The Wyndham Explorer was the name given to a ferry that started servicing Wyndham Harbour in Werribee South to Docklands in early 2016. The operators of the service, Port Phillip Ferries, were disappointed with the low patronage from the Wyndham Harbour service as it struggled to compete with the existing train services to Werribee.
In August 2016 the operators of the ferry started a trail service to Portarlington much to the joy of residents of the Bellarine Peninsula.
The trial timetable saw the Portarlington service catering for those who commute to Melbourne for work during the day, as well as a service on weekends. The trip itself takes 1 hour 30 mins to reach Victoria Harbour in Docklands. With tickets costing 12.50 each way, the Portarlington service not only competes on price but also on travel time with the Geelong train if you take into account the hassle of driving from the Bellarine to Geelong to catch the train.
The ferry itself is a 35 metre Catamaran that was originally built as the Capricornia Dancer for the Gladstone to Curtis Island service in Queensland. Delivered in September 2011 the vessel was the first of 5 sister ships that operated out of Gladstone. Known as an Enviro-Cat, the ships were built by Aluminium Boats Australia in Brisbane and are powered by 4 Scania engines that are each rated at 499kW at 2,275rpm. The ships are said to have a low wake, low emissions and ultra-low fuel consumption despite having a maximum speed of 36 knots. On board, there is seating for 400 people in a pleasant undercover and air-conditioned environment.
It has been suggested that to make the service viable, at least 300 passengers need to use the service on each crossing. By November 2016 the state government announced that the service would be supported for the next 3 years, In December 2017 a purpose built ferry known as the Bellarine Express was launched to become a permanent addition to Port Philip Bay. Built by Incat in Tasmania, this new 35m catamaran will offer more facilities and a slightly faster service than the Wyndham Explorer.
Interestingly, Portarlington has been home to ferries several times over the years and there have been several calls to bring them back. From the 1840s to the 1940s, ferries known as the Bay Steamers were a familiar sight on our bays. Fast-forward to 1987 and a hovercraft known as the Courier made its way across the bay, linking Port Melbourne and Rosebud for a brief period. A Catamaran known as the Eye Spy also had a try at the Melbourne to Portarlington route in 2014. Several studies and proposals have called for the ferries return over the years, and the Portarlington Safe Harbour Project even factored in ferry berths in the design. Today, the company behind the new Portarlington ferry are also looking to expand with services from Melbourne to Geelong. A new ferry known as the Geelong Flyer was launched in December 2019 to supplement the Bellarine Express, as The Wyndham Explorer was returned to Gladstone at the end of her lease and has returned to her Capricorn Dancer name.
