A new ferry and upgrades to approach roads will seek to address the issue of lengthy waiting times at the Daintree Ferry in the peak tourism season. These measures will also improve the level of service for regular ferry users.
In August 2022, Douglas Shire Council resolved to replace the existing Daintree Ferry with a single ferry capable of increased loading capability and associated landside infrastructure upgrades on both riverbanks.
The aim is to increase in the number of vehicles carried across the river every hour to offer a better tourism experience for visitors and reduced travel time for locals.
The landside infrastructure contract will be awarded after the 29 April Council resolution and will commence with detailed design. North and South infrastructure works will commence in 2026 after the wet season and ferry loading ramps will be completed concurrently with ferry replacement at the end of 2027.
The new ferry tender closed as of 9 April 2025. Council approved a recommendation to award the design, construction and operation of the new Daintree River ferry at a Special Council Meeting in August 2025. The official media release can be viewed here.
Updates have been provided to Councillors and the public at Ordinary Council Meetings.
These can also be viewed below
Concept Design Gallery: Use the arrow below to change image
Statistics
Council has been collecting data on the usage of the Daintree Ferry since 2004. Below you’ll find graphs depicting total annual ticket sales of one-way and return traffic for the two most popular vehicle types using the ferry.
Council also records data for a variety of other vehicle types, concessional travel and multi-day tickets.
Additional Information:
- October 2024 – New Daintree River Ferry to Reduce Waiting Times with Larger Vessel
- October 2023 – Search For New Ferry Supplier/ Operator Underway
- August 2022 – Council Endorses Daintree Ferry Replacement Project
- August 2022 – Daintree Ferry Crossing Solution – click here
- June 2022 – Daintree Ferry Northern Ramp Replacement
- September 2021 – Daintree River Ferry Probity Report – click here
- May 2021 – Daintree River Ferry Service Contract – click here
- May 2021 – Daintree Ferry Purchase – click here
- November 2020 – Compass Research Report – Bridge/Ferry Survey – click here
- November 2020 – Bridge Or Ferry Submissions – click here
- August 2020 – Daintree River Crossing Options Assessment Report – click here
