If you’re trying to decide between the MONA ferry and driving, the answer isn’t as obvious as it first seems.
I’ve visited MONA (the Museum of Old and New Art) multiple times over the years and have travelled there both by ferry and by car. After my most recent trip — where I took the ferry with my husband and toddler — I realised that how you get to MONA is actually a surprisingly big part of the experience.
If you’re wondering whether to take the ferry or drive, here’s my honest MONA ferry review with a comparison of both transport options, including costs, accessibility, my personal experiences, and recommendations for different types of travellers. I’ve also added a few tour suggestions that bundle transport and MONA entry into one easy package.
Quick summary:
Visiting MONA by ferry is fun, scenic, and great value for money — especially if you’re staying in Hobart’s CBD. Driving is slightly faster and more flexible, but less of an “experience.” Both are good options, but I think the ferry adds a memorable touch to your MONA visit.
Recommended tours:
🛳️ Hobart City Sightseeing Tour including MONA Admission – A guided overview of Hobart by coach and a visit to MONA via the ferry.
🍷 Moorilla’s Wine & Art Tour at MONA – Includes the MONA ferry, museum entry, two-course lunch at The Source, winery tour, and premium wine tasting.
⛰️ Mt Wellington Tour and MONA Admission – Visit Mt Wellington in the morning, then head to MONA with included entry.
How to get to MONA
There are two main ways to reach MONA:
- Taking the MONA ferry from Brooke Street Pier in Hobart CBD
- Driving to MONA (either with your own car or a hire car)
🛳️ You can also book a Hobart City Sightseeing Tour including MONA Admission that includes transport to the museum via the ferry plus your entry tickets.
Taking the MONA Ferry
When I was visiting family in Hobart over the recent Christmas holidays, I decided to take the ferry to MONA just for the experience — and I brought along my husband and toddler (because what 2.5-year-old doesn’t love a pointless boat ride?).
To be honest, I expected the ferry to be expensive, but it’s actually really good value: only $15 AUD (as of 2025) per person each way, and toddlers travel free.
Booking ahead
You must book your MONA Hobart ferry tickets on the MONA website before you go. I travelled on a Thursday in December (peak season, but not a weekend) and was flexible with my timing so could book same-day tickets for my trip — but I could see that the most popular departures (mid-morning to MONA, early–mid afternoon back to Hobart) were already sold out.
I’d suggest booking at least 1 day ahead, and 2+ days ahead if visiting on a weekend or public holiday. You might want to make your bookings even further in advance if you’re visiting Hobart during Dark Mofo, as this is a very popular time for the musuem.
Departing from Brooke Street Pier
The ferry leaves from Brooke Street Pier on Hobart’s waterfront. I would highly advise getting to this departure point by foot instead of car, as city parking near the pier can be annoying and expensive if you’re driving into the CBD just to catch the ferry.
Arrive at the pier around 10 minutes before departure (a little earlier if you’re keen on grabbing a good seat).
As soon as you step on board the boat, you’ll walk past the bar — which serves Moorilla wines and Moo Brew beers. My husband grabbed a glass of Pinot Gris to enjoy on the ride.
On board the ferry
The ferry has both indoor and outdoor seating. You can choose between feeling the river breeze outside or staying warm and dry inside if the weather is looking questionable.
Our toddler thoroughly enjoyed roaming the upstairs area and sitting on the iconic sheep seats (kids LOVE these). For anyone travelling with a pram or with mobility issues, the lower deck is accessible for strollers and includes an accessible toilet.
The catamaran travels quickly, so the journey is only 20–25 minutes — super efficient if you’re staying in Hobart’s CBD. And don’t be worried about seasickness — the river cruise doesn’t head out into any open water so it doesn’t feel choppy.
Arriving at MONA
Once you disembark at MONA’s jetty, you’ll face a large staircase — 99 steps up to the museum entrance.
