FAQs

Sandy Bay is an important inclusion to the Greater Derwent Ferry services route network. The location will provide important linkages with the Eastern Shore and education services and other facilities in the Sandy Bay area.

Sandy Bay is also home to some key tourist attractions and a key event destination so providing more transport connectivity will help reduce road congestion into and through the city.

The shoreline from Sullivans Cove to lower Sandy Bay was assessed and identified four potential sites for a ferry terminal.

A multi-criteria assessment was used which considered a range of maritime factors including but not limited to water depth, prevailing weather conditions and shoreline accessibility.

A scoring matrix then ranked each site for suitability and this is what has informed site selection to date.

The next method of assessment involves community engagement.

Access to this site would require a change in current private access provisions and use of the area that would represent a significant impact on the site owner's operations.

The City of Hobart has actively engaged with the site owner/lessee in respect to the potential use of its land for a Sandy Bay ferry terminal. However, this process has highlighted that access to this site would require a change in current private access provisions and that the use of the area would encumber the site and represent a significant impact on the owners/lessee's operations. Accordingly, the owner/lessee has declined the opportunity.

The new ferry terminal would be one of three to be built as part of expansion plans for River Derwent ferry services. The other two are planned for Wilkinsons Point in Glenorchy and Natone Bay in Lindisfarne.

Lords Beach has been chosen as the preferred site because:

• Hutchins School, Fahan School, Mount Carmel College and the University of Tasmania are within 1km walking distance
• it's close proximity to recreational areas including University of Tasmania sporting facilities
• proximity to Wrest Point Casino which is a high-volume tourism attraction and event venue
• an existing bus stop is already close by
• high visibility for commuter access from Sandy Bay Road as well as linkages to a popular cycleway
• it is next to a large commuter catchment area, with approximately 750 homes within 1km of the ferry terminal
• the site has street parking along Sandy Bay Road which would allow for pick-up and drop off area.

The ferry service will be run by the Tasmanian Government. The City's role is to support the ferry service through the provision of local infrastructure.

To this effect, there will be integration between Metro bus services and all ferry terminal sites across Greater Hobart to reduce the need for onsite or nearby car parking provisions.

The City is able to introduce controls, such as parking limitations, that reduce access to all-day parking for non-residents.

Clarence City Council has taken similar measures in the area surrounding the current ferry terminal site in Bellerive, providing a useful case-study for the Sandy Bay terminal site.

Plans for the new ferry terminal include bike storage and a walkway taking passengers out over the water to a boarding ramp.

Part of the terminal will sit out over the water and include large double-glazed windows to make the most of the scenic location.

See the 'models' widget for a mock-up. 

The State Government and Greater Hobart Councils have been advocating for, and progressing, an expansion of the Derwent River Ferry service for many years. 

The following chronology details this journey:

February 2025

Clarence City Council unanimously approves the redevelopment of the ferry terminal at Bellerive Pier.

December 2024

Hobart City Council provides approval for Lords Beach, Sandy Bay to be the location for a new passenger ferry terminal subject to the engagement with property owners in close proximity to the proposed development and the attainment of a planning permit for the use and development.

October 2024

2024 Hobart Children's Mayor, Lola Mennitz's submission advocates for a service that links both side of the river and the northern and southern suburbs complimenting Metro bus services.

June 2024

Hobart City Council provides in principle approval for the establishment of a new passenger ferry terminal at Sandy Bay, with the approval of the terminal site to be considered and agreed by the Council at a future meeting, once it has been determined.

February 2024

Tasmanian Government announces a $20 million commitment to support the expansion of the River Derwent terminal network.

January 2024

Greater Hobart Mayors call on the Tasmanian Government to deliver a $26 million ferry infrastructure package to complete the River Derwent terminal network.

January 2024

300 000 passengers have boarded a ferry since the service commenced in 2021.

November 2023

Greater Hobart Mayors welcome the release of the River Derwent Ferry Service Draft Masterplan

April 2022

Greater Hobart councils successfully advocate for $20 million as part of the Federal Election for new terminals at Lindisfarne, Sandy Bay and Wilkinsons Point.

January 2022

Announcement that the River Derwent Ferry Service trial is to continue beyond the initial 12-month trial period.

December 2021 to February 2022

City of Hobart funds free Saturday ferry service between Hobart and Bellerive as part of a COVID-19 support package for local businesses.

December 2021

Extra ferry services to support the Ashes Test.

August 2021

One-year trial commences to establish demand for a ferry service between Hobart and Bellerive.

April 2018

Hobart City Council reaffirms its support for a River Derwent ferry service.

A meeting is requested with the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the progress of the Tasmanian Government's plan for trans-Derwent ferries, initially between Bellerive and Sullivans Cove.

October 2017

Hobart City Council requests the Tasmanian Government to progress its Southern Integrated Transport Plan 2010 particularly in areas of multi-modal integrated ticketing, real time transport data and connected transport routes.

Hobart City Council seeks a commitment from STCA and particularly neighbouring councils to resource a joint study to examine the potential for development around a number of ferry centric nodes in a way that provides density (demand), attractions (visitors), amenity (cafes and other services) and links to transport, walks, etc with each having a unique and locally appropriate character.

Hobart City Council seeks a commitment, in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding, from the Tasmanian Government and neighbouring councils to jointly undertake a business case for proceeding with the most promising options for a River Derwent ferry service.

Hobart City Council commit to contribute up to $20 000 for a potential joint study on existing docking facilities and the development of ferry centric nodes and a joint business case for a River Derwent ferry service.

July 2017

Hobart City Council hosts a roundtable of stakeholders to discuss a River Derwent ferry service. SGS Economics and Planning prepared a report on the outcomes of the roundtable.

September 2016

The Council convene a roundtable of stakeholders to progress discussions on the development of a River Derwent ferry service.

May 2016

Notice of Motion lodged with Hobart City Council requesting a report investigating what information and evidence would be required to test the viability of a River Derwent ferry service.

The Tasmanian Government has created a draft River Derwent Ferry Service Masterplan to guide the expansion of ferry services on the River Derwent.

It proposes potential new ferry sites and services.

As well as Hobart and Bellerive, the masterplan identifies suggested locations for new ferry services, such as:

• Lindisfarne*
• Howrah
• Wilkinsons Point
• Sandy Bay*
• Regatta Point
• Kingston Beach.

The draft masterplan was prepared and found sites in both Sandy Bay and Lindisfarne and that have since been updated.

Find more information on the River Derwent Ferry Service Expansion page.