The Original Tea Gardens Ferry

Pro

Capacity: 80 guestsCategory: Boats

Highlights

Fleet of restored timber ferries for exclusive group charters, with MV Tamboi Queen seating groups of up to 80 guests
Self-catered dry hire, or add catering such as high tea, a grazing board or a seafood sizzle
Charters board at the Nelson Bay public wharf or the Tea Gardens ferry wharf on the Myall River

About The Original Tea Gardens Ferry

The Original Tea Gardens Ferry runs the daily crossing between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens, and the same fleet of timber vessels can be hired outright for a private group. The boats are heritage ferries that the owners have spent years restoring, so a charter feels more like a step back in time than a modern party cruiser. There are four vessels to choose between. MV Wallamba is a shallow-draft river launch suited to around 25 guests, MV Jesse is a Huon pine ferry taking up to 40, MV Tea Gardens carries up to 60 and has wheelchair access, and MV Tamboi Queen handles groups of up to 80. Each private charter runs for up to three hours with a crew of two on board. Food and drinks are flexible. You can treat the charter as a dry hire and bring your own refreshments, or ask the team to organise catering, from a morning high tea or a ploughman's lunch through to a grazing board or a sunset seafood sizzle. Styling and decorating can also be arranged on request. The ferry team pitches its charters at corporate functions, sporting and social clubs, family reunions and private celebrations. Cruises can take in the open water of Port Stephens Marine Park, where dolphins are often seen around the bow, or wind up the Myall River past mangroves and birdlife. Send an enquiry through Party Hero with your group size and preferred vessel.

Inclusions & amenities

Vessel Type

CruiserLarge Function Boat

Features

Relaxed Vibe

Location

Port Stephens

Food & Drinks

BYO FoodBYO DrinksCatering Available

Facilities

Wheelchair Accessible

Pricing

The Original Tea Gardens Ferry quotes charters as a total rather than an hourly rate. Self-catered dry hire for up to 3 hours is $1,320 on MV Wallamba (up to 25 guests), $1,980 on MV Tea Gardens and $2,200 on MV Tamboi Queen (up to 80 guests), and MV Jesse is listed at $1,650 for up to 40.

A catered MV Wallamba river charter is $1,300 for 2.5 hours. Catering adds $25 per person for high tea or a ploughman's lunch and $30 per person for a grazing board or seafood sizzle. A $500 deposit secures the date, with the balance due 14 days before departure.

Food

Groups can self-cater on a dry hire charter or order catering through the ferry team: high tea, a ploughman's or brunch lunch, a grazing board, or a sunset seafood sizzle with local prawns and oysters. Styling and decorating can also be arranged.

Beverages

There is no bar listed on board. Guests are welcome to bring their own drinks and refreshments on a charter, and the crew simply asks that groups skip large eskies so the deck stays clear for everyone.

Wharfs & Availability

Charters board at the Nelson Bay public wharf on Victoria Parade or the Tea Gardens ferry wharf on Marine Drive. Cruises head across the marine park on Port Stephens or up the Myall River, with private charters running for up to 3 hours and a 2.5-hour option on MV Wallamba.

Frequently asked questions

How many guests can The Original Tea Gardens Ferry take on a private charter?

It depends on the vessel. MV Wallamba suits about 25 guests, MV Jesse up to 40, MV Tea Gardens up to 60 and MV Tamboi Queen up to 80, so most group sizes can be matched to a boat.

Can we bring our own food and drinks on a charter?

Yes. The dry hire option is self-catered, so your group can bring its own refreshments. The crew asks that large eskies are left at home, and catering can be added instead if you prefer.

What catering does the ferry offer for groups?

Group catering options include a high tea, a ploughman's or brunch lunch, a grazing board and a sunset seafood sizzle, each priced per guest on top of the charter fee.

Is any of the fleet suitable for guests using a wheelchair?

MV Tea Gardens is set up for wheelchair access and has a standard flush toilet, so it is the vessel to request if anyone in your group needs mobility assistance.

Where do the charters depart from?

Charters board at the public wharf on Victoria Parade in Nelson Bay or at the ferry wharf on Marine Drive in Tea Gardens, with check-in starting 15 minutes before departure.

Suitable occasions

Corporate Event Reunion

Reviews

See all reviews for The Original Tea Gardens Ferry on Google

Glenn Mickle

3 months ago

Great little cruise from Nelson Bay to Tea Gardens. Terrific crew. Wonderful views, particularly on our return trip.

Erica Scott

4 months ago

We were lucky enough to travel on this lovely ferry last weekend, the trip was amazing and we were fortunate enough to meet the owner on the return trip from Tea Tree Gardens where she regaled us with her stories and how…

Tracey Press

6 months ago

We had a very pleasant trip on board the ferry. It was easy to book online and they welcomed us and our 2 dogs onboard for the trip to and from Nelson Bay. We sat out the back and enjoyed the fresh air and views. We even…

Roger Dawson

a year ago

My family and I took the 11.30 ferry trip to Tea Gardens on Sunday 31 August. Really nice welcome from crew, lovely old ferry with an interesting history. The one hour trip was very relaxing with excellent commentary f…

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