SeaLink North Queensland travel policies

Passengers are welcome to travel with carry-on luggage at the time of boarding, while complying with our Carriage of Dangerous Goods Policy, Size & Weight Guide and Additional Requirements detailed below.

• The number of carry-on luggage items permitted is restricted to the amount a passenger can carry in one trip to the vessel during boarding.

• Passengers with mobility aids, medical supplies, prams, porta-cots, and children’s car seats will be permitted to carry these items in addition to their luggage, with crew assistance where required.

• Suitcases, bags, prams & mobility aids can be stored inside the passenger cabins, subject to available space. All other types of luggage must be transported on the outer decks. Please ask our friendly crew for any clarification.

• Passengers are responsible for managing their own luggage within the terminal as well as on the vessel. Card-operated luggage lockers are available in our Townsville terminal 6am-6pm (Mon – Sat) and 6am – 4.30pm (Sun).

• SeaLink accepts no responsibility for loss of, or damage to luggage, or for consequential damages arising there from whether sustained during off-loading or transportation, and whether arising from negligence, malfunction of the vessel or other cause, except to the extent that the exclusion of such liability is prohibited by law.

• All luggage must be stowed in accordance with the crew’s directions and must not restrict access to safety equipment, aisles or emergency exits.

• SeaLink reserves the right to refuse to carry luggage that does not comply with our policies, or due to limited available space on our vessels.

Luggage size & weight guide

• Each piece of luggage and carry on item should meet the following requirements:

• Maximum weight: 20kg.

Specialty items

Up to a maximum of 2 meters is allowable on board (i.e. blinds, curtain rods etc.)

Mobility Scooters

• Mobility scooters must be registered (have a registration plate attached to device).
• One allocated space of 130cm x 80cm per service as per Department of Transport and Main Roads standards.
• Dimensions L = 130cm W = 75cm H = 150cm.
• The carriage of more than 1 mobility scooter is subject to available deck space.

Passenger Trolleys

Beach Trolleys

• Foldable beach trolleys are permitted but they must be emptied and folded prior to boarding and stowed safely on board.
• Beach trolleys are required to be empty and folded prior to boarding the vessel.
• Folded beach trolleys and any additional items are to be placed in the designated area on board as directed by the crew.

Upright Trolleys:

• Upright trolleys with small base dimensions are permitted to travel on board our ferries (eg: hand trolleys, stock trolleys, market trolleys).
• Upright trolleys, including their contents, must meet the Size & Weight Guide in our Luggage Policy listed above.

Personal Transport Devices - Bicyles, scooters, skateboards (including electric)

These items are permitted only as carry-on items, with the following conditions:

• These items will be stored on outer decks and are permitted subject to available deck space only. Customers concerned about sea spray need to consider bringing their own cover.
• They must be secured by owner on boarding.
• Riding of these items during boarding, disembarkation or voyage is NOT permitted. Maximum 30kg in weight.
• They must be within the following dimensions L = 180cm W = 50cm H = 130cm
• Bicycle trailers and animal prams are not permitted - please refer also to our Control of Animals Policy.
• Due to the fire risk of e-bicycles, e-scooters, e-skateboards, note additional conditions below:

-Damaged electric items are not permitted.

-Electric items must be switched off during boarding, disembarkation and voyage.

-Charging of these electric items is not permitted on board SeaLink vessels or at SeaLink terminals.

• Boxed bikes, scooters, skateboards only permitted if they comply with the size and weight guide.
• Subject to available deck space.

Items with additional requirements

Animals & Pets

Refer to our Control of Animals Policy. Assistance and service animals are exempt from muzzling, containment and seating restrictions outlined in the Policy.

Televisions

Boxed or wrapped TV’s <55 inch are permitted as freight items and must fit within the dimensions of our trolley’s on our dedicated freight service: L= 140cm W = 60cm H = 80cm.