If stairs aren’t your thing, or if you’re travelling with a stroller or mobility concerns, there’s an accessible tunnel right beside the ferry terminal that leads to a lift. We took this route with our toddler, and it was very manageable.
Driving to MONA
If you have a hire car, or you’re staying outside the CBD, driving may be the easiest option. It takes 15–20 minutes to drive to MONA from Hobart’s city centre.
As I usually stay with family when I visit Hobart, I often opt to drive simply because I already have a car available.
Driving is very straightforward. You follow the highway most of the way from the city, and the route is well signposted once you get close to MONA.
Parking
Parking at MONA is free. There’s an onsite car park right next to the museum, though it can fill up during busy periods. If that happens, there’s an overflow car park a short distance down the road. It’s about a 5-minute gentle uphill walk from there to the museum entrance.
Driving pros
- Flexible timing: you can arrive and leave whenever you want
- No need to plan ferry schedules ahead of time
- Great if you’re continuing on to other attractions around Hobart afterward
- May be more convenient for families who are juggling naps, toddler meltdowns, snack emergencies, etc.
Driving cons
- Parking can fill up early in the lot closest to the museum
- You won’t get river views or the quirky ferry experience
- The driver will have to limit drinks at the onsite winery and brewery to stay under the legal blood alcohol concentration for driving in Tasmania (0.05% BAC)
MONA ferry vs driving: Which should you choose?
If you’re staying in the CBD — take the ferry. It’s fun, scenic, convenient, and drops you right at the museum entrance.
If you won’t have access to a car — take the ferry. It’s the easiest way to get to MONA from central Hobart.
If you will have a car and are staying in the CBD — you can drive, but the ferry is still the more memorable experience. It’s part of the charm of visiting MONA.
If you’re staying outside the CBD and have a car — driving may be easier. Parking in the city centre (if you’re only going in to catch the ferry) can be a pain.
Quick comparison:
| Feature | Ferry | Driving |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $15 each way | Free (petrol only) |
| Travel time | ~25 minutes | 15–20 minutes |
| Experience | Fun, scenic, unique to MONA | Practical, nothing special |
| Best for | CBD stays, first-timers | Suburban stays, road-trippers |
| Accessibility | Ramp + lift available | Easy walk from carpark, no stairs |
| Flexibility | Set schedules, though with frequent departures | Leave whenever you want |
Tour options that include MONA entry + transport
If you’d prefer not to organise transport yourself, these tours bundle city sightseeing with popular locations such as Cascade Gardens or Mt Wellington, plus MONA admission and ferry tickets from Hobart:
⛰️ Mt Wellington Tour and MONA Admission – Visit Mt Wellington in the morning, then head to MONA with included entry.
🛳️ Hobart City Sightseeing Tour including MONA Admission – A guided overview of Hobart by coach before visiting MONA.
If you’re looking to turn your MONA visit into a full-day experience, Moorilla offers a Wine and Art Tour at MONA which includes return ferry travel from Hobart, museum entry, a two-course lunch with matched wines at The Source Restaurant, plus a behind-the-scenes winery tour and guided tasting at Moorilla Estate. This option would be ideal if you want to combine MONA with Tasmania’s food and wine scene.
🍷 Moorilla’s Wine & Art Tour at MONA – Includes the MONA ferry, museum entry, two-course lunch at The Source, winery tour, and premium wine tasting.
FAQ
Is the MONA ferry worth it?
Absolutely. It’s scenic, quirky, and part of the MONA experience.
Do you need to book the ferry in advance?
Yes — book through the MONA website. Popular times sell out fast.
Is parking at MONA free?
Yes. There’s free onsite and overflow parking.
Can you take a stroller on the ferry?
Yes. The lower deck is accessible and stroller-friendly.
Which option is better for families?
The ferry is more fun, but driving does give you more flexibility.
Which option is faster?
Driving is slightly quicker, but only by about 5–10 minutes.
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