Magnetic Island Ferries

What Magnetic Island Ferries does

Magnetic Island Ferries operates the only vehicle ferry service connecting Townsville (Ross Street, South Townsville, Queensland) to Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island, an 8-kilometre crossing taking 35-40 minutes. The company runs three vessels — M.V. Arcadia (up to 23 cars and 150 passengers), M.V. Magnetic (up to 23 cars and 98 passengers) and M.V. Jubilee (a landing craft for bulk goods) — operating 365 days per year and transporting 120,000+ passengers annually. As well as walk-on passenger and drive-on/drive-off vehicle transport (cars, motorcycles, caravans, trucks), the company offers secure terminal parking at the Townsville terminal ($9/day), dangerous goods transport (fuel, LPG), charter services, and the Walk-on MultiPass (10 one-way trips). A new self-service online booking platform launched in July 2026 enables fee-free booking changes and QR-code ticketing, replacing the previous phone-heavy reservation model.

The business operates as a direct-to-consumer, transaction-based service. Revenue streams include vehicle ferry fares (starting from $276 return for a standard car), walk-on passenger fares ($37 adult return with concession and resident variants), terminal parking, weekly-reviewed fuel levies, charter hires, and dangerous goods freight. Pricing is segmented by passenger type (adult/student/child/pensioner/senior), by resident status (verified Magnetic Island residents receive ~35% off standard vehicle fares, reducing to ~25% in peak), and by sailing (the new Magnetic Saver offers ~25% off on selected quieter sailings). Customers fall into four segments: tourists and day-trippers, Magnetic Island residents, commercial and supply transport (food, fuel, gas, construction materials), and event/community organisers, with distribution running through online self-service, phone reservations and walk-in counter sales.

The legal entity is Riverside Marine Townsville Pty Ltd (ACN 010 961 690), operating under the trading name Magnetic Island Ferries. Originally acquired by Riverside Marine in 1990 (then named Capricorn Barge Company Pty Ltd), the business became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bhagwan Marine Limited (ASX: BWN) on 1 April 2026, gaining capital backing from a diversified Australian marine solutions operator. Operations are headquartered at the Townsville terminal with a secondary operations presence at Nelly Bay Marina on Magnetic Island, and the company employs approximately 5 people across the team.

Name

Magnetic Island Ferries

Legal name

Riverside Marine Townsville Pty Ltd

Website

https://magneticislandferries.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Magnetic Island Ferries is the sole vehicle ferry operator connecting Townsville to Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island, Queensland, transporting 120,000+ passengers annually via three RO-RO vessels and serving tourists, island residents, and commercial freight customers with vehicle, walk-on, parking, charter and dangerous goods services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Passenger and Vehicle Ferry Transportation

NAICS

Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger Transportation (483114), Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation (4831)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Island & Archipelago Ferry Services (THAEAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Passenger Ro-Ro Ferries (Vehicle + Passenger) (THAIAJAF), Island & Remote Community Ferry Services (THAIAJAG)

Keywords

• Passenger ferry services
• Vehicle ferry transport
• Roll-on roll-off ferry
• Marine transport services
• Island ferry operations

Headquarters

HQ city

South Townsville

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Vehicle Ferry Fares: Revenue from drive-on, drive-off vehicle transport. Standard car fares start from $276.00 return, with pricing based on vehicle size and length. Peak season rates apply during Queensland school holidays and public holidays.
2. Walk-on Passenger Fares: Revenue from foot passengers travelling without vehicles. Adult return fares at $37, with discounts for students, children, pensioners and seniors. MultiPass offers 10 one-way trips at $128 for adults.
3. Terminal Parking: Secure parking at Townsville terminal at $9.00 per calendar day, charged per part day. 24/7 CCTV surveillance, fully fenced with security patrols.
4. Charter Services: Vessels available for charter for private events, functions, or dedicated services.
5. Fuel Levy: Weekly reviewed fuel surcharge added to vehicle bookings based on marine fuel pricing (e.g., $9.50 return per vehicle as of May 2026).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Magnetic Island Ferries operates the only vehicle ferry service connecting Townsville to Magnetic Island, providing drive-on, drive-off (RO-RO) vehicle transport and walk-on passenger services across an 8-kilometre, 35–40 minute crossing, 365 days per year. The service is delivered via three vessels — M.V. Arcadia (up to 23 cars, 150 passengers), M.V. Magnetic (up to 23 cars, 98 passengers), and M.V. Jubilee landing craft for bulk goods — and is supplemented by secure terminal parking, a MultiPass prepaid walk-on pass, the Magnetic Saver discounted fare program, dangerous goods sailings, charter hire, and dedicated Island Resident rates.