Tyres

Light vehicle passenger car / SUV / Light 4WD and bike tyres are all permitted if wrapped and <20kg without rims and checked in on dedicated freight services. Limit 1 per passenger.

Batteries

New, boxed dry cell batteries are permitted within size and weight guidelines.

Fishing equipment

• Lures and hooks must be removed (or covered) from fishing rods prior to boarding.
• Spear guns and spears are to be handed to vessel crew during boarding for safe stowage.

In addition, any sharp objects must be stored in a safe and appropriate manner as directed by crew.

Surf Boards | Nipper boards | Kite boards (dismantled in bag)

These are permitted on board our non-peak services and must be secured once on our vessel.

• All surfboards or kite boards cannot exceed 2 meters in length.
• Clearly identifiable Surf Life Saving Club boards are not to exceed 3.2 meters in length.
• Subject to available deck space and must travel on non-peak services.
  

Groups

People travelling together with multiple carry-on items are to contact our friendly team for available options to ensure a comfortable travel experience (e.g: school groups, tour groups).

NOT PERMITTED On board SeaLink Vessels

Bulky or Awkward items, for example:

• Kayaks/ Surf Skis
• Oil based paint
• Glass panels / Windscreens
• Furniture and large appliances / white goods
• Bikes, scooters greater than 30kg
• Bike trailers
• Cement and plaster bags
• Fertiliser/pot plants (seedlings contained in small box allowed)
• Any used unboxed car parts
• Unwrapped tyres / tyres with RIMS
• Wet cell batteries
• All Used equipment/machinery
• Any new machinery containing fuel or engine oil
• Generator
• Barbecue
• Air conditioners
• Sharp objects (fishing equipment permitted as outlined above)

Items or substances classed as Dangerous Goods - refer to SeaLink’s Carriage of Dangerous Goods Policy listed below for details.

SeaLink’s freight service is available for:

• Passengers travelling with excess luggage items (i.e: items in excess of what can be carried in one trip to the vessel).
• Customers wanting to send items unaccompanied to/from Magnetic Island.

Dedicated freight services to and from Magnetic Island are:

Townsville departures:

• Monday to Saturday - 7:00am | 8:45am | 2:15pm
  
• Sunday - 8.45am only

Nelly Bay departures:

• Monday to Saturday - 7:45am | 9:30am | 3:00pm
• Sunday - 9:30am only

Freight check-in counter closes strictly 20 minutes prior to departure on dedicated services listed above.

Freight items must comply with our Carriage of Dangerous Goods Policy, Size & Weight Guide and Additional Requirements listed on our Luggage Policy listed in the above section.

Animals are not accepted as freight – refer to our Control of Animals Policy.

Bikes, scooters (including e-bikes, e-scooters) are not accepted as freight – refer to our Luggage Policy listed in the above section.

Freight fees will apply and a consignment note must be completed, please find more information listed below.

Freight pricing

*Price effective from the 1st of February 2026.

Freight consignment forms

Please download and complete a freight consignment form here:

Townsville to Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island to Townsville

The following MUST NOT be carried

Corrosive and Toxic substances, examples:

• acid
• industrial cleaners
• pool chlorine
• wet cell batteries
• oil based paint

Flammable, combustible, explosive and oxidising substances or items containing these, examples:

• compressed gas bottles (examples: LPG/BBQ gas bottles, scuba tanks, helium tanks, oxy-acetylene tanks for welding)
• fuel
• engine oil
• combustion engines
• machinery that contains or would have contained oil, fuel, or gas

Radioactive materials, examples:

• cobalt
• plutonium
• uranium

Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods, examples:

• solid dry ice
• asbestos products
• ammonium nitrate fertilisers

Firearm

Important Notice: Firearm Transport Policy Update
Please note that SeaLink no longer permits the transport of firearms on any of our vessels. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we continue to prioritise the safety and comfort of all passengers.

