A NEW $30m ferry terminal built entirely over water has opened in Sorrento, marking the completion of a decade-long project on Port Phillip Bay and introducing a new gateway for travellers between the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas.
The facility, developed by ferry operator Searoad Ferries, sits on pylons above the bay and is among the few permanent buildings in Australia constructed wholly over water.
The terminal replaces older passenger facilities and is designed to service the company’s cross-bay ferry route linking Sorrento with Queenscliff.
Designed by F2 Architecture and built by Maben Group, the project has been described by its developers as one of the more complex marine construction efforts undertaken in Victoria due to strict maritime regulations and the challenges of building above tidal waters.
Architectural features include a glass observatory floor that allows visitors to look down into the bay, a spiral staircase and large public areas overlooking the water and the nearby Sorrento Pier.
Franco Fiorentini, director at F2 Architecture, said the building’s design was shaped by its coastal setting.
“The design of the Sorrento Ferry Terminal is a sculptural response inspired by the natural and man-made character of the unique coastal setting,” he said.
“The building engages with the historic Sorrento Pier to celebrate place, passage, and the historically important link between the heads.”
The terminal also houses a new waterfront restaurant, ONDA, which opened in mid-March. The 150-seat venue offers indoor and outdoor dining with views across the bay.
Searoad Ferries chief executive Matt McDonald said the development had taken about 10 years from concept to completion.
“Building entirely on water is complex, highly regulated and technically demanding. This has been 10 years in the making,” he said.
“As a privately owned Australian company, we have backed this project because we believe in the long-term strength of regional Victoria.
“We’ve spent a decade and $30m delivering infrastructure that offers a genuine alternative to congestion, toll roads and hours behind the wheel.
“This is about giving Victorians a smarter way to move, one that takes cars off the highway and replaces traffic with 40 minutes on the water. If the experience is better, the choice becomes simple.”
Construction required specialist marine engineering and staged works above the bay. The project’s accessible gangways were engineered by Crib Point Engineering.
The restaurant component will be led by executive chef Mike Jaques and head chef Toby Marks, with a menu focused on seafood, wood-fired pizzas and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
“Dining directly on the water changes everything,” Jaques said.
“You can hear the bay and see the movement beneath you. ONDA is about quality local produce in an unmatched setting.”
Searoad Ferries carries close to one million passengers a year and employs more than 300 people across Victoria.
First published in the Mornington News – 17 March 2026