Searoad Ferries has opened its new Sorrento Ferry Terminal to the public after 10 years of planning and a $30 million self-funded investment.
One of the most complex marine builds undertaken in Victoria, the Sorrento Ferry Terminal features a glass observatory floor, an iconic spiral staircase, and a coastal Mediterranean restaurant named ONDA.
Constructed on pylons above Port Phillip Bay, the landmark structure is one of Australia’s only permanent buildings established fully over water, designed as a sculptural response to its seaside surroundings.
Designed by F2 Architecture and delivered by Maben Group, the new terminal redefines the ferry experience between the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas, transforming what was once a simple crossing into a destination in its own right.
The project has been entirely funded by Searoad Ferries and delivered in partnership with local Victorian builders, contractors, engineers, designers and suppliers, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to regional investment and job creation.
Beyond transport, the Terminal introduces ONDA, Sorrento’s only dining experience built directly on the water. The 150-seat restaurant – 100 inside, 50 on the deck – offers unobstructed water views from every table and will be open for diners in mid-March.
The development follows the global success of Searoad’s Queenscliff Terminal, also designed by F2 Architecture, which in 2024 achieved international and national acclaim including the International Architectural Masterprize, the Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Award and the National Master Builders Award.
“The design of the Sorrento Ferry Terminal is a sculptural response inspired by the natural and man-made character of the unique coastal setting,” F2 Architecture’s Franco Fiorentini said. “The building engages with the historic Sorrento Pier to celebrate place, passage, and the historically important link between the heads.”
“Building entirely on water is complex, highly regulated and technically demanding,” Searoad Ferries CEO Matt McDonald said. “This has been ten years in the making. 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 $30 million 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.”
Delivered by Maben Group, the construction required specialist marine expertise and staged delivery above tidal waters.
“Maben is honoured to have collaborated with Searoad Ferries and F2 Architecture to construct this exceptional facility,” Maben Group director Damien Marasco said. “We worked closely with specialised subcontractors and industry experts to deliver a project that prioritises quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. We are proud to be an integral component of this landmark, community-focused project for the Mornington Peninsula.”
Fully accessible gangways were engineered and delivered by Crib Point Engineering, drawing on more than 60 years of specialist marine fabrication expertise.
ONDA, led by executive chef Mike Jaques and head chef Toby Marks, brings a coastal Mediterranean-inspired offering to Sorrento, further establishing the terminal as a destination rather than a departure point.
“Dining directly on the water changes everything,” executive chef Mike Jaques said. “You can hear the bay and you can see the movement beneath you. ONDA is about quality local and seasonal produce, in a truly unmatched space.”
ONDA centres on seafood, wood-fired pizzas and spritzes. The produce-led menu is designed for locals and Melbourne day-trippers and interstate visitors alike.
Searoad Ferries moves close to one million passengers annually and employs over 300 people across Victoria. The Searoad Ferries Sorrento Terminal represents a significant private investment in maritime infrastructure, architectural design and the experience of travel itself.
