire Council has officially approved a recommendation to award the design, construction and operation of the new Daintree River ferry to a company which has previously designed, built and delivered ferries for Sydney Harbour.
Birdon Pty Ltd will deliver a four-lane ferry that will dramatically improve efficiency and reduce wait times for residents and visitors crossing the Daintree River. The new ferry will replace the ageing three-lane ferry, which is nearing the end of its life.
Birdon operates seven cable-draw vehicle ferries at six crossings in the greater Sydney region for Transport for NSW.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the announcement marks a major milestone in the highly-anticipated upgrade.
“This is a huge step forward for our community. Birdon has delivered ferries from their Port Macquarie shipyard on behalf of Transport for NSW and we’re excited to see their expertise brought to the Daintree River,” Mayor Scomazzon said.
“The new four-lane ferry will significantly reduce queue lengths and provide a more reliable and efficient service for locals, tourists, and businesses.”
The decision was made at a Special Council Meeting held at the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre on Tuesday, 12 August 2025.
The ferry will be privately owned and operated under an initial agreement of 20 years.
The new vessel will be supported by upgraded landside infrastructure (being designed and constructed by Durack Civil) to streamline loading and unloading, further enhancing the experience for passengers.
Completion is scheduled for December 2027 to coincide with the arrival of the new ferry.
