The Ferry to Phillip Island Most Day-Trippers Have Never Heard Of

Most people heading to Phillip Island drive the long way round, over the bridge at San Remo. Far fewer know there’s a passenger ferry from Stony Point, on the Mornington Peninsula, that crosses Western Port to Cowes in about 30 minutes. For a car-free day, the ferry is the easy part. Getting to the jetty, and home again, is where a pre-booked Hastings taxi earns its place. 

This guide covers the sailings, the fares, what you can realistically do on each island without a car, and how to plan the land legs so you’re not stranded at a quiet station. 

What the ferry is and where it leaves from 

Western Port Ferries runs a passenger catamaran from Stony Point Jetty, 1 Stony Point Road, Crib Point. The jetty sits close to Stony Point station, the last stop on the Stony Point train line. 

From Stony Point there are two routes: 

• To Tankerton, on French Island: about 15 minutes 
• To Cowes, on Phillip Island: about 30 minutes 

It’s a passenger-only service, so there’s no taking the car across. Bikes travel with their riders for an extra fare, and dogs on a leash ride free on the outside decks. 

The day in numbers 

Here’s the current Stony Point to Phillip Island timetable, as published by Western Port Ferries. 

From 27 December to 31 January, an extra weekday sailing leaves Stony Point at 12:30pm, with an extra return from Cowes at 1:00pm. Weekday public holidays run to the Saturday timetable, and Good Friday and Christmas Day run to the Sunday timetable. 

French Island has more sailings: eight each weekday from Stony Point, between 7:10am and 7:20pm, and seven on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Return fares are double the one-way price. Times and fares are from the Western Port Ferries timetable and fares page, checked 4 November 2026. The operator can change them without notice, so check before you travel. 

Why the train alone doesn’t cover the trip 

On paper, the Stony Point line is perfect: it runs from Frankston to Stony Point station, a short walk from the jetty. In practice, a few things get in the way: 

• Gaps between trains. It’s a single-track line, and trains typically run every 90 to 120 minutes. Miss one, and you can miss your sailing. 
• No all-night service. Unlike much of Melbourne’s train network, the Stony Point line doesn’t run through the night on Friday nights and weekends. 
• Replacement buses. When works are on, buses replace trains, and Metro’s notices say bikes, surfboards and dogs aren’t allowed on them. 

None of this means you shouldn’t take the train. It means you should check the PTV journey planner for your travel day, and line up the train times with the sailing you want before you leave home. 

French Island or Phillip Island: what a day on foot looks like 

The two islands offer very different days, especially without a car. 

Phillip Island (Cowes). The ferry lands at Cowes, the island’s main town. Shops, cafes and the beach are all within easy walking distance. The island’s big attractions are a different story: the Penguin Parade, the Nobbies and the Grand Prix circuit are all well beyond walking distance from Cowes. If they’re on your list, plan your own transport on the island before you go, because that’s not something we provide. 

French Island. Most of French Island is national park, with no public transport. It suits walkers and cyclists who are happy to be self-sufficient. Bring water, food and a plan, and check what’s available on the island before you travel. 

Where a Hastings taxi fits into the day 

A taxi isn’t the whole trip. It’s the leg that the train can’t always cover. It tends to make the most sense for: 

• Early sailings, when the first useful train from your suburb won’t get you to the jetty in time 
• Families, with children, bags, prams or beach gear 
• Seniors using the free weekend ferry fare, who’d rather not juggle train connections 
• Groups, who can travel together in a maxi taxi carrying up to 11 passengers 
• The trip home, when a late return or a long gap until the next train leaves you waiting at the station 

We pick up from Hastings and across the peninsula, including Somerville and Frankston, where many Melbourne travellers change trains. Wheelchair-accessible options are also available. Book a Hastings taxi in advance online, or call our 24/7 line on 1300 110 440, and tell us your sailing time so we can plan the pick-up around it. 

Two sample day plans 

These are built on the current timetable. Check it again before you book, and remember the operator asks passengers to be at the jetty at least 10 minutes before departure. 

A weekday in Cowes 

1. Pre-booked taxi to Stony Point Jetty, arriving by about 10:30am 
2. 10:45am sailing to Cowes, landing about 11:15am 
3. Lunch, the beach and a wander around town 
4. Return on the 3:20pm sailing, or the 6:00pm if you want a longer afternoon 
5. Taxi home from the jetty, booked for your arrival time 

A Sunday in Cowes 

1. Pre-booked taxi to the jetty, arriving by about 10:00am 
2. 10:15am sailing to Cowes 
3. A few hours in town 
4. Return on the 3:05pm sailing, or the 5:35pm, which is the last of the day 
5. Taxi home, or a train if the timing works 

If you’re going to French Island instead, the weekday sailings start earlier, from 7:10am. That suits a full day of walking or cycling, with a taxi to the jetty before the first useful train. 

The traps to plan around 

• Weather and tide. Western Port Ferries says weather, sea conditions and tides can affect operations, and it can’t guarantee every sailing. Check its service updates on the morning you travel, and again before your return. 
• Limited onboard tickets. The operator recommends booking online, as only limited tickets are sold on board. 
• Bikes. Storage is limited, so book your bike’s place online with your own ticket. 
• Parking. If you do drive to Stony Point, street parking is available but not secure, and the operator takes no responsibility for parked cars. 
• The last-sailing maths. On a Saturday, the last ferry from Cowes leaves at 5:25pm. Miss it, and you’re on Phillip Island for the night or facing a very long drive around. Build in a buffer. 
• Summer holidays. The extra 27 December to 31 January sailing is a good sign of peak demand, so book both your ferry and your taxi ahead. 

The same plan-ahead habit applies to other car-free trips on the peninsula. Our guide to getting around Rosebud on holiday without a car covers it from a different angle, and if your trip starts or ends with a flight, see what time to book your airport taxi. 

FAQs 

Is there a ferry from the Mornington Peninsula to Phillip Island? 

Yes. Western Port Ferries runs a passenger ferry from Stony Point Jetty in Crib Point to Cowes on Phillip Island. The crossing takes about 30 minutes, with four or five sailings a day depending on the day of the week. 

Can you take a car on the Stony Point ferry? 

No. It’s a passenger-only service. Bikes travel with their riders for an extra fare, and dogs on a leash can travel on the outside decks. 

How do I get to the Stony Point ferry without driving? 

Take the Stony Point line train from Frankston to Stony Point station, then walk to the jetty. Trains are often 90 to 120 minutes apart, so check the timetable, or book a taxi to the jetty if the times don’t line up. 

Can I book a Hastings taxi to the ferry terminal? 

Yes. You can book online or call 1300 110 440, any time of day. Give us your sailing time and we’ll plan the pick-up, and you can book the return trip for your arrival back at Stony Point. 

Can I take my bike on the ferry? 

Yes, for a bicycle fare. Storage is limited, so book online ahead of time. Note that bikes aren’t allowed on train replacement buses. 

What happens if my sailing is cancelled? 

Check the Western Port Ferries service updates page on the day, and contact the operator about your ticket. If you’ve booked a taxi, call us so we can move your pick-up. 

Book your ride to Stony Point 

The ferry is the scenic part of the day. Let us handle the bit either side of it. Book a Hastings taxi to or from Stony Point Jetty online, or call Mornington Peninsula Cabs on 1300 110 440. 

Book a Hastings taxi.  

Note: Re-check the timetable and fares in publish week. The operator can change them without notice.