Can I take my hire car on the Queenscliff ferry?
While you should always confirm with your rental car provider, chances are most will allow you to take your hire car on the Queenscliff to Sorrento ferry.
Read on for all the details.
Queenscliff is a popular resort town located inside the entrance to Port Phillip on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula. Surrounded by water on three sides, Queenscliff is home to pristine beaches and expansive coastlines with waters perfect for scuba diving. So whether you’re looking to make your way from beach to beach, enjoy the world-class restaurants, or simply to take in the sights, it might seem like a great add-on to a Melbourne road trip, but the question is, can you take your rental car on the ferry?
Getting to Queenscliff with a rental car
The Queenscliff ferry operates between Queenscliff to the west and Sorrento to the east, with a crossing taking around 45 minutes to an hour (depending on weather conditions). All the ferries are easy to board, with drive on/drive off capabilities, and with no turning required. Tickets for both walk-on passengers and those with a vehicle can be easily booked online through Searoad Ferries, though note that as space for vehicles is limited, booking in advance is prudent.
As the Queenscliff ferry does not service any offshore islands, its route is classified as part of the Australian road network. This means that rental cars are usually allowed to travel on the ferry, though you will need to confirm this with your rental provider.
If you’re visiting from Melbourne, you can collect a rental car from the airport or the city, then head down to Queenscliff at your own pace. There are plenty of rental providers in Victoria, each with their own policies, so make sure to find out whether they will allow their vehicles to be taken on the Queenscliff ferry before you make your booking.
For further info on renting a car, check out our guide to renting in Australia.
Getting around Queenscliff
Luckily, getting around Queenscliff is super easy. Once the ferry docks at the harbour, simply follow Wharf Street East onto Hesse Street, where many of Queenscliff’s hotels, cafes, and shops can be found.
Top attractions in Queenscliff
Point Nepean National Park:
Before taking the ferry to Queenscliff, set the tone for your journey by setting aside some time to visit Point Nepean National Park. While there, discover historic forts, wander beautiful trails, and relax on impressive beaches — all just a short drive from downtown Melbourne.
Fort Queenscliff
Dating back to 1860, Fort Queenscliff was established as a defensive position to protect the city of Melbourne. Overlooking the entrance to Port Phillip, the fort was continually manned for coastal defence purposes until 1946. Explore the Fort and learn about the history of the area before checking out the nearby Queenscliff Lighthouse.
Queenscliff Harbour
Filled with a range of restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops, Queenscliff Harbour is the place to be. Whether you’re looking to enjoy some quality seafood at sunset, to go boating along the water, or be pampered at the spa, you’ll find it all right here.
