The company

THE COMPANY

Sea SA Pty Lty began operations in December 2006 as the first ferry service across the Spencer Gulf, west of Adelaide, linking the Yorke Peninsula at Wallaroo with the Eyre Peninsula at Lucky Bay, near Cowell.

Many attempts had been made previously to establish such as a service. In 1958 a hovercraft had been proposed but did not eventuate. After more than 3 years of pre-planning, Sea SA was approved by the South Australian government in early 2006. Construction of basic interim terminal facilities commenced in August 2006, providing ticket offices and Visitor Inforation facilities on both sides plus a cafe at Lucky Bay.

Sea SA was officially opened on 18th December 2006 by the Minister for Tourism and Education, The Honourable Jane Lomax-Smith MP, on the Wallaroo (Yorke Peninsula) side, and by the District Council of Franklin Harbour Chairman, Councillor Eddie Elleway, on the Lucky Bay (Eyre Peninsula) side.

In just under 3 years of operation, Sea SA has carried in excess of 190,000 passengers and more than 80,000 vehicles,exceeding all targets. A modern charter vessel, Sea Way, was used during the first months of service, but a purpose-built vessel designed for Spencer Gulf waters, Sea Spirit 1, was launched in March 2008. An updated,refined and improved ferry, Aurora, is currently being built and is expected to commence operations in mid to late 2010. Sea Spirit was consequently sold in August 2009. The charter vessel, Sea Way, proposed to be used by Sea SA until delivery of Aurora in mid-2010, unfortunately changed hands just prior to Sea SA taking possession, and was subsequently removed from the market by new owners in Abu Dhabi.

Sea SA is proud to have achieved the 2006 annual AUSMEPA (Australian Marine Environment Protection Association) award for its potential to save more than 25,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually from road traffic by providing a cross-Gulf alternative to the lengthy round-Gulf car trip.

Through Sea SA Getaways, the company also offers package 'cruise / drive / stay' holidays on the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas, including accommodation, discount ferry transfers and tours.

Click here to learn more about our new vessel Sea Spirit