Exceptions/ Additional Requirements

Dry Batteries or Sealed Batteries (non-spill-able)

The below acceptable battery types are not considered as dangerous goods as per the below images:

• Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM)
• Non Spillable
• Dry or Dry Cell
• Gel Cell
• Sealed Lead Acid (SLA)
• Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VLRA)

Medical Oxygen Cylinders

A passenger requiring medical oxygen to maintain their wellbeing are permitted to travel with their oxygen tank.

Persons transporting medical oxygen for refilling, must book on to a designated ferry run (NOT an identified peak ferry service)

Water Based Paint

New tins are allowable as they are.

Used tins mast have lids that are securely fastened, and clean on the outside of the tin.

Jerry Cans

Clean, empty jerry cans that are sealed appropriately are permitted.

To ensure passenger, staff and crew safety, a person in charge of an animal must have control of the animal at all times while on SeaLink premises.

People with animals are required to wait for a ferry in the designated outdoor seating area, they are not permitted to wait around high transit areas, such as alongside doorways and gateways.

Requirements when waiting in the terminal, boarding a ferry and when seated on board a ferry with a pet or other animal:

• Animals that are not clean, appear vicious or likely to annoy, threaten or inconvenience other customers will not be allowed on a vessel.

• Dogs must be wearing a muzzle (refer below) and are required to sit on the outer decks (dogs too small for a muzzle are to comply to the next point). Travel in enclosed ferry cabins may be permitted if weather conditions or proximity to larger dogs do not permit safe travel on outer decks.

• Animals other than dogs must be restrained in a suitable box, basket or other container at all times while on board the ferry (including dogs that are too small for a muzzle).

• If an animal becomes too noisy or bothers other passengers a crew member can request the animal be relocated to another area on the ferry.

• Animals are not allowed on seats and must not obstruct passageways.

• Passengers should keep their animal away from other travelling animals to ensure the safety and comfort of other passengers and pets.

• Animals will not be carried as freight and must be with their owner for the duration of travel.

• Carriage of animals is subject to available deck space.

Dogs & Muzzles

Dogs must be muzzled and restrained at all times whilst inside the terminal, in outdoor waiting areas and on board a vessel.

Dog owners need to make sure that the muzzle they buy will fit their dog’s snout.

SeaLink North Queensland sells soft adjustable muzzles in the sales terminal and on board all ferries. Dogs that are too small to fit a muzzle, are to be contained within a suitable box, basket or other container, as described above.

Restraints which act as a muzzle only when a dog pulls on their lead (eg: Halti) are not acceptable types of muzzle. Dogs presenting through the terminal or for boarding with such restraints will be denied travel, access through the terminal or to outdoor waiting areas.

Native animals

Where native animals are accompanied by an accredited and trained handler, they are permitted to travel inside the ferry cabin. Handlers are required to abide by the control & containment requirements as outlined in sections above for pets.

Livestock

Livestock such as goats and pigs will not be carried. Chickens, ducks and similar are allowed as long as they are in a suitable container as outlined in sections above. They must not travel in enclosed ferry cabin areas unless weather conditions do not permit safe travel on outer decks.

Exceptions - assistance animals

Assistance animals, security animals, police animals and those animals in training are allowed throughout SeaLink North Queensland terminals and ferries.
Seating restrictions, containment and muzzling requirements do not apply.

Assistance animals are to wear an easily recognisable coat, harness, collar or lead. Passengers accompanied by an assistance dog, including trainers, are to also carry an identity card should the crew request this. TransLink Assistance Animal Application forms can be found here.

In accordance with the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act (GHAD) 2009, certified guide, hearing and assistance dogs do not have to be registered to travel with TransLink or SeaLink services.

Where animals are not registered guide, hearing or assistance dogs under the GHAD Act, but do provide assistance to the passenger to alleviate the effects of disability, a passenger must register their animal with TransLink prior to travelling to ensure access to all TransLink services.

Animals and owners who do not abide by this policy, will be denied access to the terminal and on board the ferries.

Guests must still hold a valid SeaLink ticket when travelling. An additional ticket is not required for the assistance animal.