Product overview

Magnetic Island Ferries operates as the sole vehicle ferry connecting Townsville to Magnetic Island, offering a comprehensive marine transport service through three purpose-built vessels: the M.V. Arcadia (primary Roll On/Roll Off vessel), M.V. Magnetic (support vessel), and M.V. Jubilee (landing craft for bulk goods). The core offering comprises vehicle ferry services (cars, motorcycles, caravans, trailers, trucks) and walk-on passenger services, supplemented by a range of modules and programs including the Magnetic Saver discounted fare program, Walk-on MultiPass, secure parking, dangerous goods transport, charter services, content creator partnerships, community sponsorship, and island resident accounts. As of April 2026, the business became part of Bhagwan Marine Limited (ASX: BWN).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Walk-on Passenger Services Ferry passage for foot passengers without a vehicle, with adult, student, child, pensioner, senior, defence, family, infant, and MultiPass fare options on the Townsville–Magnetic Island crossing.
• Vehicle Ferry Services Drive-on, drive-off RO-RO vehicle transport for cars, motorcycles, caravans, trailers, trucks, commercial vehicles and oversized machinery, priced by vehicle length and type, with up to five passengers included on standard fares.
• Walk-on MultiPass Prepaid 10 one-way walk-on trips available in adult, child/pension/senior, student, and island-resident variants, providing a discounted per-trip rate for frequent passengers.
• Secure Terminal Parking 24/7 CCTV-monitored, fully fenced overnight parking at the South Townsville terminal with security patrols, charged per calendar day with general, island-resident, and resident pensioner rates.
• Dangerous Goods Transport Dedicated ferry sailings for transporting fuel, LPG, and other dangerous goods to Magnetic Island, with four allocated services per week requiring 72-hour advance booking and Maritime Safety Queensland approval.
• Charter Services Private charter of ferry vessels for events, weddings, corporate functions, or dedicated services on Magnetic Island, with enquiries handled via online form.
• Island Resident Accounts Verified Magnetic Island resident accounts unlocking reduced vehicle fares (approximately 35% off standard, around 25% in peak), reduced parking rates, and 10% off MultiPass purchases.

Quantifiable outcome

• 120,000+ passengers transported annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Magnetic Island Community CareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization supported through sponsorship program for events and initiatives benefiting the Magnetic Island community.
• AdventurethonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdventure sports event on Magnetic Island supported through sponsorship program, helping transport participants and event staff.
• Sealink Race WeekminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSailing regatta event supported through sponsorship program, promoting visitation to Magnetic Island.
• Townsville Hospital FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable organization supported through sponsorship including travel sponsorship and fundraising prizes.
• Guide Dogs AustraliaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable organization supported through sponsorship including travel sponsorship and fundraising prizes.
• Surf Life Saving AustraliaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWater safety organization supported through sponsorship including travel sponsorship and fundraising prizes.
• St Vincent de PaulminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable organization supported through sponsorship including travel sponsorship and fundraising prizes.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Reef Fleet Terminal operators (Cairns): Multiple operators running reef and island transfers from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal. Comparable as regional Queensland marine tourism ferry operators serving Great Barrier Reef visitors with similar pricing, scheduling, and tourist demographics.
• Fantasea Cruises (Great Barrier Reef): Operates reef and island cruises from Port Douglas, Cairns, and the Whitsundays. Comparable as a Queensland-based marine tourism operator leveraging Great Barrier Reef visitation, though primarily scenic/cruise rather than point-to-point transit.
• Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises: Catamaran ferry and reef cruise operator from Cairns to Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Comparable as a Queensland marine tourism ferry operator using similar vessel classes and tourist-day-trip business model.

Broad incumbents

• Transdev Sydney Ferries: Operates Sydney Harbour passenger ferries under contract to Transport for NSW. Comparable as a large-scale Australian passenger ferry operator, though operates in urban-commuter rather than island/regional tourism contexts.
• Kelsian Group (parent of SeaLink): ASX-listed parent of SeaLink, Australia's largest ferry and bus operator with extensive marine tourism assets. Comparable as a publicly listed acquirer/operator of island ferry businesses similar in profile to Magnetic Island Ferries.

Direct peers

• Matilda Ferries: Operates vehicle ferries between Brisbane and the Bay Islands (Russell, Macleay, Lamb). Directly comparable Australian vehicle ferry operator serving island communities with similar resident-discounted pricing and tourism flows.
• SeaLink Queensland (Kelsian Group): Operates passenger and vehicle ferry services across multiple Queensland islands, including resort connections. Direct comparable as an Australian island ferry operator serving tourists and residents with RO-RO vessel designs and similar booking models.
• Torres Strait Ferries: Operates passenger and freight ferry services to Thursday Island and remote Torres Strait Island communities. Comparable as a regional Australian island/remote community ferry operator with similar resident-dependency and supply-chain roles.
• Stradbroke Ferries: Vehicle and passenger ferry service between Cleveland (Brisbane) and North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah). Closest direct comparable in terms of island vehicle ferry monopoly, Queensland location, tourism-resident mix, and RO-RO vessel operations.

Others

• Bhagwan Marine Limited (parent company): ASX-listed Australian marine solutions company that acquired Magnetic Island Ferries in April 2026. Provides direct context for parent-company strategic positioning, capital backing, and the operator's potential route to fleet synergies and expansion.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MagneticIslandFerries
• Instagraminstagram.com/magneticislandferries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/magnetic-island-ferries

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Magnetic Island Ferries