Searoad Ferries opens new terminal early

THE redeveloped Queenscliff Ferry Terminal has a new look for summer, opening early on Friday last week for passengers heading across Port Phillip Bay.

The $15.9 million project is part of the Geelong City Deal but still needs a few finishing touches.

“The building will open prematurely to facilitate the anticipated high visitor numbers this summer,” Searoad Ferries chief executive officer Matt McDonald said last week.

“While not fully complete, the building has passed all safety and compliance tests to enable customers to use the ground floor, including ticketing and a beachside food offering.”

The architecturally-designed, state-of-the-art building sits against the natural backdrop of Port Phillip Bay.

The internal fitout is high on quality and detail with a sophisticated coastal feel and glimpses of the bay are framed by the curve of the building.

The ground floor beachside food venue, TARRA Queenscliff, will offer an interim menu for breakfast and lunc

h with seating options inside the stylish fitout or outside on the boardwalk and open from 7am. Searoads Ferries expects it will quickly become popular with locals and visitors alike.

“We are very excited to finally be opening after what has been a challenging three years,” Mr McDonald said.

“The building will be fully completed and officially launched in March 2023.

“Works to be finished will be the passenger gantry for accessible boarding, a digital immersive experience, and an expanded food offering.”

Searoad Ferries, car and passenger ferry service sails between Queenscliff and Sorrento and is Australia’s busiest vehicle ferry service, with the more than 8,200 crossings annually carrying more than 950,000 passengers.

With big visitor numbers expected this summer, Searoad Ferries is encouraging foot passengers to pre-purchase their tickets online to save waiting in ticketing queues, instead going directly to the boarding gate.

The Searoad Shuttle Bus will also return to take foot passengers beyond the ferry terminals on either side to the towns of Sorrento, Pt Nepean, and Portsea on the Mornington Peninsula, and Queenscliff and Pt Lonsdale on the Bellarine Peninsula.

For more information about the new Queenscliff Ferry Terminal, the Searoad Shuttle or to purchase tickets, head to searoad.com.au