**Daintree Ferry opening 10:30am Today, Monday 13 March 2023**
The Daintree Ferry will be able to re-open today at 10:30am after a successful mandatory inspection and the extra repair works at the weekend.
Douglas Shire Council staff and contractors worked around the clock to ensure the vessel could return to the water as quickly as possible.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has renewed the vessel’s operating certificate and the vessel is safely running across the Daintree River.
Kerbside Bin Collection
Waste bins due for service will continue on Monday 13 March 2023.
Recycling services for eligible areas north of the river will take place on Tuesday 14 March 2023
Daintree Ferry Update Friday 10 March 2023
Daintree Ferry on track for Tuesday re-opening
The Daintree Ferry is on track to re-open by 5am Tuesday with repairs to the vessel’s hull progressing well.
Crews are finishing various maintenance tasks on the vessel to ensure a safe continuity of access across the Daintree River for locals and visitors.
Council has a team of staff and contractors who have worked non-stop since the vessel stopped operating at 12.01am on Monday 6 March 2023 and are working to re-open the ferry crossing as soon as possible.
A further update will be posted by 5pm Monday.
Daintree Ferry Update Wednesday 8 March 2023
Daintree Ferry closure extended until Tuesday 14 March 2023
The Daintree Ferry will remain closed until at least 5am Tuesday next week due to the discovery of excessive corrosion underneath the vessel.
Onsite specialist crews will now be required to complete additional welding and painting to ensure the vessel can safely operate and provide a continuous service across the Daintree River for now and into the future.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) was conducting its five-yearly, out-of-water safety inspection when it discovered the excessive corrosion on the vessel’s hull.
The inspector advised the damaged hull needs to be repaired before an operating certificate is issued and the ferry can safely return to the water.
The Daintree Ferry service will cease at 12.01am on Monday 6 March 2023 and resume again at 5am on Saturday 11 March 2023.
The ferry is scheduled to be taken out of the water for Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) mandatory out of water inspection. AMSA inspections for this vessel are required every five years and the last one was done in March 2018.
Douglas Shire Council is also taking the opportunity to do further maintenance work.
There will not be a public vehicle ferry service for the closure period.
Passenger Vessel
A 50-person passenger vessel will operate from the public pontoon near the crocodile cruise terminal at the ferry crossing on the southern bank of the Daintree River. The vessel will pick up and drop passengers on the northern side near the usual vehicle loading ramp.The service will operate continuously across the river from 6am to 6pm these hours.
Car parking
Free car parking is available on both sides of the river.
On the southern side, people may park their cars at the crocodile cruise terminal near the vehicle ferry crossing. On the northern side, parking will be available near the amenities block and along Cape Tribulation Road. Council will provide 24/7 security and daylight traffic management on the northern side.
Emergency services have made appropriate plans which includes officers deployed to the area north of the Daintree River for the closure period. In the case of an emergency, please call Triple Zero (000).
School Buses
Please contact your service provider.
Kerbside Bin Collection
Waste bins due for service will continue on Monday 13 March 2023.
Recycling services for eligible areas north of the river will take place on Tuesday 14 March 2023
Cow Bay Transfer Station will be operating as usual.
Questions?
Please contact gaye.scott@douglas.qld.gov.au or telephone Gaye on 4099 9414 if you have any questions.
In August 2022, Council collected feedback from the community about the previous five-day closure and held two drop-in sessions in Cape Tribulation and Diwan. The dates were announced in September 2022 and a further drop-in session and opportunity to provide feedback was held in December 2022.
Project Updates
DECEMBER, 2022
Council Drop In Sessions
Council is seeking feedback on the arrangements made for the November three-day closure of the ferry needed to replace the northern ramp.
Council staff will be based at Daintree Peaks Eco Stays at 22 Ironbark Road, Diwan, on Tuesday 13 December 2022 and people are welcome to drop in anytime between 10am and midday.
The purpose for inviting feedback is to understand if Council can improve on any aspects. The ferry is scheduled to be taken out of the water again next year, 6-10 March 2023, for Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) mandatory out of water inspection. AMSA inspections for this vessel are required every five years and the last one was done in March 2018.
You may provide feedback by emailing gaye.scott@douglas.qld.gov.au or you can pop in and talk to Council officers.
