Passenger ferry carriage rules, from
SeaLink Bay Islands's
Non-Passenger Travel Conditions (Freight),
effective 29 September 2025.
Checked on 5 September 2026.
Bay Buddy is not SeaLink, and the crew have the final say.
Whatever you can carry, in one trip.
You may bring what you can comfortably and safely carry on board yourself.
You cannot board more than once to load things
— including shopping. One boarding, one load.
Not permitted at all
- Anything longer than 2.4m, such as carpet rolls
- Whitegoods, air conditioners, hot water systems
- Furniture — except flat pack, which must be on a trolley
- Glass sheets, picture frames with glass, fish tanks, windows, unwrapped mirrors
- Generators, large compressors, welders
- Large car parts — bumpers, windows, doors, panels — and motorbikes
- Empty jerry cans and gas bottles
- Lawn mowers, and large petrol or diesel machinery
- Engines, apart from outboard motors up to 15HP on a trolley
- Beach trolleys
Dangerous goods travel on the vehicle ferry only, and
have done since 5 October 2021. That includes fuel — even an
empty jerry can.
Vehicle ferry fares and info →
Allowed, with conditions
Everything must be clean and in good condition, and the Ferry Master has the final say — especially on busy services.
Televisions
- Flat screen only, boxed or wrapped
Tools and machinery
- Electric items and machinery
- Petrol or diesel items — empty of fuel, and in new or good condition
- Outboard motors — empty of fuel, up to 15HP, secured on a trolley
- Portable air compressors — empty of fuel and air pressure before boarding
Building materials
- Lengths not on a trolley: up to 2.4m, bundles up to 30cm across
- One bag of cement, on a trolley
- Tiles, paint and small boxes — must go on in one boarding, or on a trolley
Tyres and wheels
- One tyre or wheel, on a trolley, within the trolley's dimensions
Bikes and e-scooters
- Stored on the front deck or in the cabin as the crew direct, and strapped down
- Limited numbers per ferry
From 1 December 2025 SeaLink cap these: 8 e-scooters per trip (6 on busy services) on the bow or aft deck, and 4 e-bikes (2 when busy) on the bow deck. No charging on board, and a damaged device can be refused. SeaLink's terms.
Prams
- Only when actually in use by a parent with children
Wheelchairs and mobility aids
- Space allowed for one is 800mm by 1300mm
Dogs and animals
- Dogs must be muzzled, on a lead and caged, and meet the crew's dog policy
- Carry a waste bag where the crew can see it as you board, and clean up after your dog
- A dog can be refused if it is wet, smelly, sandy, or in any state that might bother other passengers
- The Ferry Master can put a dog off, or limit how many travel — on a school service, for instance
- Every other animal must be in a cage
Assistance dogs are exempt from the muzzling and containment rules.
Summarised in good faith, but the crew decide on the day. When it matters, read SeaLink's conditions or call 07 3488 5300.