At a glance
- Who it’s for
- Anyone planning a CityCat or cross-river ferry trip in Brisbane, especially with a dog, a bike or a scooter
- What to do now
- Check the time before you bring a dog (off-peak only), tap on and off with a contactless card, and skip the Bulimba terminal until mid-December 2026
- Dogs
- Off-peak only: 8.30am to 3.30pm and 7pm to 6am Monday to Friday, and all day on weekends
- Last checked
- 8 November 2026 (AEST), on Brisbane City Council’s CityCats and ferries page
- Not yet confirmed
- Fares and timetables are on the Translink site and are not covered here; the Council page gives no fare amounts
You can take a dog on a Brisbane CityCat or ferry, but only in off-peak hours, and a bike, scooter or e-mobility device travels free if there is space. You can pay by tapping on and off with a Visa or Mastercard contactless card. These are the rules on Brisbane City Council’s CityCats and ferries page as of 8 November 2026.
Can I take my dog on a CityCat or ferry?
Yes, with conditions. Council says dogs are only allowed to travel during off-peak times, which it lists as 8.30am to 3.30pm and 7pm to 6am, Monday to Friday, and all day on weekends. The other conditions on the page:
- The dog must be on a lead and wearing a muzzle, or be in an enclosed carrier
- You must keep control of your dog
- Dogs must stay outside the ferry cabin
- Owners must carry waste bags to clean up any dog mess
- A maximum of 2 dogs per person are allowed at a time
Council also says that, because of capacity or other operational reasons, ferry staff may ask you to wait for another service. The page points to Translink for the acceptable types of muzzles and carriers. Taking a dog is free.
What about assistance animals?
Your approved assistance animal can travel on CityCats and ferries. Council says your dog must be accredited under the Guide Hearing and Assistance Dog Act (2009), and your animal must be identified with a Translink Assistance Animal Pass or an interstate assistance animal accreditation. To apply for a Translink Assistance Animal Pass, you can visit the Translink site or phone 13 12 30.
Can I bring a bike, scooter or e-mobility device?
Council says you can take your approved assistance animal, dog, bike or e-mobility device for free on all CityCats and ferries. For bikes, scooters and e-mobility devices the condition is space: if there is enough space, you can take them on at the Master’s discretion. In other words, the crew decides on the day.
How do I pay for a CityCat or ferry?
CityCats and ferries are paid services. Council says smart ticketing is available, so you can tap on and tap off using a Visa or Mastercard contactless card or smart device.
| Way to pay | What Council says |
|---|---|
| Contactless card or smart device | Tap on and tap off with a Visa or Mastercard |
| go card | Still accepted |
| Pre-paid paper ticket | Still accepted, but you cannot buy one onboard. Fare machines are at busways, train stations and major interchanges |
| Concession fare, or a trip that includes a bus | Keep using your go card, or buy a paper ticket as usual |
The page gives no fare amounts and sends you to Translink for ticketing and fares. For how fares work across the network, see our go card and contactless fares guide.
Which routes are there?
| Service | Route | When |
|---|---|---|
| CityCat, all stops (F1) | The University of Queensland (UQ) St Lucia to Northshore Hamilton | Daily |
| Express CityCat (F11) | Apollo Road and Riverside | Weekday peak periods |
| Express CityCat (F12) | West End and QUT Gardens Point | Weekday peak periods |
| Cross River ferry (F21) | Bulimba to Teneriffe | Regular all-day frequency |
| Cross River ferry (F22) | Dockside to Sydney Street | Regular all-day frequency |
| Cross River ferry (F23) | Holman Street to Riverside | Regular all-day frequency |
| Cross River ferry (F24) | Maritime Museum to QUT Gardens Point | Regular all-day frequency |
Council operates 24 CityCats and 5 KittyCats, and says a network of 22 terminals stretches from UQ St Lucia to Northshore Hamilton. The CityCat fleet has wheelchair and pram access, toilet facilities onboard and open decks. Full timetables are on the Translink site.
Is any terminal closed?
Yes. Council says the Bulimba ferry terminal will be closed from 9 November until mid-December 2026 while works are carried out on the Bulimba peninsula. Our Bulimba terminal closure guide covers the alternatives.
What else does Council’s page cover?
The page links to Council pages on accessibility, safety tips, lost property and free off-peak travel for seniors on Council buses, CityCats and ferries. We have not summarised those pages here.
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Brisbane City Council or Translink.
Sources
- Brisbane City Council: CityCats and ferries (read 8 November 2026)