Tap on at Queens Wharf at ten on a Tuesday morning and the crossing to Stockton costs an adult $2.31; do it at eight and it is $3.30. It is the only ferry on the Opal network with an off-peak fare, and at five minutes wharf to wharf it is also one of the shortest.
Transport for NSW timetable valid 10 August to 10 October 2026 (reissued without changes from 28 September), matched against Newcastle Transport's own timetable from 10 August 2026 and the Transport for NSW Trip Planner for 26, 27 and 29 September and 2, 4 and 11 October 2026; read on 25 September 2026 Transport for NSW – Stkn Stockton Ferry timetable, 10 August to 10 October 2026 (PDF) · 2026-09-25
Board at Queens Wharf in the city or at Stockton Wharf across the water, tap your card, and step off five minutes later. The Stockton ferry is Newcastle's harbour crossing, run by Newcastle Transport for Transport for NSW, and it works more like a bus route than a harbour cruise: fixed departures from before five in the morning, a boat every 15 minutes in the weekday peaks, every 20 minutes through the middle of the day and every half hour in the evening.
The first weekday boat leaves Stockton at 04:55 and Queens Wharf at 05:05; the last pair is 23:00 from the city and 23:05 from Stockton. Friday and Saturday add a late pair each way, with the last crossing leaving Stockton at 00:05. Saturday starts at 05:05 from Stockton, and Sunday and public holidays run from 08:20 to 22:05.
The timetable was rebuilt on 10 August 2026, when Newcastle Transport added 19 trips a week and moved the first boat earlier every day. A smaller change follows on Sunday 11 October, when two Sunday departures from Queens Wharf shift. Both the old and new versions are published by Transport for NSW, and its Trip Planner already reflects each.
The Stockton ferry has its own line in the Opal fare tables, separate from the Sydney Ferries bands, and it is the one ferry on the network where Transport for NSW's off-peak discount applies. Opal, a contactless credit or debit card and a phone all work, tapped on and off as on any Newcastle bus or light rail service.
Transport for NSW's peak-time page lists windows for trains, buses and light rail but none for this ferry. In the planner, crossings from Monday to Thursday at 06:55, 08:00 and 15:20 were charged at the peak fare, and those at 06:25, 10:00, 15:00 and 19:35 at the off-peak one, which matches the bus and light rail peaks of 6:30am to 10am and 3pm to 7pm. Friday is off-peak from the first boat to the last, and so are Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
| Adult | $ 3.30 |
| Child or Youth | $ 1.65 |
| Concession | $ 1.65 |
| Gold Senior or Pensioner | $ 1.65 |
| Adult | $ 2.31 |
| Child or Youth | $ 1.15 |
| Concession | $ 1.15 |
| Gold Senior or Pensioner | $ 1.15 |
| Gold Senior or Pensioner, all travel | $ 2.50 |
| Adult, Friday to Sunday and public holidays | $ 9.65 |
Opal fares published by Transport for NSW, read on 25 September 2026 and confirmed against the peak and off-peak fares its Trip Planner charged for Stockton crossings on 26 and 29 September and 2 October 2026 Transport for NSW – Opal fares, Newcastle Stockton ferry · 2026-09-25
Queens Wharf faces Stockton across the harbour, and the planner measures the crossing at 639 metres. By road the two are much further apart: the 55N night bus, which covers for the ferry in the small hours at weekends, runs from Wharf Road through Hamilton, Tighes Hill and Fern Bay and takes 43 minutes to reach Fullerton Street in Stockton. Down on the Central Coast, the Brisbane Water ferry from Woy Woy is still waiting for the Opal readers this boat already has; the state's other ferries, most of them in Sydney, are listed on the New South Wales page.
The city end, on Wharf Road. It is the one wharf of the two with an Opal machine that accepts cash and cards alike, so buy or top up here if you need to. Its access rating is Independent, with staff to help at the ramp. The Queens Wharf light rail stop is about 150 metres away, and the 55N night bus leaves from Wharf Road.
Stockton's wharf has what Queens Wharf lacks: a commuter car park, a taxi rank, an accessible parking space and bike racks, plus connections to buses 136 to Raymond Terrace and three school routes. There is no Opal machine on this side, so have a card or phone ready to tap before you walk down. Like the city end, it is rated for independent access.
Newcastle Transport allows bicycles and surfboards on the Stockton ferry, with storage areas the crew will point out. You stay with your bike during the crossing, and the crew can refuse one if there is no safe space.
Animals other than approved assistance animals must be in a box, basket or container, need staff permission, and on the ferry should stay out of the enclosed cabin unless there is no outdoor area.
The Opal machine that takes cash and cards is at Queens Wharf. Stockton Wharf has no machine listed, so a card or phone that taps is the easy option there.
On late Friday and Saturday nights a 55N bus runs from Queens Wharf to Stockton in the small hours, long after the last 00:00 sailing. Its departure time differs between Newcastle Transport's timetable and its website, so check the Trip Planner on the night.
From Sunday 11 October 2026 the 11:10 from Queens Wharf moves to 11:50 and the 18:45 to 19:30. The rest of the week is unchanged.
This is not Sydney, and several habits learnt on the Mosman Bay boat and its harbour neighbours do not carry over. There is no F-number and no distance band: the Stockton ferry has its own Opal line, $3.30 at peak and $2.31 off-peak for an adult. So a Friday or a mid-morning crossing really does cost less than a peak-hour one, something no Sydney harbour boat offers.
What the ferry replaces is a long drive. Stockton faces the city centre across the harbour, and the road route goes inland and round; the 55N bus that stands in for the ferry late at night takes 43 minutes for the trip the boat does in five. It is also why Stockton Wharf has a commuter car park and bike racks beside it.
For an adult on Opal or a contactless card, $3.30 at peak and $2.31 off-peak. Child, youth, concession and Gold Senior/Pensioner fares are $1.65 at peak and $1.15 off-peak, and Gold card holders stop paying at $2.50 in a day.
Any time on a Friday, a weekend day or a public holiday, and outside peak times from Monday to Thursday. In the Trip Planner, crossings at 06:55, 08:00 and 15:20 on a Tuesday were charged the peak fare and those at 06:25, 10:00, 15:00 and 19:35 the off-peak fare.
From Monday to Thursday, 23:00 from Queens Wharf and 23:05 from Stockton. Friday and Saturday finish later, with 00:00 from Queens Wharf and 00:05 from Stockton. On Sundays and public holidays, 22:00 and 22:05.
At 04:55 from Monday to Friday, reaching Queens Wharf at 05:00. On Saturday the first is 05:05, and on Sundays and public holidays 08:20.
Yes. Newcastle Transport allows both and has storage areas on board; ask the crew where they are. You must stay with your bike, and the crew can refuse it if there is not enough safe space.
Not a ferry, but on late Friday and Saturday nights a 55N bus runs from Queens Wharf on Wharf Road to Stockton by road. It takes about 43 minutes, against five on the water.
Only two Sunday and public-holiday departures from Queens Wharf: 11:10 becomes 11:50 and 18:45 becomes 19:30. Weekday, Saturday and all Stockton departures stay the same.